It’s often a surprise to parents when they get advised to take their child to an orthodontist early in life. When children have reached the age of seven, they should be scheduled to see an orthodontist for the first time. During this visit, the dentist will have a chance to explore the overall health of […]
Amalgam fillings are the most common fillings out. While the name sounds complicated, these are the silver fillings that many people have. While they’re commonly called silver fillings, they’re actually a mix (amalgamation) of mercury, copper, silver, and tin. Approximately half of the amalgam filling is made of mercury because of it superior strength and […]
The dentists at Smiling Kids Pediatric Dentistry in Indianapolis, Indiana offer frenectomy services to treat tongue ties and lip ties in infants. This procedure addresses restricted frenum, also referred to as the thin piece of tissue that secures other muscles, such as the tongue or the upper lip. What are the symptoms of a tongue […]
We all try to make healthy choices when it comes to our diet, but many of the snacks that appeal to children can have a negative effect on the teeth and gums. Sugars are in many of the snacks that children enjoy, even healthy options like fruit. You need to make sure that your children […]
Preparing for Intravenous anesthesia sedation is much like preparing for general anesthesia. There are some general prerequisites and instructions that patients must follow prior to IV sedation to ensure the safety of the procedure. It is important that all patients undergoing IV sedation thoroughly read and understand the directions we provide prior to the procedure […]
The wisdom teeth are the final four teeth to erupt from the gums – usually sometime between age 17 and 25. Ideally, the teeth emerge without complication. But according to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, as many as 9 in 10 Americans have at least one wisdom tooth that is impacted. Even […]
Dental sealants are clear coatings applied to the surfaces of a child’s molars to prevent the development of tooth decay. They work by preventing food and plaque from resting in the grooves and crevices of molars – an area especially susceptible to cavities. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, nearly 1 in 3 U.S. […]
Root canals are valuable dental procedures used to treat and preserve teeth with badly infected roots. The pulp is the live portion of the tooth that extends into the root and contains nerve endings and tissues. When it becomes infected, patients can experience pain, swelling and even total tooth loss unless treated. Root canals remove […]
Active children are healthy children, but recreation and sports can present a threat to a child’s oral health. Athletic mouth guards can help protect a child’s teeth from a knee, elbow club, ball, racket or just about any other object flying toward his or her face. For maximum effectiveness, a sports mouth guard should fit […]
