Family Dentistry: Can Our Entire Family See the Same Dentist?

Not all dentists can treat your entire family, but a family dentist specializes in providing care for anyone at any age. If you aren’t sure if family dentistry is right for you, check out these four benefits.

You’ll Save Time

One of the best reasons to choose a family dentist is because it allows you to save time. Just imagine if you, your spouse, your elderly mother and your children have different dentists. You would have a hard time grouping the appointments on the same day around the same time, and even if you did, you’d have to drive a bunch of places, wasting time.

If your family all has the same dentist, however, it’s no problem to group appointments. That way, everyone goes in at once on the same day at the same location. Yes, you may be there for a little longer than if you went on your own, but you’ll end up saving time and taking less time off work to take everyone.

You’ll Share Your Family History

Having everyone see the same dentist is also useful because it allows the dentist to get to know your family and their history better. Some oral issues run in the family or may be common among family members because of similar habits. For example, if parents drink a lot of sugary soda, chances are the kids have developed this habit, too.

A dentist can use family history to help diagnose problems. If a child has a lot of cavities from too much sugar, the dentist can speak with the parent about cutting back on sugar at home. This is a clever way for a dentist to learn more about each of your family members. As a result, you all hear the same advice and reinforcements, such as cutting back on sugar, eating more vegetables, etc.

You Won’t Sacrifice Services

You may think that a family dentist won’t be able to offer you everything your family needs, but that isn’t the case. Family dentistry is about providing many services to everyone. It doesn’t mean only providing the basic services like cleaning, X-rays fillings, etc. Most family dentists provide specialized services for any age.

In addition, many family dentists can offer your family more advanced treatments. Some are skilled in major procedures like root canal therapy. Thanks to a growing popularity in cosmetic dentistry, many family dentists also offer great cosmetic procedures to improve the look of everyone’s smile. At Landmark Dental Group in Santa Cruz, for example, you can get tooth whitening, porcelain veneers and even dental implants.

Your Children Will Be More Comfortable

One of the worst things about going to the dentist is being uncomfortable, and this is a common problem with children because they just aren’t used to going to the dentist. Having you and the rest of the family there as patients may help them feel a little more at ease. Instead of telling your kid, “it’s time for your dental appointment” you can say, “it’s time for our trip to the dentist.”

Also, switching doctors and dentists can be nerve-wracking. If you choose a pediatric dentist for your child who doesn’t see adults, they’ll have to go through the entire process again of finding a dentist and feeling comfortable once they are older. A family dentist, however, can continue to see your child as they age.

Don’t waste your time and money with several dentists. Family dentistry allows your entire family to have the same provider. For more information, contact Landmark Dental Group today.