Family Dentistry: What a General Dentist Does for Every Age
One dental office for the whole household is a practical wish: fewer calendars to juggle, one waiting room instead of three. Before that, though, it helps to know what kind of dentist covers the most ground, what regular visits are for, and where the youngest member of the house fits in.
What a general dentist does
General dentists take care of your overall oral health, while dental specialists provide care when you have a specific need. General dentists often practice family dentistry, offering a broad range of services (Cleveland Clinic).
Routine care has a page of its own here, on routine checkups and cleanings; this article stays with the wider picture.
Why regular visits matter
Regular dental visits can help spot dental health problems early, when treatment is likely to be simpler and more affordable, and help prevent many problems from developing in the first place (American Dental Association (MouthHealthy)).
How often to go
There is no one-size-fits-all dental treatment: some people need to visit the dentist once or twice a year, and others may need more visits (American Dental Association (MouthHealthy)).
A child's first visit
A child's first dental visit should take place after that first tooth appears, but no later than the first birthday. That's because as soon as a baby has teeth, he or she can get cavities (American Dental Association (MouthHealthy)).
And yes, we see children. Which kind of dentist to choose for a child is a separate question, and a separate article covers it: pediatric dentist or family dentist.
Next step
We're Dental Associates of Lodi, at 147 Main St, 2nd Floor, Lodi, NJ 07644. When you want to take the next step, start at our first-visit page.
Sources
- Cleveland Clinic. "Dentist." Updated 2024-09-03. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/24448-dentist
- American Dental Association (MouthHealthy). "Questions About Going to the Dentist." https://www.mouthhealthy.org/dental-care/questions-about-going-to-the-dentist
- American Dental Association (MouthHealthy). "Your Baby's First Dental Visit." https://www.mouthhealthy.org/life-stages/babies-and-kids/first-dental-visit-for-baby
