The Benefits of Choosing a Family Dentist

Family dentists specialize in treating patients of all ages. At a family dentist’s office, patients of all ages can receive routine preventive dental care and cosmetic treatments. They can also treat more specialized dental issues, like dental emergencies. Here are the common benefits of choosing a family dentist in Indianapolis, IN: CONVENIENCE Going to a family dental office means you won’t have to find time to schedule all of your kids’ appointments and then schedule your own appointment separately. Instead, you can all fit your dental cleanings and checkups into your busy schedules together. NO MORE STRANGE FACES Another benefit of choosing a family dentist is that your children won’t have to adjust to seeing a new dentist with each visit. Your children never have to worry about meeting a stranger who doesn’t have a familiar face from their childhood to help them feel comfortable. This way, your kids will be more at ease in the dental chair every time. BETTER RELATIONSHIPS A family dentist is able to get to know each member of your family, including your young children. This can help the dentist to build a strong relationship with your children and ensure that they feel comfortable and at ease during future visits. Because your children will be comfortable with this family dentist, they may even be able to begin their own dental care at a younger age. In addition to helping build a relationship with your child, a family dentist can also help to establish this relationship with your entire family. It can be easy for adults to feel anxious while at the dentist when they are faced with their loved ones sitting in the waiting room as well. However, when you opt for a family dentist that you trust, you may be more likely to see everyone in your family for routine or emergency care. This can help ease any pressures associated with visiting a dentist and help put your mind at ease knowing that your loved ones’ smiles are in good hands. BETTER HYGIENE During family appointments, your dentist can discuss habits that can reduce your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. For example, children should brush their teeth at least twice each day for two minutes each session. They can also floss each night before bed, which reduces the risk of cavities between teeth that touch when you chew. Your dentist can also recommend certain products that can reduce your chances of decay and gum disease. BETTER HEALTH Choosing the same dentist for the whole family means better overall health for everyone! A family dentist can detect early signs of serious medical problems, like diabetes or oral cancer. When a dentist sees a family regularly for checkups and treatments, he or she can also catch problems like cavities and gum disease before they get worse and cause more problems. Regular visits also give the dentist a chance to spot any potentially harmful habits like teeth grinding or nail biting that need to be addressed. BETTER RESULTS You’ll have much better results if you choose a family dentist in Indianapolis, IN, to take care of your entire family’s smiles. That means you won’t have to switch dentists every time your family grows or you have little ones who need to begin seeing a dentist for the first time! A family dentist is equipped to care for patients of all ages, so you’ll never have to worry about going to a new practice when your children become teenagers, and their teeth begin to shift. Your family’s oral health will be a priority at our practice, and we want you to be comfortable with us. It’s much easier to develop a trusting relationship with our dentist in Indianapolis, IN, when you know they can help everyone in your household.  To learn more about family dentistry in Indianapolis, IN, contact Carmel Smiles at (317) 581-0215 or visit us at 3091 East 98th Street, Suite 220, Indianapolis, IN 46280.

Improve Your Smile With Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry in Indianapolis, IN, is often defined as any dental procedure that improves the appearance or aesthetics of one’s smile. While there are cosmetic dental procedures that are just intended to repair the damage, such as cracked or chipped teeth, most procedures are intended to improve the appearance of a person’s smile.  Many patients turn to cosmetic dentistry in Indianapolis, IN, as a way to make minor, aesthetic improvements to their smiles. Some techniques are also intended to improve the function of a patient’s bite. Others combine both function and beauty into one procedure.  TYPES OF PROCEDURES UNDER COSMETIC DENTISTRY IN INDIANAPOLIS, IN Whitening Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures because it can greatly improve the appearance of your smile in just one appointment. We offer at-home whitening trays, as well as in-office treatments. Both options provide dramatic results, but in-office treatments are usually quicker and provide better results. Veneers Dental veneers are thin shells that are placed onto the front of your teeth to cover up imperfections, such as chips or cracks. Veneers are made from a composite resin material that can be color-matched to the rest of your natural teeth for a seamless appearance. The treatment can be completed in just two easy appointments at our dental office near Indianapolis, IN.  Dental Bonding In addition to enhancing the appearance of your teeth, cosmetic bonding can also be used to repair damaged teeth. For instance, if you have chipped a tooth due to trauma or decay, then your dentist can use tooth-colored composite resin to fill in the chip and restore the tooth’s appearance. With the proper care and maintenance, the bonded area can last for several years before needing repair or replacement. Dental Bridges A dental bridge is a customized false tooth that is fused between two dental crowns. Usually, these crowns are placed on the teeth on either side of the gap where a tooth is missing. The artificial tooth is cemented into position and functions just like a natural tooth. This restoration can be used to replace one missing tooth or multiple missing teeth in a row. For example, if a patient has two teeth in a row that are missing, the two neighboring teeth are prepared for the bridge, and then the crowns are joined together in the middle with a false tooth in between. Bridges are often recommended for patients who want a permanent solution to their tooth loss. They do require special cleaning and maintenance in order to prevent the buildup of plaque and bacteria in the gaps left behind by missing teeth. Dental Implants Dental implants are one of the most versatile forms of cosmetic treatments available, as they replace both tooth roots and crowns. Patients who use dental implants to replace teeth or stabilize dentures are able to eat and speak normally and without any embarrassment. The dental implant process begins with inserting a metal post into the jawbone where the missing tooth was. From there, the metal post is given time to fuse with the bone in a process called osseointegration. This can take anywhere from three to six months, but once the post is integrated into the jaw, it’s ready for the crown to be placed on top of it. ADVANTAGES OF COSMETIC DENTISTRY IN INDIANAPOLIS, IN There are many reasons to choose cosmetic dentistry in Indianapolis, IN, including to: * Increase your self-esteem and confidence. * Have healthy teeth and a beautiful smile. * Improve your bite and chewing efficiency. * Close gaps between your teeth. * Whiten stained or discolored teeth. * Fix minor chips or cracks in your teeth. * Repair defects in your teeth. * Replace old metal fillings with tooth-colored fillings. * Straighten teeth that are crooked or misaligned. * Change the shape of teeth that are too long or too short. * Improve the alignment and overall appearance of your smile. To learn more about cosmetic dentistry in Indianapolis, IN, contact Carmel Smiles at (317) 581-0215 or visit us at 3091 East 98th Street, Suite 220, Indianapolis, IN 46280.

How Professional Teeth Whitening Works?

Teeth whitening in Indianapolis, IN, is one of the most sought-after cosmetic treatments. It lightens the shade of your teeth and helps to get rid of discoloration. WHAT CAUSES TEETH STAINS? Tobacco: Smoking or using tobacco products like chewing, snuff, or cigarettes will stain your teeth over time. Coffee and Tea: Both coffee and tea contain tannins and other pigments that cling to the teeth and cause staining. Poor Oral Hygiene: If you don’t brush your teeth regularly or properly, food particles may stick around and lead to yellowing or darkening of the enamel. Bacteria can also thrive on plaque buildup, leading to tooth decay and cavities. Aging: As people age, the outer layer of enamel wears away, revealing the darker dentin underneath. This can make your teeth appear darker and yellowed. Medications: Some medications can cause tooth discoloration as a side effect. For example, tetracycline can darken the tooth’s color. Genetics: Some people have naturally brighter enamel than others. If your family has discolored teeth, you may have the same issues as you get older. Diet: Foods such as berries, soy sauce, curry, and tomato sauce can be highly pigmented and may stick to your teeth. Trauma: A blow to the face can lead to a tooth being chipped or cracked. This can expose the pulp to bacteria, which can eat away at it and cause the tooth to turn brown or black. WHAT IS PROFESSIONAL TEETH WHITENING IN INDIANAPOLIS, IN? A professional teeth whitening treatment uses a higher concentration of whitening agents to achieve dramatic results in a short period of time. During in-office treatments, patients meet with their dentist to discuss their options for whitening. Then the dentist applies the whitening solution to the teeth and protects the surrounding gum tissue with a barrier. In-office whitening may be recommended if stains have accumulated on the teeth over time and don’t respond well to at-home whitening products. In most cases, though, you will need to undergo more than one session to get your desired results.  Patients are given a list of foods to avoid while undergoing a professional whitening treatment. The teeth should be cleaned thoroughly after every meal to prevent staining and discoloration while the whitening gel is at work. With proper care and maintenance, the results achieved with professional teeth whitening in Indianapolis, IN, can last for years.  To learn more about teeth whitening in Indianapolis, IN, contact Carmel Smiles at (317) 581-0215 or visit us at 3091 East 98th Street, Suite 220, Indianapolis, IN 46280.

Knowing When You Need an Emergency Dental Care

Dental emergencies may range from mild to severe, and it’s important that you seek dental help as soon as you can. The sooner you’re treated, the less damage you’ll likely experience. WHAT COUNTS AS AN EMERGENCY? If you’re having pain in your mouth, and you can’t wait until your next appointment to have it looked at, it’s considered an emergency situation. We understand that dental problems don’t always happen during normal business hours. That’s why we offer same-day appointments for emergency dentistry in Indianapolis, IN. If you don’t see a dentist right away after an oral accident, it can become much worse. Nerve damage is one of the most common long-term consequences of waiting too long to visit the dentist following an accident or injury. If you’ve had a tooth knocked out of your mouth, it’s important to save it if possible. A tooth that has been knocked out can dry out and decay very quickly. You can rinse it off gently with warm water but don’t scrub it. Place it in a cup of milk to preserve it properly until you can see your dentist. When you come to see us for emergency dentistry in Indianapolis, IN, we’ll take care of anything that you need to be done as quickly as possible. Our goal is to get you out of pain fast. That may mean fixing a cracked tooth, performing a root canal on a diseased tooth, or even placing a dental implant to replace a lost tooth or one that is too damaged to save. Whatever the situation is, we’ll work quickly to relieve your pain and get you back to feeling like yourself again. WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I THINK I HAVE AN EMERGENCY? If you have trouble breathing, are experiencing a severe toothache or swelling in your mouth, or have a broken tooth, you should call your dentist right away. The earlier you come in for treatment, the better your chances of avoiding further complications. If you aren’t able to come into the dentist’s office right away, you can apply a cold compress to the affected area to reduce swelling and pain until you can come in. HOW DO I KNOW IF I NEED EMERGENCY DENTISTRY IN INDIANAPOLIS, IN? Many people avoid visiting the dentist, even when they know they have a problem that needs to be fixed soon. This can result in the issue becoming worse and more expensive to fix later down the line. If you are experiencing any pain or discomfort in your mouth, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. At Carmel Smiles, we know that accidents happen and that you may need to be seen for an emergency appointment. Here are the most common signs that you need to see a dentist right away for emergency dentistry in Indianapolis, IN: * You have an injury to a tooth or several teeth. * Your tooth is loose, or you are experiencing severe swelling of the gums. * You have a missing permanent tooth * You are experiencing excessive bleeding when brushing your teeth. * You have a broken or lost dental crown. * You feel like your tooth is broken, but you can’t tell for sure. * There is a part of your mouth that is swollen and painful to the touch. * You wake up to extreme pain in your jaw or mouth. * You experience severe pain that gets worse over time. These are some of the most common signs that you should see us ASAP for a same-day appointment!  To learn more about emergency dentistry in Indianapolis, IN, contact Carmel Smiles at (317) 581-0215 or visit us at 3091 East 98th Street, Suite 220, Indianapolis, IN 46280.