How to choose the right dentist for your families needs

Regular dental visits are such an important part of maintaining good health and hygiene. Without proper dental care you can have problems eating, suffer through unnecessary pain, and damage your image and confidence. With regular dental checkups you can detect other health issues you may be unaware you even had so it is best to see a dentist every six months. But how do you know which dentist to choose with the millions of options available? There are basic dentists, dental specialists, orthodontists and pediatric dentists just to name a few. Here is a great way to help you decide which dentist your family needs.

1. Are you in need of basic dentistry like checkups, cleanings and fillings or do you require specialized care? There are a number of dentists that do basic dentistry and don’t have access to specialty tools or sedating drugs. If you are afraid of  the dentist or have special requests you may need to call around and  find a dentist qualified to do specialty cases. Some dentists share their offices with pediatric dentists or orthodontists and can even give you a referral to the dentist that suits your needs. For best results, keep your search specific to location to schedule the visit. You can list down the ones who treat all types of dental emergencies such as swollen mouth, severe toothache or lodged food. To know more, click here.

2. Would you like a pediatric dentist to treat your children? Many specially trained pediatric dentists have their offices child mind decorated and oriented creating a more friendly and play space environment. There are dentists that have their walls painted in bright cheery colours, have playground equipment in the waiting room and even have TVs with cartoons on the ceiling to create a soothing distraction to ease them into the process. Many children have a fear of visiting the dentist and these pediatric dentists are specially trained to explain how the dentist works and why it is important for you to have regular checkups. Another great thing pediatric dentists can supply is the use of mild laughing gas. This is one of the best ways for a uncooperative child to be put into a more relaxed state and get through their appointments without any fear. Laughing gas has no lasting side affects and is gone from their system in about ten minutes after they turn the tank off and pump regular oxygen in for them to breathe. If your child is in need of a dental surgery or unconscious sedation the pediatric dentist will be able to walk you through all of the steps and create a comfortable plan for both parent and child.

3. Another thing you may need to take into consideration is which dentist you can afford. Specialists charge a larger fee than your average dentist and depending on what type of dental insurance you have you might be looking at paying a lot out of pocket. Local Dental Services London is a surprisingly affordable option for those who don't want to spend £500+ on regular dental care. It’s always worth your time to call around and find out how each dentist accepts payment as well. Some dentists prefer you to pay upfront and have your insurance company reimburse you later on whereas others will deal directly with your insurance making it a bit easier on you in the long run. Some dentists have been known to allow their long-term patients to begin a payment plan if they cannot afford to pay the bill all at one time. This is such a great option for single parents or those who cannot afford huge dental bills. Having this barrier removed from dental visits makes seeing the dentist a possibility for everyone.

4. Appointment times can be a challenge for most working families as well. If your lucky you can find a dentist that has evening appointments or even has spaces available on the weekend. There are a few dentists that will do emergency appointments as well but be prepared for extra fees on those visits. Most dentists care a lot about their patients and want to make sure they are getting the best care and have no issues with their visits but if you ever do you can usually call and get your dentists emergency or home line to ask important questions or book an emergency visit. 

These are just a few things to consider when looking for your family dentist, but you will also need to be comfortable with the person who is handling your families dental visits. If you don’t feel comfortable or don’t seem to get along with your dentist it may be time to look for a new one. Your comfort is most important when paying for such a personal service.