Garner Family and Cosmetic Dentistry provides general dental services for the whole family. Patients of all ages are welcome. We provide routine preventative family dental care and modern options for your cosmetic and restorative needs. Our family dental care team fosters a welcoming environment for you and your family’s oral health needs.
Children’s Dental Care: Big Smiles for Bright Futures
A good first experience at the dental office will make a lifetime of difference for your child’s oral hygiene. Our supportive staff provides you and your child with all the information they need to care for their growing teeth and gums. Garner Family and Cosmetic Dentistry strives to make patients feel comfortable during every visit.
Teaching your child proper oral healthcare and its benefits at an early age turns it into a good habit. They’re more likely to continue with oral care if it’s instilled at an early age. We ensure to explain things properly to your child so they know exactly what’s happening and why. They can also sit with you during your appointment so they see there’s nothing to be afraid of. You can sit with them during their appointment, too.
Additionally, we offer a wide range of services to meet the unique needs of your child’s smile. We take children’s dental care very seriously. We know firsthand how much having a healthy smile impacts their self-confidence for years to come.
Our children’s dental services include:
- Dental cleanings and exams
- Screenings for tooth decay, gum disease, and any signs of oral health or oral development concerns
- Orthodontic screenings
- Dental fillings
- Sports mouthguards
- Tooth extraction, wisdom teeth monitoring
- Short-term orthodontics
Age-Specific Dental Care
Each member of your family has different oral health needs. The same issues most prominent in toddlers aren’t the same in adulthood. We focus on preventative care to ensure we’re targeting the most likely problems for your smile.
Babies and Toddlers
You should bring your baby to the dentist when you notice their primary teeth coming in. We can teach you what to expect in your child’s oral development and how best to care for their teeth. Our office believes in quality patient education. Brushing children’s teeth differs from brushing your own. The right techniques and tools ensure you keep your child’s teeth healthy.
Toddlers are one of the age brackets most likely to develop tooth decay. They aren’t as adept at brushing their teeth and typically have diets higher in sugar. We recommend additional treatments to protect your toddler’s teeth from decay. Fluoride treatments at each dental visit keep the tooth enamel strong. Dental sealants are a material that we paint onto the surfaces in the mouth that are most likely to trap food and bacteria, like the cusps of the molars. They dry and provide an extra layer between bacteria and the tooth’s enamel.
Just because they’re temporary doesn’t mean primary teeth aren’t important. They’re placeholders for permanent teeth, ensuring there’s enough space for them to come in properly. If you lose a primary tooth too early, the other teeth shift to fill the gap, and there may not be proper room for your adult teeth.
Adolescents and Young Adults
As children continue to grow, they start getting their adult teeth. The mouth grows and changes a lot in this stage. We monitor it to ensure permanent teeth come in properly and have enough space. If teeth are coming in crooked or cramped, we may refer you to a trusted orthodontist. You can get orthodontic treatment at any point, but it’s easiest when your mouth is still developing.
As you reach your late teens and early twenties, wisdom teeth come into play. Usually, our mouths aren’t big enough for this extra set of molars. If they erupt, they shift your teeth, making them more cramped. If they’re impacted under the surface, you’re at risk for pain and infection. We usually recommend extraction for the best benefits to your oral health.
Adults and Seniors
We use our teeth every day, and their age starts to show. Teeth discolor due to the enamel coating wearing down and our lifestyle habits, like tobacco use and coffee drinking. They’re also likely to develop cosmetic chips and cracks from normal wear and tear. Solutions like porcelain veneers can take years off your smile. You pick the white shade you want, and they cover the front and sides of your teeth, completely hiding the aged tooth surfaces.
Seniors are the most likely age group to suffer from tooth loss. There’s a solid chance you’ll lose at least one tooth by the time you’re in your 70s. Replacing missing teeth is essential, preventing side effects like your teeth shifting to fill the gap. We can complete your smile naturally and appealingly with solutions like dental implants.
Family Dentistry FAQs
Family dentistry ensures the oral health of your entire family is taken care of. Read the answers to these commonly asked questions to learn more.
What are the benefits of a family dentist?
Seeing a family dentist has many benefits. It makes getting dental care easier for your family since it is all under the same roof. Family dentists build relationships with their clients. It is easier and more common to feel comfortable with a family dentist. It is also useful for one dentist to see everyone in your family because they better understand your oral health and genetics.
Why is family dentistry important for oral health?
We all know that regular checkups are a cornerstone of good oral hygiene. But when you have a family dentist, they can perform a whole host of procedures right in the office, which means you have one less thing to worry about. Family dentistry is key for your oral health because it protects the basis of the health of your teeth and gums. Family dentists keep your teeth healthy for all of your life.
How do I choose a family dentist?
The best way to choose a family dentist is to choose someone you and your family feel comfortable with. Ask the office staff about the dentist’s certifications, history in the community, and more. Getting referrals from friends or family to find a reputable family dentist is also useful.
Why is fluoride important for my family’s dental health?
Fluoride is a mineral that helps strengthen tooth enamel and prevent cavities. Dentists may recommend fluoride treatments for children and adults, especially if you’re prone to cavities or your local water supply doesn’t have enough fluoride.
How can I help my child feel comfortable at the dentist?
You can help your child feel comfortable by talking positively about the dentist, reading books about dental visits, and bringing them to your appointments so they can see what happens. Family dentists are skilled at making kids feel at ease.
When should I bring my child to the dentist?
The sooner, the better! We recommend scheduling your child’s first dental visit within six months of their first primary tooth growing in. This way, we introduce good oral hygiene habits early on and help them adjust to seeing a dental professional regularly. For our younger patients, we provide an exam of the teeth, gums, and jaws to track growth and can even provide a gentle cleaning.