How to pick the right family dentist in Hoover, AL

When it comes to finding the best “dentist office near me,” or the best family dentist, it pays to do your homework ahead of time. Because while you can easily bounce back from a disappointing dinner or lousy latte, having a negative dental experience can have a greater long-term impact on your oral health and wellbeing. But when you start off with a dental office that fits your and your family’s needs, you can start elevating your oral health and general wellbeing as soon as the very first visit.

So whether you recently moved to Hoover, are on your own for the very first time, or aren’t happy with your current dental office, here are 5 tips on how to find the “best dentist near me,” so you and your family can soak up the numerous benefits great oral health brings.

1. Consider the big picture.

Alongside offering convenient hours near your home, school, or workplace, the right dentist office will also offer a broad scope of services that covers the many ways your dental needs might evolve over time or unexpectedly change. Choosing a practice that offers comprehensive services will save you from having to bounce around from office to office, while increasing the likelihood that you’ll actually pursue the dental services and treatments that you and your family want and need.

Here are four top areas of dentistry to look for in your next dentist office, with the benefits of having access to each.

General Dentistry

General dentistry is the part of dentistry that you probably know best—and can expect to be exceptional. The cornerstone of a family dentist practice, general dentistry aims to prevent and treat common dental issues, such as cavities, periodontal (gum) disease, and bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching) through routine exams and cleanings, restorative treatments, periodontal and root canal therapies, mouth guards, and oral cancer screenings.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry acknowledges that how you feel about your smile’s appearance can have a profound impact on your emotional and social wellbeing. While feeling satisfied with your smile can boost your confidence and help you feel expressive and carefree, feeling unhappy with your smile can trigger social anxiety, thwart your self-expression, and hold you back from pursuing professional and social opportunities.

Finding a family dentist that is well versed in cosmetic dentistry treatments, such as professional teeth whitening and porcelain veneers, can help you transform your smile’s appearance, elevate your self-confidence, and support your oral and overall health.

Pediatric Dentistry

Pediatric dentistry is a specialized branch of general dentistry that is specifically tailored to a child’s unique health and psychological needs. Alongside completing a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM) degree, pediatric dentists complete an additional three years of highly specialized training (more on that in #3), so your child has a positive experience as they receive the age-appropriate dental care they need.

Orthodontics

Orthodontists are specialized dentists that can help you tangibly improve your smile’s health, function, and appearance by correcting misalignments in the teeth and jaws (called malocclusion) with braces or aligner therapy.

While many general dentists offer aligner therapy, only orthodontists are specialized in holistically treating many common orthodontic complaints, including overbites, underbites, crossbites, and misaligned or crowded teeth. Like pediatric dentists, orthodontists complete an additional two years of accredited postdoctoral training after receiving a DDS or DDM in order to provide the best orthodontic treatment options and outcomes for patients of all ages.

2. Be picky about specialities.

There’s something to be said about selecting a dental office where each dentist is devoted to their area of expertise. When you choose a practice where the dentists excel at their speciality—instead of dabbling in many—you have the reassurance that they will have the specialized knowledge and experience to best address your general, cosmetic, pediatric, or orthodontic needs.

3. Go expert for your child’s smile.

From the moment they sprout their first tooth until they lose their last baby tooth, your child’s smile requires special at-home and dental care. Of course, children are still developing an understanding of the world around them and may be resistant to or afraid of oral health care, even (or especially!) from their parents.

With an experienced pediatric dentist, you’ve got an expert on your side to help tend to your child’s developmental stage and distinctive oral health needs. Alongside offering a fun, kid-friendly environment that’s supportive and caring, children’s dentists and their dental team genuinely love working with kids and are skilled at delivering positive behavior support techniques to help your child develop a healthy relationship with their smile and dentistry.

Taking the extra step to find the best “kids dentist near me” also gives you the peace of mind that your child’s pediatric dentist has successfully been put to the test. Board-certified pediatric dentists have completed an additional three years of specialized education and training and have also passed a face-to-face test administered by a panel of highly respected and experienced pediatric dentists.

4. Pursue the right fit with your dental team.

When you feel safe and comfortable with your dental team, you’ll be more likely to ask questions, express concerns, and—most importantly—keep coming back for routine visits and treatments.

Look for a patient-centered practice that makes you feel welcome, seen, and heard from your very first email, phone call, or visit. When you’ve found the right practice, you’ll feel at ease and valued by the office staff, dental hygienists, and dentists.

5. Find out what real patients have to say.

“Amazing staff and very knowledgeable! I love that they explain what to expect during each visit! I can’t see taking my family anywhere else!” —TaShunda C.

Given the scathing reviews that can be found in any corner of the internet, you probably won’t be surprised to learn that humans are more likely to remember something negative than positive (this is called a negativity bias).

So when patients take the time to write a positive review about their dentist office, it’s likely that they’re genuinely pleased with the high quality care, service, and treatments they received. Look for a practice whose positive reviews outweigh the negatives and take stock of what patients consistently have to say about their experience.

At Brocks Gap Dentistry, we’re honored to provide the Hoover, AL, community with the best in comprehensive and compassionate dental care at each and every visit. To learn more about our practice or to schedule your first appointment, contact our office today.