At Beautiful Smiles, Dr. Benjamin Stevens is happy to welcome patients of all ages. Your entire family can get quality dental care under one roof in our office. From the youngest patients to the oldest, Dr. Stevens is a family dentist conveniently located in Greenwood, IN that can provide age-specific dental care for all. We recognize that different ages have different dental needs, so we tailor each dental exam to provide the most relevant services.
What To Expect From Family Dentistry In Greenwood, IN
Family dentistry at our office is about building a relationship with our patients and ensuring the health and appearance of your smile. We want to provide a space where you’re comfortable and relaxed when getting your biannual dental checkups and cleanings. Dr. Stevens and the dental team develop personal relationships with our patients and are invested in their success and happiness.
Personalized dental care is crucial in our office. Each patient is different, and we want to ensure we provide the correct care for your specific issue. We create a treatment plan that’s specific to your needs. You should look forward to your biannual dental visits and know that your dentist provides the highest quality of care. We make your oral and overall health our top priority.
Pediatric Dental Care
Children should start seeing the dentist before their first birthday or within six months of their first tooth erupting. As soon as there are teeth, they must be taken care of properly. We can do an exam and instruct you on how to help your child brush their teeth. The dentist will also provide tips for the child’s diet to avoid problems with tooth decay.
Starting your child with dental care early also helps with dental anxiety. If your child is nervous, you can sit in the room with them, and they can sit with you while you get dental work done. Getting them used to the dentist early is beneficial for them continuing with their oral health journey into adulthood.
With regular family dental care, we can monitor their oral health and changes as they continue to grow. Pediatric tooth decay is a prevalent issue, and we can discuss the possibility of dental sealants as a preventative measure. We can also refer or recommend an orthodontist if we see the need for orthodontic care as the permanent teeth erupt.
Wisdom Teeth
As children reach their late teens and early twenties, wisdom teeth develop and may erupt. Most of the time, our jaws don’t have enough room for this extra set of molars. We usually recommend extracting wisdom teeth. Regular dental care visits allow us to keep an eye on their development and see problems ahead of time.
Wisdom teeth that erupt risk crowding the smile, causing cramped and crooked teeth. This is an extra problem if the patient already had orthodontic work, as wisdom tooth eruption can cause the smile to backtrack. Wisdom teeth can also be impacted under the surface of the gums. Impacted wisdom teeth cause pain and infection if left impacted in the jaw. We’ll do a thorough evaluation to determine the best course of action for you.
The Importance of Baby Teeth
It’s common for people to think that baby teeth aren’t as important as permanent teeth. This is a misguided assumption. Baby teeth are essential for the development of your permanent smile. Problems with baby teeth can lead to problems in adulthood. Teeth are also important during speech development and ensuring that your child gets a varied, healthy diet.
Baby teeth are basically placeholders for future permanent teeth. They keep a place in the jaw for the permanent teeth that are developing under the gums. If a baby tooth is lost too early, the permanent tooth can shift and become crooked. Other permanent teeth may not have a place to go when they’re ready, leading to a cramped and crooked smile. This creates a need for further treatment in the future.
Dental Care For Seniors
Just like children, seniors have unique needs when it comes to their dental care. As our teeth age, they’re more likely to be discolored. The bright white outer layer of enamel wears down, exposing more of the off-white dentin layer underneath. Lifestyle habits increase discoloration as well. If you’re a smoker or regular coffee drinker, you’ll have more staining and discoloration on your teeth than someone who doesn’t.
Other cosmetic issues are prevalent as we age. Our teeth wear down with regular chewing and use. Small chips and cracks are more likely as time goes on. It can be easy to see that your teeth carry the years of your age on them. Solutions like porcelain veneers can take years off of your smile.
Older adults are also more likely to have problems with gum disease, oral cancer, or tooth loss. Because of this, it’s important that seniors keep up with regular dental care, as catching problems early makes them easier to treat.
Teeth whitening services can help with the slow discoloration of your teeth, while deep cleaning periodontal therapy can help with various stages of gum disease. We offer various tooth replacement options if you end up with tooth loss because of your age. Most prominent among these are dental implants because of the various benefits they provide to your oral health.
Family Dentistry FAQs
Why should I choose a family dentist?
Dr. Stevens is a family dentist who can treat every family member. This can be convenient for busy families who do not have time to travel between several offices. Every six months, you can bring everyone in for their checkup during a single visit. It can also ease your child’s anxiety to have them treated by the same people that treat you.
When should my child get sealants?
When your child’s molars begin to erupt, we will suggest putting dental sealants on them. Sealants provide extra protection from tooth decay on the molars. We apply them when the first set of molars erupts, which is typically around age six. Then we will apply them again when the second set of molars erupts, typically around age 12.
How can I help my children avoid cavities?
Childhood cavities are very prevalent. Children often indulge in high-sugar foods, a major cause of tooth decay. They also do not know how to clean their teeth yet properly. Helping your child thoroughly brush their teeth twice a day will help prevent tooth decay. Additionally, bringing them in for regular dental appointments every six months will ensure they maintain good oral health.
Schedule A Dental Exam for your Whole Family Today
For comprehensive, personalized family dental care near you, schedule an appointment at Beautiful Smiles. Call us today or request an appointment today!