Family Dentistry: An Overview
Metropolitan Center for Complete Dentistry is a family dentist office serving patients of all ages in East Hanover and Summit, NJ. Family dentistry offers the convenience of high-quality general dentistry under one roof for your whole family.
Our dental care team is experienced in treating dental concerns throughout all phases of oral development. We focus on patient education and disease prevention for growing smiles to help build healthy lifelong oral habits. We strive to provide personalized, patient-focused dental care that keeps your family smiling.
Family dentistry is convenient for busy parents and caregivers. Our family dental practice makes it possible to provide your entire family with dental care in one central location.
Dr. Upadya is experienced in caring for growing smiles and offers pediatric services to help your child’s smile develop properly. Family dentistry also allows your child to remain with the same dentist throughout their childhood and into adulthood.
Early Life Dental Care
It is recommended that children begin visiting the dentist by their first birthday. This first visit allows your child to get accustomed to the sounds and sights of the dentist’s office. Your child will meet our staff, explore the office, and learn that the dentist is a welcoming and comfortable experience.
Visits to the dentist early on in life allow Dr. Upadya to monitor the development of your child’s primary and adult teeth. Diagnostic digital x-rays help predict how teeth will erupt and can allow for early intervention should an issue arise.
Caring for your child’s smile is important for their social and physical well-being. Healthy primary teeth allow proper chewing aid in speech development and enable a varied, nutritious diet. Children who learn healthy oral hygiene habits early on in life are less likely to develop gum disease or tooth loss and experience lower rates of tooth decay.
Family Dentistry: What to Expect
We provide your children with the pediatric dental care necessary to help them smile comfortably and confidently. Our dental services are tailored to your child’s stage of oral development and focus on maintaining and caring for their natural smile.
Pediatric dental services include:
- Teeth cleaning
- Dental fillings
- Dental sealants
- Invisalign invisible braces
- Sports mouth guards
- Restorative dentistry
Preventing Cavities in Children
Tooth decay remains a leading childhood disease. Tooth decay can be prevented and is considered a serious oral health epidemic.
Children who experience higher rates of childhood tooth decay are more prone to a lifetime of oral health and systemic health issues. Tooth decay can be preventable with routine dental care and good at-home oral hygiene.
Regular visits to the Metropolitan Center for Complete Dentistry enable our dentists to spot the early signs of decay and disease before more complex problems develop. Visiting the dentist regularly also lays the foundation for a lifetime of healthy oral hygiene habits.
Our dental care team will always offer age-appropriate oral hygiene advice and instructions on brushing and flossing techniques. We encourage parents and caregivers to get involved in their child’s oral health care at home and the dentist.
Young patients are influenced by their role models- and setting a good example can help your child, and you enjoy better oral health.
Family Dentistry FAQs
What are the benefits of a family dentist?
Seeing a family dentist is a great option for families. You can schedule appointments around each other to conveniently get your dental visits in at or around the same time. Family dentists are specially trained in children’s oral health, so they can give great tips and tricks to monitor and keep your child’s oral care in check.
What happens if you don’t go to the dentist in 3 years?
It is recommended that patients visit the dentist every six months or twice annually. If you have not been to the dentist in 3 years, scheduling a dental cleaning and examination is a good idea. The dentist will thoroughly clean your teeth and look for signs of cavities, disease, and advanced issues.
What should I look for in a family dentist?
When looking for a family dentist near you, choose somewhere your family will feel comfortable. Good family dentists communicate well with each family member to ensure you are always informed about your family’s oral health.
How can parents help children enjoy visits to the dentist?
One way to calm your child’s fears about going to the dentist ahead of time is by discussing the dentist with them and describing it as a fun experience. This will give them a positive conception of the dentist and reduce the likelihood of your child feeling scared.
Do you have to brush your teeth before visiting the dentist?
Cleaning your teeth before visiting the dentist is always a good idea. We encourage patients to brush and floss their teeth before their next dental appointment.
Does a deep dental cleaning hurt?
Your dentist may use a local anesthetic to make you comfortable during a deep cleaning. The anesthetic is used to numb your mouth so you won’t feel anything during the appointment.