Dentist in McCordsville | Dentist in Fortville | Family Dentist in McCordsville | Family Dentist in Fortville

Ladd Dental Group of McCordsville Family Dentistry services provided:  

Fortville | McCordsville Family Dentist

At Ladd Dental Group of McCordsville, we work hard to accommodate everyone in your family, from infants to elders. Our offices are comfortable with a relaxing atmosphere. Our dentists are not only caring but also willing to personalize the dental visit to make everyone enjoy their experience. Our highest priorities are our patient’s dental health and happiness. Give our office a call today to set up appointments for your whole family.

Children Dental Care

Since the Ladd Dental Group of McCordsville office provides a stress-free environment, your children will look forward to their dentist visits. To invest in your child’s health, work with your doctor in teaching your child proper oral hygiene. Whether your child has just had their first tooth erupt or is going to high school, the professional staff at Ladd Dental Group of McCordsville is here to provide them with the best dental care available. 

Tooth decay often begins at an early age, making young children particularly susceptible. Nearly half of 2-11-year-olds have experienced tooth decay while 32% of kids between 9 -11 years old display cavities in their permanent teeth. Major contributing factors to this public health problem include baby formula with added sugar and heavily-sugared fruit juices. Even breast milk can cause cavities in baby teeth because of the natural sugars present.

Care for baby teeth should begin as soon as the first tooth appears. We recommend that you bring your child in for an exam no later than his or her first birthday. And regular six-month checkups from then on will put kids on a similar schedule to most adults. We can monitor your child for dental problems while customizing preventive coaching to fit specific conditions.

As a parent, some early steps can help guard your child against tooth decay, even before the first dental visit:

Your baby's teeth should always be flushed with water or wiped down with a damp cloth after feeding, especially before they fall asleep. Milk or formula residue left in the mouth can promote decay even in the youngest patients. Untreated cavities can eventually lead to pain and infection.
Try to wean your child off breastfeeding or bottled milk by age one year. This effort helps avoid decay and minimizes the chance of jaw growth problems from excessive sucking.
Begin brushing as soon as the first tooth appears. Even a small piece of tooth showing can develop a cavity. Start by brushing with a soft bristled brush and water, and ask your dentist when it's ok to begin using a small amount of toothpaste.
Once your child is old enough to begin brushing on his or her own, continue to monitor their brushing, going back to clean any areas they may have missed.
Don't give bottles of sugary drinks or milk before bedtime
Use a straw with sugary beverages to allow the teeth to have less contact with the liquid.
Try to limit the overall sugary foods your child eats and drinks. 

Adult Dental Care

Almost half of America’s adults have not visited a dentist within the past year. While there are many reasons an adult may avoid the dentist, the need for professional dental care is very real. Regular brushing and flossing are not able to remove all tartar and plaque from your teeth. No matter when your last dentist visit was, Ladd Dental Group of McCordsville is eager to help your dental health improve. 

It's easy to ignore, but a little bit of tooth decay or gum disease always leads to a little bit more. The outcome of these untreated problems inevitably becomes pain, emergency treatment, and tooth loss. So why does this happen?

It's an infection.

Millions of bacteria swarm our mouths, many of them harmless and even beneficial. But a few bad characters wreak havoc on the hard and soft tissues of the mouth in many people. Like all living creatures, they need an energy source. Sugars are their snack of choice, and they use simple carbohydrates from our diet to manufacture energy.

Like all living creatures making energy, they also produce waste. These acidic wastes deposited on the teeth erode the hard enamel surfaces and form holes, known as cavities.

Some bacteria produce a toxic waste that causes bleeding gums and destruction of the bone around the teeth. In fact, this is the leading reason people lose their teeth and end up with dentures. It's all part of an infection.

Most infections can be treated with antibiotics, but mouth bacteria require a different approach. Regular checkups help us identify new cavities, and periodic cleanings remove mineralized deposits that harbor millions of harmful bacteria. Fluoride varnishes harden tooth surfaces, and high-risk patients benefit from customized approaches with our team.

The complex interaction of infection and inflammation extends beyond the gums and mouth. In fact, research continues to uncover the many ways that problems in our mouths can reach into critical areas of our bodies. For example, mouth bacteria penetrate through bleeding gums and enter the bloodstream. Like a river, blood flow carries the bacteria to the small vessels of the heart and brain. Here they can damage the intricate vessel lining, leading to blockage of the vessel. Heart attack or stroke results..all because of bleeding gums.

The same process deposits mouth bacteria and their toxins in other areas of our bodies and appears related to arthritis, diabetes, and some cancers. In the last few years, we've learned that a healthy mouth can affect our overall health in many ways. Schedule your appointment today by calling our office at (317) 336-2211.

We also accept Emergency dental appointments as well! Check out McCordsvilleDentist.com or LaddDental.com to experience the Ladd difference!