Want a healthy and vibrant smile for the whole family?
Family dental care and concerns are a huge topic that usually only get attention after problems arise. According to CDC estimates, over 26% of American adults have untreated dental caries, while nearly half of adults over the age of 30 exhibit symptoms of gum disease.
The good news?
Most family dental problems are preventable with proper care and intervention.
What’s in it for you:
- Understanding Family Dental Care
- Common Family Dental Problems
- Dental Care to Avoid Problems
- Choosing Your Family Dental Provider
- Dental Health Habits to Develop at Home
Understanding Family Dental Care
Family dental care services cover all the dental and oral health services for every member of your family. This includes care for children just learning to brush their teeth as well as adults of all ages. Family dental care services may include exams and cleanings, education on good oral health, prevention strategies, emergency care, and treatment of any number of common dental problems.
But the thing is…
The majority of families are unaware of the importance of dental health to overall wellness. Oral health problems have been linked to conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory infections in adults. This is why many modern family dental practices are adopting dynamic dentistry approaches and not just treating common dental problems as they arise, but also working on the connections between oral health and total body health in preventative ways.
What’s different about family dental care?
Family dentistry is unique in that it treats patients of all ages as well as many different types of dental problems that may arise at different stages in life. Specialized dentists like orthodontists or pediatric dentists may only focus on specific types of care for narrow age ranges. Family dentistry, on the other hand, includes:
- Pediatric dentistry and care for children and teenagers
- General adult dental care
- Cosmetic dentistry
- Same family provider for infants, teenagers, and adults
- Convenient family scheduling for multiple patients at once
Common Family Dental Problems
There are different kinds of dental problems and dental care needs for children and adults. Some dental problems are common to all ages, however. Being aware of what these are can help you avoid them and their impact on your family’s dental health.
Tooth Decay, the Biggest Culprit
Tooth decay is by far the most common dental problem for adults and children. National research and statistics show that nearly 90% of adults have knowledgeable some form of dental caries in their permanent teeth.
Why are cavities so common?
- Consumption of sugar is at an all-time high
- Few people keep up with regular dental visits
- Brushing and flossing techniques are often done incorrectly
- Preventative dentistry is not available to all families
Baby teeth are most often affected by decay in children. Parents often make the mistake of thinking baby teeth don’t matter. On the contrary, these early teeth are vital to developing good speech, nutrition, and will set the stage for the placement of adult teeth as they develop.
Gum Disease, the Sneaky Invader
Gum disease doesn’t just affect older adults.
Begins early Gum disease often in life and can go undetected for years. The early stage of gum disease causes irritation of the gums. This is known as gingivitis, and the signs are red swollen gums that bleed when fleecy. The progressive stage of gum disease is known as periodontitis, and it can cause tooth loss as well as damage to the jaw bone. Gum bug can also be linked to other health problems in the body.
The problem with gum disease is that:
- There are rarely symptoms in the early stages
- Gum disease is the leading reason of tooth damage in adults
- Gum disease has been related to heart sickness and diabetes
- Gum disease is often preventable with good oral hygiene
Dental Care to Avoid Problems
The best way to safeguard healthy teeth and gums for your whole family is to prevent problems from occurring. Prevention includes strategies used at home and those done by a professional in a family dental care practice.
Regular Dental Visits: Keeping on Top of Dental Health
Scheduling regular visits to a family dental care practice every six months is the first line of defense against many dental problems. Family dental care practice visits:
- Can spot early signs of potential issues
- Allow for professional cleaning of teeth and removal of plaque and tartar
- Include monitoring of dental health in children
- Screen for oral cancer and other more serious conditions
Fun fact: Dental experts and researchers have found that when children have dental sealants, they have nearly 80% fewer cavities in their molars as compared to children without sealants. This preventative measure can help save families a lot of pain and expense down the road.
Developing a Dental Home Care Routine
Of course, there is a lot that goes on between visits to the dentist. The home care routine you and your family develop is crucial. A good home care routine will include:
- Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
- Flossing at least once a day
- Using mouthwash to reduce oral bacteria
- Cutting back on sugary snacks and drinks
- Drinking water, especially after meals
However, this can be easier said than done in many families. The key is developing a routine that is practical for your family’s life.
Choosing Your Family Dental Provider
Finding the right family dental provider can be the key to maintaining and improving the dental health of your family. A good family dentist will have the necessary skills as well as a warm and inviting office to make everyone comfortable.
When choosing your family dental care practice, some questions to ask are:
- Do they treat all ages?
- What are their preventative services?
- How do they handle dental emergencies?
- Do they make children comfortable and at ease?
- What insurance do they accept?
Your relationship with your family dental practice should be a long-term partnership in your oral health.
Dental Health Habits to Develop at Home
Developing good dental habits at home is especially important for young children. Children who start young can develop a long-term positive attitude towards oral health and take care of their teeth throughout their life. Habits formed early on should be rewarding in some way. Games and rewards help teach good oral health.
How to develop habits:
- Make brushing and flossing a game, not a chore
- Show your own good oral hygiene habits as an example
- Use praise and reward rather than criticism
- Set a schedule and routine that works for your family
- Restrict sugary snacks and drinks
- Keep to a regular schedule of dental check-ups
The best part?
Good habits and preventative dental care aren’t just good for your teeth. They’re good for your overall health and well-being as well.
Wrapping It Up
Family dental care is about more than just treating dental problems after they happen. It’s about setting up your family for good oral health throughout their lives. This is accomplished by prevention strategies, good oral hygiene education, and regular professional care.
Remember that:
- Dental health and oral health have a huge impact on physical health
- Most dental problems are preventable with simple care
- Prevention and early care are easier and less expensive
- Habits developed early last a lifetime
- All ages need regular professional dental care
By taking care of your family’s dental health today, you’re setting them up for healthier and happier smiles for the rest of their lives. Don’t wait for problems to develop. Act now and take proactive steps to defend your family’s oral health.