Family Dentistry - Take a Look at Your Family's Oral Health

A routine dental check up is a must in every one's life to maintain a good oral health. Dentistry usually encompasses treatment and supervision related to oral cavity. Oral health problems are major public health problems and in high prevalence across the globe. Conditions in the oral cavity may be indicative of systemic diseases such as osteoporosis, diabetes, or cancer. Many studies have also shown that gum disease is associated with an increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, and preterm birth.

As part of dentistry, there are two terms which are used interchangeably - Cosmetic dentistry and General dentistry. Family dentistry provides dental services related to teeth cleaning, filling, routine check up on cavities and sometimes can also assist in teeth whitening. Cavities are one of the major dental problems around, so the dentist will regularly check your pearly whites for cavities and take an x-ray if necessary.

Cosmetic Dentistry clinics more so accept and treat patients of all ages making it convenient for families to coordinate and check up regularly at one single place. A family dentist takes care of baby teeth as well as permanent teeth and supervises the oral health of the family. However, tooth implants, root canals and periodontal services are examples of specialist services which many family dentistry clinics may not offer.

Its easy to confuse the meaning of a Cosmetic dentist with a general dentist. Apart from few exceptional services provided, both are almost the same. So how do you identify your family dentist? While looking out for a family dentist, first look out for recommendations. Check with your relatives and friends for a good dentist in your area. Also, you may check personal websites of dentists or the dentists directory.

A Cosmetic dentistry clinic gives you a chance to examine your and your family's smile and enjoy great oral health for a long term. The general services include:

Dental sealants for fillingFluoride treatments.NightguardsOral cancer screening

If your dental problem needs specialist treatment, your family dentist will refer you to specialists such as orthodontists, endodontists etc. If you see your dentist every six months you might never have to seek additional dental services. Your family dentist is trained to keep your teeth healthy.

Because they are considered to be the first level of defense against dental abnormalities, family dentistry is viewed primarily as preventative fields. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that you visit your family dentist for a checkup a minimum of two times each year. Such checkups provide routine or deep cleanings to eliminate plaque buildup and prevent tooth decay. Preventative dental checkups can help with the detection of oral health problems long before the onset of symptoms.