A family dentist is much like a family doctor – they are your first point of contact for any questions or concerns you have about your dental health or if you are experiencing any abnormal symptoms related to your teeth, gums, or mouth. They are also focused on preventative and proper care of the teeth, gums, and mouth for patients of all ages, starting even before young children have their first tooth. Family dentists will perform regular checkups and cleanings, provide patients with the proper techniques for brushing and flossing, and perform preventative screenings, such as X-rays, to monitor for early signs of concern. By having a family dentist, you will have a single saved location for all of your dental records, as well as the dental records of any family members, to help monitor for dental diseases or conditions that run in the family. A family dentist can also ensure that any necessary information is shared with dental specialists, as needed for additional treatments, and keep track of any specialist treatments to have all procedures documented together.