6 Benefits of Having a Family Dentist

Family dentists offer a variety of services for your entire family. In fact, they are skilled in addressing dental issues at every stage of your life. Because children, teens, adults, and elderly patients have uniquely different dental needs, it’s important to choose a dentist that is skilled and experienced in a variety of treatments and services. Below you will find the 6 benefits of having a family dentist.

6 Benefits of Having a Family Dentist

Family dentists provide comprehensive oral care for your entire family. This can be beneficial in a number of ways. Consider the following benefits of having a family dentist.

Ease of Scheduling:

Dentists focusing on a certain specialty usually have short business hours. This can be difficult for families as family schedules can be hectic. Family dentists understand this and often offer a wide range of appointment times. They often open earlier and take later appointments to help families who have a number of patients in work, school, and other extracurricular activities.

Preventative Measures:

Family dentists understand the importance of prevention. Preventing dental issues at every stage of life is beneficial for your oral and overall health. A family dentist can assess your oral health at regular checkups and consider your family dental history. This can be highly beneficial in maintaining your oral health and avoiding preventable dental issues.

Convenience:

Family dentists offer a wide variety of services. This can be highly beneficial for busy families as a family dental clinic can essentially be a one-stop shop for the whole family. Having to visit a variety of dental offices for different treatments can be a hassle, take up a lot of time, and be an insurance nightmare. Avoid these issues by choosing a family dentist in Arcadia that can meet all of your family’s dental needs.

Treatment Options:

Dentists who are not skilled in a variety of treatments may not be able to give you all of your options. There is often more than one treatment option for the same dental issue. A family dentist can provide you a variety of treatment options as compared to dentists who are only skilled in a few treatments. Avoid getting stuck with just one option by choosing an experienced family dentist.

Comprehensive Dental History:

Visiting a family dentist can ensure that they have your family’s comprehensive dental history. Not only can the older generations help the family dentist inform them of potential issues for younger patients, but the comprehensive dental history can be a valuable resource for your family dentist. This can help with early detection when it comes to your oral health which can save you time, money, and avoid more serious dental issues.

Patient Education:

Most patients only visit the dentist twice a year. So it remains important to ensure that your daily oral care routine stays effective. Family dentists will provide you with recommendations on oral care products. Also, they give advice and education on how to care for your teeth in between visits. Also, family dentists focus on prevention so your oral care stays in good shape for the long haul.

Family Dentist in Arcadia

If you haven’t been to the dentist in a while, or if you are looking for a new dentist, contact the team at Premier Dental Esthetics. They are skilled in a variety of treatment options, including family, restorative, cosmetic dentistry services. They also provide orthodontic treatment and have sedation dentistry options for patients who need it. No matter what your dental needs are, Premier Dental Esthetics can address the needs of you and your entire family. Contact the top dentist in Arcadia today to schedule an appointment!


How to Improve Your Kid’s Dental Visit

The importance of children’s dentistry as it pertains to their dental and overall health is clear. Taking steps to ensure your child’s dental health is in good shape is a great way to get them motivated about keeping up with their oral health for the long term. One of the challenges about getting kids to the dentist is that they may have some apprehension or fears about the dentist. Starting early and keeping your child on track with their oral health is important. Below you will find helpful ways to improve your kid’s dental visit.

How to Improve Your Kid’s Dental Visit

Adding to the list of tasks you have to do as a parent can be daunting. However, getting your child excited about their oral health when they are young can take the burden off of you in the long run. Consider the following tips to help improve your child’s next dental visit.

Start Early:

Roughly 9% of children experience dental anxiety. Getting your child familiar with the dentist at a young age can help reduce their anxiety about the dentist office. Most dentists recommend taking your child to the dentist once their first tooth erupts, or no later than their first birthday. Starting early can help ensure that the dentist can catch any potential dental issues early on, in addition to getting your child used to going to the dentist.

Play Pretend in Advance:

One of the best ways to get your child excited about the dentist is through play. Children learn by watching and modeling your behavior. Find a fun dentist toy set and start talking to your child about the importance of taking care of their oral health. This can help prepare them for the tools, sounds, and atmosphere of a dental office before their first visit.

Find a Family Dentist:

A family dentist is skilled in treating family members of all ages, including children. They understand the unique nature of working with kids. A family dentist can distract your child during the visit and get you out of the office much faster. This can be highly beneficial for your child as they will feel much more comfortable with a family dentist in Arcadia. Having a good dental visit can ensure your child wants to come back the next time without issue.

Discuss the Visit:

You’ll need to make the discussion age-appropriate, but it’s important to talk to your child about their upcoming dental visit. Use positive language about how the visit will go, the sounds they may hear, and what they may see. You can also explain how important oral health is so they understand why they need to keep going to the dentist. Getting your child familiar with the dentist and educating them on the role they have in their health can be really helpful for your child.

Letting Your Child Lead:

Children love autonomy and expressing themselves. You can let your child lead when it comes to the day of the dental appointment. They can open the door, walk-in, talk with the receptionist, and lead the way to the dentist in Arcadia. This can help them feel a sense of control over the appointment and feel empowered versus fearful. Talk with your child before and get them excited about their big day!

Celebrate Post-Appointment:

One of the best ways to get through a difficult appointment is having fun plans afterward. Plan a fun day after the appointment by heading to the park, having lunch, or going swimming. Plan something fun that your child really likes to do for after the appointment. This can help ease some anxiety and give them something to look forward to after the appointment.


How Often Should My Kid See the Dentist?

Children start developing teeth at a very early age; in fact, they even have teeth in the womb. By the time those teeth start erupting and becoming visible, you might start wondering when to take them to the dentist. It is a good idea to get them used to the dentist’s office before they are 3 years of age. But as they grow, they should continue to have their oral health monitored by a dentist. So, how often should your kid see the dentist?

How Often Should My Kid See the Dentist?

For all of those wondering, “How often should my kid see the dentist?” keep reading below. You can learn some important facts about your child’s dental health and find out how often they should pay a visit to the friendly family dentist near Pasadena.

Regular Dental Visits

Once your child grows their first tooth, try scheduling a dental appointment every 6 months. You should at least schedule a checkup a couple of times a year. This can ensure no major dental issues need to be addressed. As your child’s teeth continue to grow, you’ll need to monitor their health. Because they will start to experience new sensations in the mouth.

But don’t take a positive bill of health as a sign that your child doesn’t need to go to the dentist! Healthy teeth are great, and the best way to keep them healthy is to ensure that they are still getting checked regularly by a professional.

Children and Oral Health Issues

Children should go to the dentist every 6 months. Why? Because it is easy for an oral health issue to arise very quickly. Within a couple of months, a child can develop cavities due to tooth decay after eating too many sweets. Eating junk food and not brushing teeth thoroughly enough can lead to a myriad of issues that will only worsen over time.

This is further exacerbated by the fact that baby teeth are much more susceptible to oral health issues than adult teeth. As teeth are constantly growing and changing during the first 15 years of a child’s life, it is even more important to stay on top of their oral health routines.

Do Kids Need X-Rays with Every Visit?

Kids might not always need x-rays, but they do if there is any sign of dental damage or an area of concern that should be monitored further. During your child’s dental visit, the dentist will administer pediatric x-rays, which contain a lesser dose of radiation that can take pictures of the teeth and jaws. X-rays are safe enough to use on newborns and infants, so you can speak with your dentist about further concerns regarding the number of x-rays your child should receive per year.

Why Preventative Dentistry is Important

A lot of parents don’t find it necessary to take their child to the dentist every 6 months. Especially if their child is in good general health. Maybe their x-rays are good and tooth exams come out without a scratch. Still, it remains a good idea to invest in preventative dentistry. Doing so keeps germs and bacteria at bay. Teach your child to establish a daily oral hygiene routine that consists of brushing, flossing, and mouthwash.

Find Your Favorite Family Dentist at Smiles of Arcadia Today!

Looking for a family-friendly dentist near Pasadena who can help you figure out the best oral healthcare routine for your child? Get in touch with our staff members today to set up a personal consultation for you and your family. It’s never too early to invest in good dental health, especially when your child’s teeth are still developing. Stay on top of those changes and prevent any future oral health problems by getting in touch with your professional dentist ASAP.


Family Dentist VS. General Dentist

All dentists are extensively trained, but some of them choose to specialize in certain aspects of oral health. Knowing the difference between different kinds of medical professionals within the field of dentistry can make it much easier to ensure you’re reaching out to the right expert for your family. We could certainly describe all of these subfields at length. So what is the difference of a family dentist vs. a general dentist.

Family Dentist VS. General Dentist

We have chosen to start with a basic distinction that will help you to choose whether a family dentist or a general dentist is the right primary care provider for your household.

What Is a Family Dentist?

Family dentists specialize in taking care of entire family units from the youngest member to the oldest member. For an adult, this may not make much of a difference. But a family dentist can be incredibly beneficial for young children. A general dentist’s first and only priority is providing necessary health care. A family dentist more likely focuses on the educational aspects of oral health as well as necessary health care. This focus on education can help to teach children of all ages. They can gain the skills they need to care for their teeth in between dental visits.

In addition to teaching your children about oral health, a family dentist in Arcadia is more likely to make young and fearful children more comfortable. It isn’t that a general dentist is necessarily bad at providing that sense of security, but a family dentist usually has more practice dealing with those issues. It’s a regular part of their professional life, so most family dentists have established approaches that work with children. By providing this type of support, your dentist is increasing the likelihood that your child will not avoid dental treatment as an adult.

What Is a General Dentist?

General dentists are also highly trained professionals, but they may not be prepared to deal with young children or the elderly. Some general dentists will actually refuse to treat children simply because they aren’t the best suited for the job. You may certainly choose to stay with your general dentist after having children. But you will likely find yourself using more than one dentist to ensure that all of your family’s needs are met. This can be time-consuming and frustrating if you’re going to two different dentists every six months.

Still, general dentists are an excellent choice for adults. Especially if you want a no frills, clinical approach to dentistry. Are you well aware of proper oral hygiene habits? Then a general dentist with do a great job keeping your mouth clean and healthy. Of course, you may be lucky and find a general dentist who works with children! It is just hard to tell unless you already have a well-established relationship.

Choosing the Right Dentist for Your Household

Only you can choose the right dentist for your household, but if you’re looking for family dentistry in Arcadia, then you should keep four considerations in mind.

  • Services: Make sure that your family dentist offers all services you may need.
  • Location: Your family dentist should be a relatively easy distance away for convenience.
  • History: Look for a well-established practice with satisfied patients.
  • Temperament: Try to choose a dentist who works well with all of the members of your family.

Ultimately, you want to find a dental office that makes you and the rest of your household feel comfortable and cared for. This relationship will only build over time. As it does, it gives your family the support it needs to raise healthy and happy children. Even more important, they will understand the importance of oral health.