Family dentistry provides services related to the general maintenance of oral hygiene and tooth health for the whole family.
Dental services at Neighborhood Health are delivered by a team of dentists, hygienists and assistants that provides preventive and restorative care including exams, digital x-rays, cleaning, fillings, crowns, extractions, and assistance with dentures, emergent care and more. An electronic patient record is shared by both medical and dental providers to provide the most comprehensive care possible.
Because they are considered to be the first level of defense against dental abnormalities, family dentistry is viewed primarily as a preventative field. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that you visit your family dentist for a checkup a minimum of two times each year. Such checkups provide routine or deep cleanings to eliminate plaque buildup and prevent tooth decay. If necessary, they also provide fluoride treatments to help coat the teeth, a procedure also important in the prevention of tooth decay. Preventative dental checkups can help with the detection of oral health problems long before the onset of symptoms.
On some visits, radiographs are taken to help detect cavities and other tooth and jaw problems. If a cavity is detected during a checkup, your family dentist can provide treatment with a dental filling before it develops into a more serious problem that may require a crown, dental implant, root canal, or other restorative procedure.
Our family dentists understand how teeth change with age.
Just a few of the services offered by our family dentists are:
- Regular cleanings
- Fluoride treatments
- Cavity identification and filling
- Orthodontics
- Treatments for gum disease
Dental care for children should begin even before they are born. This starts with a mother’s good oral health during pregnancy. After a baby is born, Yakima Neighborhood Health Services wants children to see the dentist as soon as they have a sign of a first tooth. Dentists at Neighborhood Health even visit children during their medical exams to make it convenient for the family.
Q. When should my child first see a dentist?
A. Pediatric health care providers now suggest baby’s first visit by their first birthday or no later than six months after the first baby tooth appears.
Q. Why so early? What dental problems could a baby have?
A. Dental problems in the form of early childhood cavities or tooth decay can begin in the first years of life.
Q. When should I start cleaning my baby’s teeth?
A Starting at birth, clean your baby’s gums using a wet, soft-bristled infant toothbrush, a cotton finger cloth or a baby washcloth. Dental home care can begin on the changing table prior to diaper changes! Be creative. Use games, music and singing but be persistent. A thorough cleaning prior to bedtime is essential each day.
Q. When should bottle feeding be stopped?
A. Children should be weaned from the bottle at 12-14 months. Avoid putting baby to bed with a bottle containing anything other than water.
Call to get your child in for a dental evaluation.
Schedule an appointment now at one of our convenient neighborhood clinics.