Dr. Matthew Ford leads Legends Family Dental in Glendale, Arizona, where he combines compassionate care with advanced dental technology. He originally considered a career in medicine, but after being encouraged to explore dentistry, he quickly found his calling. After graduating at the top of his class, Dr. Ford built his approach around giving each patient personal attention. Today, new technology has renewed his excitement for dentistry by helping his team provide high-quality care more efficiently.
Do you brush and floss as much as you recommend?
I try to, as we all do. But I’m a human too and I’ll forget sometimes. Now with my son, I’m more on it because he’s going to see what Dad does. If Dad doesn’t do it, then he doesn’t think he needs to.
What is your favorite flavor floss?
I like mint. But as far as fluoride (mouthwash) goes, the bubble gum is one of my favorites. It’s always been since I was a kid.
Electric or manual toothbrush?
Electric, hands down. I mean, it’s going to be better than anything else you can do. And it doesn’t matter which one you buy, You can have a choo-choo on it or a toy car. But, electric is going to be way better than manual.
Which celebrity has the best smile?
I’m the dentist that works with the San Diego Padres, so the best smile I’ve seen on a baseball players is probably Fernando Tatis Jr. I mean, that guy’s got teeth that glow.
If you could tell patients to stop doing one thing, what would it be?
Stop vaping. Because vape is basically vegetable oil, and you’re really just wrapping the inside of your lungs with plastic wrap.
What is the best dental advice you like to give your patients?
The dirty little secret is this: decay doesn’t happen overnight. If you want to put a dentist out of business, get your teeth cleaned every three months. There’s not going to be enough time for decay to set in, because you’re going to get that stuff off there. If you get your teeth cleaned every three months, chances are you’re probably never going to have any decay. If you do, it’s going to be minor.
What is the best thing about being a Delta Dental dentist?
With Delta Dental, everything’s pretty straight forward. They’re almost the gold standard. They’re easy to work with and I’ve never had any issues with Delta Dental.
How would you describe oral health’s impact on your patients’ overall health and well-being?
Overall health starts in the mouth. If a patient’s not taking care of their mouth, chances are they’re not taking care of themselves.
What’s your favorite tooth-healthy snack and what makes it good for your smile?
An apple is my favorite. I mean, it’s delicious.
What are some things that a diabetic patient should be thinking about or that you think about when treating a patient with diabetes?
Diabetic patients can get infections quickly, even if they’ve done everything right. I always want to look at pathology sooner. We might also take x-rays more often. Ideally, diabetic patients would get their teeth cleaned more often, so we can catch things before they become a bigger issue.
If you were stuck on a desert island, what three items would you bring?
I can’t stand my teeth not being clean. Honestly, I would take a toothbrush because it would drive me nuts. I would also bring a fire starter and a way to purify water.
