According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control,
around 1 in 5 American children and teenagers have one or more untreated
cavity. Sometimes it's due to lack of access to healthcare, and sometimes, it's
just because children and teens aren't visiting their family dentist often
enough or lack of caring of their teeth at home. Seeing the family dentist at
least twice a year can make a big difference in a child's oral health, and lays
the foundations for a lifetime of good oral health.
Family dentists typically provide four different kinds of
services: education, prevention, monitoring, and treatment.
Education
The purpose of education is two-fold: first, it helps people
manage the at-home aspect of oral health. This is especially important for new
parents who aren't experienced with home care of an infant's teeth. Oral care
starts early, even before the first baby teeth appear, so it's important that
new parents know how to take care of their child's gums and teeth. For young
children, education helps reinforce the importance of good oral hygiene, as
well as the importance of regular dental visits.
The second aspect of education is giving people the
information they need to make informed choices about their oral care. This is
important for children as well as adults, because it helps children take
responsibility for their health, and with this comes the motivation they need
to maintain good oral hygiene habits into adulthood.
Prevention
The idea of prevention is simple: it's by far the best way of
managing oral health, because it focuses on preventing problems, rather than
treating them if they occur. Regular checkups and professional cleanings ensure
that teeth remain healthy and strong, reduce the likelihood of problems like
cavities and gum disease, and also mean that if problems do develop, they are
discovered early on and treated quickly. A family dentist can also provide
other preventative services, like fluoride treatment and tooth sealants, to
protect vulnerable baby teeth from decay.
Monitoring
Certain dental concerns don't need immediate treatment, but
instead require careful monitoring to determine if treatment might be needed at
a later date. For example, if a child's teeth begin to show signs of
misalignment their dentist might monitor the situation rather than recommend
immediate treatment.
Treatment
When treatment is required, the family dentist is there to
provide it, including fillings, extractions, and other services that repair
tooth decay and damage, as well as long-term treatments such as spacers and
mouth guards for athletes.
Oral Care for Life and Health
Good general health starts with good oral health, because you
need a good set of strong, healthy teeth for eating a varied diet necessary for
proper energy and nutrition. But that's not all; healthy teeth are important
for speech, for a beautiful smile, and for the enhanced self-confidence that
comes along with it. Regular visits to your family dentist—for you and your
family—are the best way to make sure you can all enjoy these benefits for years
to come.
Jackson L Anderson, DDS is a family dentist in Colorado Springs. Contact the office to schedule an appointment or to find out more
about oral health care for your loved ones.
