Family Dentistry
in Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska and surrounding communities
General dentistry and family dentistry are two terms that many believe are interchangeable. But dentists who practice general dentistry may restrict the ages they practice on. Family dentistry cares for patients that span all age groups with a focus keeping teeth healthy through all stages of life. The best time to get patients to start practicing good oral hygiene is when they are very young. The benefit of going to a family dentist, like Lincoln, Nebraska dentist Dr. Kent Dodson, is twofold:
- Young children are more likely to incorporate healthy habits into their lives
- Able to build a level of trust with the dentist through the years
Young children may find going to the dentist a stressful experience. Some parents may want to bring their young children in to meet the dentist prior to their cleaning. Many family dentists have board games and other toys to keep children entertained as they wait to be seen by the dentist. This may also calm children. Also, by helping to educate children about the importance of keeping their teeth healthy and focusing on prevention, costly and in-depth future treatments can be minimized.
Unlike specialized dental roles, such as orthodontists and prosthodontists, the role of the family dentist is a preventative. The American Dental Association recommends you visit your family dentist twice a year for a checkup. ?A family dental check up includes:
- General tooth cleaning to ensure teeth and gums are healthy
- Minimizing buildup of plaque
- Preventing tooth decay
- Filling cavities
- Possible tooth whitening procedures
The education that comes into these checkups is to show children how to brush and floss their teeth to begin a regimen of lifelong care, as well as to understand why this is important.
Children should first be seen by their family dentist around the age of three for their first cleaning. To alleviate any stress they may feel there are some things you can do:
- Avoid seeming stressed yourself. Children may "read" how you feel
- Explain to your child about the tooth fairy and that this is a special doctor who works with the tooth fairy
Getting your child to visit the dentist at an early age is an important step in their overall health as they grow up. It is vital that you go to a family dentist with experience. In the areas of Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska, please contact Dr. Kent Dodson for an initial consultation.
