Having a beautiful smile starts with healthy teeth. To ensure that your teeth stay in tip-top shape, you'll need to visit a dentist at least twice per year. Finding the ideal dentist to meet your needs will ensure that you're happy with your visits and will keep up with them going into the future.

What is a Family Dentist?

A family dentist specializes in treating patients of all ages. This includes children, teenagers, adults, and seniors. These dentists are highly trained in the natural progression of teeth from infancy to late adulthood. Most family dentists will offer a variety of preventative dental care and educational services, including:

• Comprehensive exams
• Biannual cleanings
• Periodontal therapy
• Fillings
• Oral cancer screening

Some family dentists may even include restorative dental procedures like implants, veneers, and teeth whitening. This is going to vary depending on the specific family dentist that you choose to go to.

What is a General Dentist?

A general dentist typically offers many of the same services as a family dentist. In fact, family dentists are classified as general dentists. However, their job is mainly focused on keeping your smile healthy and not so much on patient education. General dentists typically see patients who are 16 years or older and won't typically perform services on young children.

What Dentist Should You Choose?

When choosing between a family dentist and a general dentist, you'll need to consider a few different factors. First and foremost, if you have children, it makes sense to invest in a family dentist. This way, all members of your family can see the same dentist as opposed to having one dentist for your children and one for you and your significant other.

You'll also want to take future plans into consideration. Do you plan on having children in the future? If so, it can simplify things to opt for using a family dentist now. If you're more interested in finding a dentist who you can rely on to treat your smile, then a general dentist is right for you.

In fact, you may find that there are more general dentists in your town to choose from than family dentists. Most family dentists will have a practice geared towards creating a homey and safe feeling. This can be a unique trait that some individuals may look for in a dentist.

Call Us Today

If you're interested in getting professional dental assistance, give us a call at Smiles by Hay today. We'll be more than glad to help with your oral health needs to ensure you have a smile you're proud of.