The Impact of Family Dentistry on Lifelong Oral Health
Whether it’s brushing and flossing, regular checkups and cleanings or applying fluoride treatments or dental sealants to help prevent cavities, we all need regular dental care. Family dentists are uniquely qualified to provide the general dental care that every member of a family needs throughout their lives, from toddlers to grandparents. This versatility streamlines family dental care, eliminating the need to visit a variety of different professionals for routine appointments and emergencies, and it helps patients develop a relationship with their dentist that fosters trust and comfort.
A primary goal of family dentistry is to prevent oral health problems like tooth decay, gingivitis and gum disease by catching them early on with routine exams and 6-month cleanings. These routine visits also enable a family dentist to address emerging dental issues that might require treatment such as fillings and crowns, root canal therapy or dental implants (although these procedures may be referred out to a specialist). A relationship with your family’s family dentist can also help reduce dental anxiety in children, which is important because a fear of the dentist may lead them to avoid routine dental care.
Family dentists can treat people of all ages, from toddlers to seniors, which means that they are qualified to manage a wide range of dental issues. This versatility allows you to save time and effort by eliminating the need to visit different specialists for individual age groups. It also makes it much easier to schedule appointments and avoid the hassle of coordinating multiple dentists’ busy calendars. If you are finding a local family dentist in Torrance, contact Dr. Karen Rosen today to discuss your options. She will be happy to answer any questions you might have and can arrange a complimentary consultation.
Many communities face barriers that prevent them from accessing dental care, such as financial hardships, limited local dental services, geographical isolation, poor quality of dental care or stigmas around receiving treatment. These barriers are most prevalent among marginalized groups, including indigenous peoples, migrants, immigrant families, people living with disabilities, people from rural areas, and Hispanic populations in the United States.
Research shows that poor oral health negatively impacts both a person’s quality of life and their ability to participate in activities of daily living. In addition, poor oral health contributes to chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, and often requires medical intervention that can significantly increase health care costs for individuals and their families.
A comprehensive approach to oral health is needed to improve and sustain the well-being of a community, with an emphasis on prevention, risk assessment and screening, and the early detection and management of disease. A key element of this is the integration of oral health into general healthcare, ensuring that all citizens have access to affordable and equitable dental care.