Essential Things to Know About Family Dentistry

Posted by Dr. K. Saeed on July 31st, 2017

Family dentistry, what does it mean?

Family Dentistry is a professional dental care of all age groups. From the first dentist's visit to the care and maintenance of the parents' teeth to the replacement of the older generation. The optimal care of patients not only covers individual prophylaxis but also focuses on the treatment of family members and partners. The term "family dentistry" covers the professional dental care of all age groups. This includes the treatment of children, the care and control of the parents and even the supply of dental prosthesis in the elderly.

Which treatments are covered by the concept of family dentistry?

The family dentistry covers all areas of dental medicine. However, there are also diseases which can mainly affect the family and the partner, including, for example, caries and periodontitis. They are infectious diseases, which can be transmitted to the nearby persons via saliva. Such a transfer is quite possible by kissing and can be favored, for example, by testing baby bottles for small children. Because of this, a so-called partner or family prophylaxis is recommended.

In addition to partner and family prophylaxis, an individual prophylaxis is also offered for children and adults. The individual prophylaxis helps children not only to learn the right oral hygiene and toothpaste technique but also to approach the dentist's visit and thus to avoid possible dental care.

What are the benefits of family dentistry?

Dentists' offices offering family dentistry usually cover a broad range of services, ensuring optimal care for all age groups.

In addition to the approach of children to the dentist's visit and the avoidance of a possible dentist's anxiety, special care is also given to the dental health of pregnant women.

Due to the hormonal change, pregnant women frequently experience gum bleeding and the resultant gum disease or periodontal disease, which can increase the risk of premature birth. This is why good oral hygiene and regular checks at the dentist are of great importance during pregnancy.

The oral cavity is an ideal place for the colonization of bacteria and thus carries the risk of different infections, which are contagious and easily transferable. These include especially caries and periodontitis. It is precisely within a family that the risk of joining each other is very high. The transmission of such infections can take place in a variety of ways:

• Use cups/glasses and cutlery of another family member
• Use of the same towel
• Several toothbrushes standing together in the same toothpaste beaker
• Apply the toothpaste
• Kiss

Since these points of contact cannot always be completely avoided, it is so important that every family member performs a regular check with the dentist. This is the only way to deal with an incipient infection.

Due to hormonal fluctuations, pregnant women often suffer from gingival bleeding or even gum disease, which can even trigger a premature birth. Control studies at shorter intervals are therefore particularly important during pregnancy.

In the case of particularly caries-susceptible dentures, special rails can be made to receive a dental repair gel with medical hydroxyapatite (liquid tooth fusion). These should be regularly worn especially during tooth development 1-2 times a week.

This method of treatment is particularly suitable for adolescents who wear a bracing brace. This limits the cleaning possibilities. The caries susceptibility is significantly higher!