What Age Should Kids Start Seeing the Dentist?

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The dentist is an important medical professional who is there to care for your smile and the health of your teeth. Unfortunately, many parents do not realize that their babies and toddlers need to see the dentist in order to begin their dental healthcare needs. By finding a reputable pediatric dentist, they will be able to receive this care in a setting that is calm and comfortable for them.

When Should a Child First See the Dentist?

Dental professionals recommend that children start seeing a dentist when they start getting their baby teeth in. However, most parents wait until the child is roughly two years old because it is often easier for them to receive care when they know where they are and what is expected. For example, a small baby might not necessarily be able to keep their mouth open during an exam, making it difficult to see the teeth and examine them in a way that is actually benefiting to the child. The key is to bring your child into the dentist either at or before their second birthday. From that point on, it is important that you bring them to the dentist twice a year for their bi-annual cleanings and checkups. This ensures that they have a smile that is healthy and vital as they continue to grow.

Finding a Pediatric Dentist

In order for your child to have a good experience going to the dentist, it is important that you find a pediatric dentist available to them. You are going to find that this professional is specific to children and will provide them with the care that they need to feel their best. It is often more comfortable for small children, toddlers and babies to visit a pediatric dentist when compared to a general dentist in your area. This is why it is important to look for a professional who you can trust and get them the care that they require.

With so many people out there looking for a solid option for their children’s dental needs, it is important to get them into the office as soon as possible and find a pediatric provider who is essential for their needs. You will find that this makes it easier than ever for your children to receive the care that they need without it being a problem. Plus, the sooner you bring your children in to see a dentist, the easier it is going to be for them to make it a habit to get into the office. Many pediatric providers take insurance as well as low-cost payment options, making it easier than ever for your child to receive the care that they need without it becoming a financial burden.

There are a large number of pediatric dentists out there, making it easier than ever for you to find the expert who is there to help with your child’s dental needs. Most kids will be able to see their pediatric dentist up until they are a teenager, since many of these professionals also offer orthodontic care for those who need help straightening their teeth. Once you have made use of this option, it is important that you look for a professional who is right for them and get them in for their first appointment.

The Top 5 Things to Look for in a Family Dentist

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Finding a dentist for you and your family, that you can be comfortable with is important. We’ve rounded up the top five things that you should look for in a family dentist. The most important thing in finding a dentist is to make sure that the dentist has the proper skills and training. Most dentist’s display their degree in their office. If this is not the case, then you can always ask to see their credentials, also your state may have a searchable database online.

The next top to ensuring that this new dentist is a family dentist you should make sure the dentist works with adults and children of different age groups. The dentist should have experience working with children, and have a patient and kind demeanor.

The next tip for finding a family dentist is make sure their office hours fit your schedule. No one wants to have to call off work or keep their kids home from school just because their dentist doesn’t have office hours that fit their schedule. Find a dentist that offers some days of extended office hours, some dentists even have Saturday hours! For families with more than one child, see if the dentist is willing to set appointments for children at the same time. This really makes it easier on the parent, because they can bring two or three children to one appointment, instead of having to feel like they are at the dentist all the time.

Another tip for finding a family dentist, is how does your dentist handle emergency appointments? We have all been there, your tooth pain is shooting up the side of your face, and you have to get it taken care of as soon as possible. Are you able to call your dentist and have them fit you in on the same day? Or are you able to show up as a walk in? Finding out how they handle dental emergencies, is important when choosing a new family dentist. Appointments in general should be easy to set, whether you are calling on the phone, or setting a follow up appointment in person after you are seen. Ask the staff if they can call and remind you about the appointment, most medical offices do this anyway, but since you are a new patient it doesn’t hurt to make sure.

Finally, make sure that the office environment, including the set up, decor and office staff are inviting and make you feel comfortable. You should feel at ease, remember you are the customer, and it is their job to serve you. Another thing to make sure is that the office staff, including secretaries, dental assistants and dental hygienists, are patient and calm with children. You will be able to feel everything out the first visit. We also recommend an office set up with individual private rooms. Some dentist offices have a bunch of chairs set up in one big open room, this is not conducive with patient privacy, and also the dentist will be jumping back and forth between patients, which may help save his time, but is not a way to make each patient feel like he or she is taking the proper time with each patient.

The Best Way To Find A Good Family Dentist

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You’ll only get one smile to carry you throughout your lifetime. Unfortunately, everyone is not born with the perfect smile. There are many issues that could cause you to need cosmetic dentistry. A bright smile can take you places throughout your career. A professional business career requires good oral hygiene to effectively communicate with your peers, and a white smile is always essential in front of the camera. A dental professional will advise their patients get oral care that bests suits the needs of your entire family. How do you protect your smile as early as possible? The American Dental Association recommends a family dentist.

What To Expect From A Family Dentist

A good family dentist should be very accessible. Choose a family dentist that’s easy to commute to and from with several forms of transportation including public transportation. You also want a dentist that you can trust. Their credentials are very important to protect your smile. Are they licensed and certified? A dental professional will have their certification posted in their office. You can also check with the local dental association to determine if their credentials are legitimate. Unfortunately, an unlicensed dentist can create further dental issues that can cost you a fortune.

Furthermore, a good family dentist should specialize in all types of dentistry. You want a dentist that can whiten your teeth or make a recommendation for oral surgery. Many people are also looking for a good family dentist that can work with patients of all ages. They should be able to work with younger patients that may need extra attention to older clients that may be insecure about seeing a dentist at a seasoned age. However, they should be able to work with your unique smile along with giving you the opportunity to participate in your specific dental care.

What To Expect From Family Dental Services

  • teeth whitening
  • jaw realignment
  • teeth corrective procedures
  • traditional/Invisalign braces
  • spa dental setting
  • alternative sedation
  • online appointment setting
  • dental counseling
  • courteous professionals
  • emergency services
  • sports injuries
  • and much more…

Are you on a limited income? A good family dentist will have a great financial plan that will allow you to get dental work at any stage and be able to afford it. Most dentist have in-house financing that will allow you to pay for your dental procedure on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly scale based on your income.

You want a dentist that will suggest amazing dental strategies just for you. Unfortunately, a dentist that’s only interested in the money may recommend unnecessary dental work. Get a family dentist that’s willing to cater to cowards of all ages. Plus, a good family dentist should be able to make everyone in your family feel good about their dental procedure or have ways to reduce anxiety. Dental counseling will give them an opportunity to teach your child the proper dental habits for an enhanced smile. It can also be an opportunity to teach younger children how to brush and floss accurately for their adult oral health.

Did you know a great smile is essential to your digestive health? A good family dentist will help your entire family feel good about their smile. Visit your local dentist for a free consultation on achieving your brighter whiter smile today.

Types of Dentures

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Dentures: Complete Versus Partial

Dentures are used to replace missing teeth and the surrounding tissues around them. They are made of various materials including acrylic, metal, and nylon. Contrary to popular belief, dentures aren’t only for the elderly population. Dentures are worn by children and adults alike.

Today, we will discuss a few types of dentures.

Complete Dentures

As the name indicates, complete dentures replace a complete section of teeth that are missing in a single arch. They either replace the upper arch (maxillary), lower arch (mandibular), or both. Obviously, this benefits patients who have completely lost their set of teeth ranging from disease to trauma.

There are two types of complete dentures, “conventional or immediate”. Immediate dentures are meant to be temporary as it is fitted and placed into a patient before any healing occurs. When this happens, the denture is set on top of the gum and bones that are still healing. While healing, gums and bones tend to shrink over time, causing the patient to endure various adjustments before the immediate denture fits properly. If you absolutely cannot go without dentures before fully healing, this is the option for you. However, as mentioned above, a patient will have to go through multiple adjustments during the healing process, which can be inconvenient.

Conventional dentures, on the other hand, are fitted and placed after the healing process has settled down and begun to heal. If teeth were removed, the conventional denture will be ready for placement in a patient’s mouth at about eight to twelve weeks after the removal. This is more beneficial for patients who have healed as the gum and bones have already shrunk due to healing. As opposed to immediate dentures, conventional dentures are permanent solutions to those who require complete dentures.

Partial Dentures

Partial dentures or bridge are dentures that replace a single or few missing teeth and they are removable. This type of denture is frequently used by people today. A couple examples of partial dentures include cast metal removal denture and acrylic removal partial denture to only name a few.

Cast metal removable dentures are made of high-quality metal and consist of a metal framework. This denture attaches to a patient’s natural teeth by clasps connected to crowns. This type of denture is widely used around the world, and if maintained properly can last years. Cast metal dentures benefit those who have a single missing tooth to just a few and are usually worn by patients who have missing teeth in the front of the mouth.

Acrylic removal partial denture (also known as a “flipper”) are made of acrylic resin. They mimic the color of gums giving a patient’s mouth a more natural look. Similar to the cast metal removable denture, this denture also attaches to natural teeth by way of clasps. This type of denture is beneficial for patients who need an immediate temporary solution to replace a missing front tooth. Because it is made from acrylic, this type of denture is only meant to be temporary until a patient can find a more permanent solution, like that of implants.

These are only a few types of dentures readily available today. As previously discussed, complete dentures come in two options, while partial dentures come in a variety of options to choose from.

 

About Denture Repairs

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About Denture Repairs

As people grow older in time, their dentures become loose. A person’s jaw changes because their gums and bones naturally recede and shrink. Dentures that fit poorly in the mouth or worn out dentures can cause infections, mouth sores, and other oral issues.

Damage to Dentures

Many people suffer both mentally and physically from wearing broken dentures. They may have damaged their dentures by dropping them on a hard surface, biting down hard on objects, or just because of normal wear and tear. When your dentures are damaged, they should be fixed as soon as possible by a professional dentist. Your dentist can usually repair dentures the same day you bring them into the office.

Not all damage occurs suddenly to dentures. It can happen over time or because of an accident or fall. Cracked dentures that are fitting poorly are the main reason that most people need repairs. Your upper and lower dentures are constantly applying pressure on each other as you chew food and speak. Certain areas of your dentures will become over-stressed and misaligned and will break. Dropping your dentures will cause damage not only to the teeth but also to the gum line. If a person has a partial denture, the metal clasps can come loose and cause damage to the teeth and gums.

Reline Dentures

Having your dentures relined by a professional will keep your dentures working properly and give you a secure fit. Some people get sores in their mouth and have tender gums and are unable to wear regular dentures. Your professional dentist can line your dentures with a material that is made for people with this type of situation. It is a soft material that will help to keep the gum from getting sore spots like the hard-acrylic material. The soft-liners last a couple of years and they will need replacement. If patients would like a more permanent solution then the dentist can use implant retained dentures.

Provisional Relines

For patients who have not had their dentures taken care of in a long time, the patient’s gums may be swollen, red or misshaped. This makes getting a good impression for new soft or hard relines a problem. Without a good impression, it could lead to making the problems that the patient already has worse.

A temporary or medicated reline material is then used by professionals until the inflammation, sores, and redness are gone. The medicated reline keeps the denture fitting tightly and is soft and pliable. After a few weeks, the dentist can then reline with the hard-acrylic material or fit the patient with new dentures.

Rebasing

Rebasing is when the acrylic denture base has worn out, become discolored or broken and needs to be replaced. The teeth may be in great shape and so the base is completely replaced. Rebasing will give your teeth a new solid and stable denture base.

If a large change is not required, your dentist can add back material in order to improve the fit of your dentures. This can usually be done right in the dentist’s office in one day. Acrylic resin has many benefits for the patient. It bonds to a broken or fractured denture quickly, it is comfortable, durable, visually pleasing to look at, and is repairable. For patients who need a lot of work done to their dentures, their dentist may need to send them off to a dental laboratory.