“What is family dentistry?” explained by a dentist in Calgary, AB

When you are in search of a dentist for your family, it can be confusing to determine which type is best for your needs – should you search for a general dentist, a family dentist, or another type? While general dentistry and family dentistry are two phrases that are often used interchangeably, there are differences between the two. Below, Dr. Palka Sawhney Sharma, dentist in Calgary, AB, explains what family dentistry is and how seeing a family dentist benefits you and your loved ones.

What is family dentistry?

In short, a family dentist is someone who has specialized education and training in providing dental care for all ages—from children to seniors. Family dentists understand that different stages of life require different dental care needs and offer both preventive care and treatments catered to those specific needs. A big part of keeping your teeth and gums healthy is knowing how to care for your mouth at home, so educating patients about home hygiene in a way that is appropriate for their age is also an important aspect of family dentistry.

Benefits of seeing a family dentist

There are many benefits to seeing a family dentist. One of the most positive aspects for you as a patient or parent is that you and your child can see the same dentist for many years, from infancy to adulthood. This is one of our favorite aspects of family dentistry too! We consider our patients part of our dental family, so we love being able to take care of you from year to year and seeing your children grow and flourish.

Other benefits of seeing a family dentist include:

• Convenience: With today’s hectic schedules, nothing beats being able to get several appointments out of the way all at one time; we offer convenient scheduling options so you can minimize the number of trips you need to make to keep your family’s smiles healthy
• Gentle, friendly care: At Lake Chaparral Dental Care, we use a gentle approach to all the treatments we provide—from preventive care to restorative therapies—so everyone feels comfortable in the dental chair
• Better tracking of the changes occurring in your child’s teeth as they grow: Dr. Palka Sawhney Sharma keeps detailed records of your child’s teeth, so we are able to closely monitor your child’s oral development and check for any signs of issues early on when they are easiest to treat
• Monitoring for potential issues passed down through genetics: Several oral health conditions have a genetic component, and when we see both the parents and children in a family, we can monitor the children for dental issues that the mom or dad may have passed down
  

Services family dentists provide

One of the cornerstones of family dentistry is good preventive care: twice-daily brushing and daily flossing at home, combined with regular professional cleanings and check-ups, is the best thing you can do for you and your children’s oral health. In addition to regular hygiene visits, we offer preventive treatments for children such as sealants to protect the deep crevices in their teeth from forming cavities and fluoride treatments to strengthen their enamel.

Additionally, at Lake Chaparral Dental Care, we provide several treatments and protective appliances, such as:

• Emergency dental care
• Tooth-colored fillings
• Crowns and bridges
• Wisdom tooth extractions
• Root canals
• Dental implants
• Oral cancer screenings
• Sports guards
• Night guards
• …and more!

Cosmetic treatments are also provided by Dr. Palka Sawhney Sharma because we understand the value that a beautiful, bright smile can bring to all aspects of your life. Whether you are interested in straightening your teeth with Invisalign, porcelain veneers or dental bonding to change the appearance of your front teeth or professional tooth whitening for a brighter grin, we have options to help you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted.

Schedule your family’s dental appointments today

Whether you are new to the Calgary area or have been an existing patient for a while and simply need to schedule a check-up, we are ready to serve your dental care needs! Everyone in the family will enjoy visiting our warm, inviting practice that is equipped with the latest dental technologies for your comfort. Call Lake Chaparral Dental Care at (403) 768-2271 to schedule your appointment today.