Meadowlark Family Dentistry is a Kelso based family dentist practice that treats patients of all ages. We are committed to delivering the highest quality dental care and do so using advanced dental equipment. We are a cosmetic dentist that offers services like checkups, teeth cleaning, crowns, veneers and more.
A family dentist serves patients of most ages, addressing their different oral health needs as they grow older. Patients can keep seeing the same family dentist or the same group of family dentists for decades. Family dentist practices function as primary care dentists and treat family members such as parents, children, and grandparents.
Family dentists work with both children and adults to care for these patients as they grow and change. These dentists emphasize patient involvement by providing accessible, continuous, patient-centered, and comprehensive care. The hallmarks of many family dentistry practices include services that benefit patients at all stages of life, such as:
Family dentists make a point of getting to know their patients. They encourage regular checkups and catch emerging issues such as cavities. They provide continuity of care even if patients do not see the same professional on each visit. Information such as medical histories, diagnoses, and treatment plans are less likely to fall through any cracks. Centralized paperwork and familiarity with medical history also help dentists pinpoint and treat various oral health issues.
A family dentist can practice alone, but some partner with other dentists. Whatever the case, a family dentist treats various needs. Patients often turn to their family dental practice for checkups, cleanings, cavity prevention and treatment, tooth decay deterrence, and gum disease prevention. Some practices may even provide orthodontic services, cosmetic dentistry, pediatric dentistry, and other types of specialized dentistry. When necessary, family dentists refer patients to specialized dentists for other types of treatment.
A patient's first visit to a family dentist will consist of a thorough physical examination to assess their needs and current dental health. This will involve a dental exam and updated X-rays. X-rays are particularly essential as they can diagnose and evaluate any potential issues that an exam cannot detect. Meadowlark Family Dentistry will also perform a thorough dental cleaning as part of the first visit. Then, once completed, our team will discuss any X-ray results and devise a customized treatment plan to meet each patient's unique needs.
A. Family dentists treat most ages, caring for both children and senior citizens. If the practice includes a pediatric dentist, it might accept infant patients. Otherwise, a family dentist tends to see children once they are in kindergarten.
A. Most likely, yes. However, if the cavity is severe enough, family dentists may need to refer patients elsewhere for more specialized care. Regular checkups with your family dentist can help prevent cavities.
A. In general, each patient should visit once or twice a year. Dentists prefer to see children every six months. Meanwhile, adults with teeth in excellent condition might visit only once a year. People who are pregnant, undergoing chemotherapy, or dealing with serious health issues may need to visit their dentist more frequently than twice a year. We can help determine your unique risk profile.
By visiting us as soon as possible, our team can help get you the professional treatment you need. Instead of waiting around and allowing the symptoms to get worse, we can provide you with treatment options.
Invisalign is one of the most common treatments used to address teeth straightening problems. General dentists recommendInvisalign quite frequently due to the many associated benefits and ease of the treatment process.One thing to know aboutInvisalign is that it cannot address all orthodontic issues. However, it is a great option for misalignments and crowding, both of
We are committed to providing quality service to residents located In the Kelso, WA area. Our website has additional information about the following topics: Dentist, Cosmetic Dentist, Family Dentist, Emergency Dentist, General Dentist, Dental Implants, Dental Veneers, Teeth Whitening, Dental Crowns and Dental Bridges.
Everyone deserves a smile that they can be proud of. One of the most common ways to enhance a smile is through teeth whitening. Professional whitening achieves long-lasting results by removing stains and discoloration.
Teeth whitening at the dentists office is the safest and most effective method of achieving whiter teeth. In-office whitening occurs under carefully monitored conditions. Teeth whitening under professional supervision allows for safe, controlled, pain-free treatment.
Professional whitening products use a stronger concentration of hydrogen peroxide than over-the-counter products. Thus the whitening process takes less time to achieve better results. Treatment under a dentists care ensures that sensitive gums are not irritated during the whitening process. The results should be long-lasting with careful oral hygiene practices.
We will also examine the patients teeth to see if they will benefit from whitening treatments. It is important to note that existing dental work, such as crowns and veneers, will not respond to conventional whitening agents. If treatments are a viable option, we will help determine which whitening product or technique will be the most effective.
Teeth can get three to eight shades whiter with several 30 to 60-minute sessions. Other tooth whitening treatments are available that can whiten teeth in a single two-hour session. People interested in teeth whitening should contact us for information about the available treatment options.
Teeth whitening at the dentist is best for people with moderate to severe discoloration and staining. These stains can occur due to aging, smoking, medications, and certain foods and drinks. People with yellow or brown discoloration on their teeth are ideal candidates for professional teeth whitening. Pregnant and lactating women should also not receive teeth whitening.
We do not recommend teeth whitening for people with gum disease, worn down enamel, and existing decay. Cavities and damage will require treatment before a person can whiten their teeth. People with teeth that are gray or purple may not respond to bleaching. People interested in teeth whitening can speak with our team to determine the best-suited options for their needs.
Although professional teeth whitening is not permanent, people can help their results last longer with proper care and maintenance. People should avoid smoking and food and drinks that stain teeth, such as coffee, tea, or red wine. It is also essential to brush teeth twice a day, floss daily, and use mouthwash to reduce plaque.
A. It is considered a safe procedure. There are possible side effects, though. The teeth may become more sensitive during treatment. Gums can become irritated from the whitening process. These symptoms should go away once the whitening products are no longer being used.
A. Whitening products only work on natural teeth. A person with implants, crowns, or bridges can speak with our team about maintaining tooth coloration across all teeth. People with previous dental work can still receive a whitening treatment.