Visiting a family dentist can be beneficial for you and your entire family. Unlike a general dentist who only works with patients of a certain age bracket, a family dentist can meet the dental needs of all members of your household.
Preventive Dentistry
Preventive dentistry is all about taking care of your teeth now to ward off more serious problems in the future. This will reduce your risk of tooth decay, cavities, sensitivity, and gum disease.
Utilizing preventative dental services from your family dentist early in life can help you keep your smile healthy and beautiful forever. This includes brushing with fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily, and eating a balanced diet that limits sugars and processed carbohydrates while consuming plenty of calcium, vitamin C, and other nutrients. Routine dental visits can also help a family dentist spot jaw issues, such as bruxism (tooth grinding) or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, before progressing into more significant and costly treatments. The best part is that a family dentist can help you catch these issues early so they can be treated and prevented.
Routine Dental Cleanings
Regular dental cleanings are among the best ways to maintain good oral health. These visits help remove plaque and tartar from your teeth, reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease. It also helps your dentist spot early warning signs of problems such as oral cancer and tooth loss. Identifying and preventing issues early can help you retain natural teeth into older age, ensuring a lifetime of good oral health.
Dental professionals like your trusted Rexburg Id family dentist will recommend getting a routine exam and cleaning every six months to keep your smile healthy. However, depending on your specific oral health needs, your dentist may recommend a different schedule.
Regular Oral Examinations
Just like getting your annual physical exam, a regular dental examination is critical for the health of your teeth and gums. It can help your family dentist identify oral problems that may not be visible to the naked eye, and it may reveal issues that need more serious treatment. Your dentist will check your teeth, mouth, and neck to look for damage, decay, periodontal disease, orthodontic-related concerns, jaw complications, or signs of early cancer. They will also use diagnostic X-rays to see impacted wisdom teeth, a fractured tooth, or other problems that cannot be seen with the eyes.
A typical exam starts with a history of your current dental status and any concerns you have about the appearance of your teeth. After this, the dentist and hygienist will perform routine cleanings. This will remove plaque and tartar that have built up, which can harm the overall health of your teeth over time.
Routine Fluoride Treatments
When acids from sugars and other foods come into contact with the outermost layer of your teeth (the enamel), it begins to wear down. This process is called demineralization. But when minerals like fluoride and calcium are added back into the enamel, it becomes stronger and more resistant to damage from acid deterioration. This process is known as demineralization. Talk to your dentist about fluoride treatment if you have a dry mouth, weak enamel, or are at a higher risk for tooth decay or erosion. Fluoride treatments are usually applied in the dental office by your dentist using a gel, foam, or varnish. They take just a few minutes to apply and can be done during your next appointment.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry is a branch that focuses on improving the appearance of teeth and smiles. It can include restoring, reshaping, and restructuring teeth and enhancing their color to cover discoloration or stains.
Many people choose to improve their smiles for many reasons. One of the most common is to boost their self-esteem and confidence. A family dentist will likely have the necessary training and expertise to provide what you are looking for in cosmetic treatments. They may also be able to offer dental implants, which can transform the function of missing teeth and restore an attractive smile.