At Hardin Cosmetic and Family Dentistry, we provide exceptional dental care for every member of your family. Our practice is designed to cater to patients of all ages, from young children experiencing their first dental visit to adults and seniors maintaining their oral health. General and family dentist Dr. Chris Hardin is here to create a welcoming and comfortable environment where everyone can achieve a healthy and beautiful smile. Dr. Hardin provides family dentistry as part of his general dental services for patients of all ages.

Family Dentistry Indianapolis IN

Comprehensive Dental Care for All Ages

We understand that visiting the dentist can be daunting for some, especially children. Our team is trained to make dental visits a positive experience for everyone. We use gentle techniques and explain procedures in a way that is easy to understand. Our family-friendly environment keeps children and adults at ease.

Our practice offers a wide range of dental services to meet the needs of your entire family. These include preventive care such as regular check-ups, cleanings, sealants, and fluoride treatments to keep your teeth healthy and prevent cavities. We also provide restorative treatments like fillings, crowns, bridges, and dentures to repair and replace damaged or missing teeth.

If you want to enhance your smile, our cosmetic dentistry services include teeth whitening, veneers, and bonding. We offer orthodontic solutions like clear aligners to straighten teeth and correct bite issues. You can also get urgent treatment for dental emergencies.

Pediatric Dentistry

Pediatric dentistry (formerly Pedodontics/Paedodontics) primarily focuses on children from birth through adolescence. The American Dental Association (ADA), recognizes pediatric dentistry as a specialty, and therefore requires dentists to undertake two or three years of additional training after completing a general dentistry degree. At the end of this training, the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry issues a unique diploma (Diplomate ABPD). Some pediatric dentists (pedodontists) opt to specialize in oral care for children with special needs, specifically children with autism, varying levels of mental retardation, or cerebral palsy.

One of the most important components of pediatric dentistry is child psychology. Pediatric dentists are trained to create a friendly, fun, social atmosphere for visiting children, and always avoid threatening words like “drill,” “needle,” and “injection.” Dental phobias beginning in childhood often continue into adulthood, so it is of paramount importance that children have positive experiences and find their “dental home” as early as possible.

What Does a Pediatric Dentist Do?

Pediatric dentists fulfill many important functions pertaining to the child’s overall oral health and hygiene. They place particular emphasis on the proper maintenance and care of deciduous (baby) teeth, which are instrumental in facilitating good chewing habits, proper speech production, and also hold space for permanent teeth.

Other important functions include:

  • Education – Pediatric dentists educate the child using models, computer technology, and child-friendly terminology, thus emphasizing the importance of keeping teeth strong and healthy. In addition, they advise parents on disease prevention, trauma prevention, good eating habits, and other aspects of the home hygiene routine.
  • Monitoring growth – By continuously tracking growth and development, pediatric dentists are able to anticipate dental issues and quickly intervene before they worsen. Also, working towards earlier corrective treatment preserves the child’s self-esteem and fosters a more positive self-image.
  • Prevention – Helping parents and children establish sound eating and oral care habits reduces the chances of later tooth decay. In addition to providing check ups and dental cleanings, pediatric dentists are also able to apply dental sealants and topical fluoride to young teeth, advise parents on thumb- sucking/pacifier/smoking cessation, and provide good demonstrations of brushing and flossing.
  • Intervention – In some cases, pediatric dentists may discuss the possibility of early oral treatments with parents. In the case of oral injury, malocclusion (bad bite), or bruxism (grinding), space maintainers may be fitted, a nighttime mouth guard may be recommended, or reconstructive surgery may be scheduled.

Children’s Dentistry

Good oral hygiene habits should start early and continue throughout your life. Teaching kids to care for their teeth helps them build a strong foundation for a healthy smile. We recommend that children brush their teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss once a day. Parents should help and supervise brushing until kids can do it well on their own.

Our office also recommends that you schedule your child’s first dental visit by their first birthday. After that, regular check-ups every six months help track their dental growth and catch problems early. Diet is also key to your child’s dental health. A healthy diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can also help prevent cavities. If your child plays sports, we can create a custom mouthguard to protect their teeth from injury.

Prevent Childhood Cavities

Cavities happen when kids’ teeth are exposed to sugary foods. After eating, sugars and carbohydrates (like those in white bread) stick to the teeth. This creates a sticky film called plaque on the tooth surface. The bacteria in plaque feed on the leftover sugar and produce acid.

At first, the acid weakens the tooth enamel. If this keeps happening, the enamel breaks down, and the acid can start to damage the inside of the tooth.

Even though baby teeth eventually fall out, they’re still very important. You want to treat cavities in the baby and adult teeth as soon as possible.

How will I know if my child has a cavity?

Large cavities can be painful, but tiny cavities may not be felt at all. Making matters even trickier, cavities sometimes form between the teeth and can be invisible to the naked eye. Dental X-rays and our dentist’s trained eyes help pinpoint even the smallest cavities.

Some of the major symptoms of cavities include:

  • Heightened sensitivity to cool or warm foods
  • Nighttime waking and crying
  • Pain
  • Sensitivity to spicy foods
  • Toothache

If your child is experiencing any of these symptoms, visit our office. Dr. Hardin can provide an exam and recommend the right cavity treatment.

How to Care for Your Child’s Teeth

When most people think about keeping their child’s teeth healthy, they think about brushing and flossing. While these are very important, parents should also do other things to help prevent cavities and keep their child’s mouth healthy.

Diet

What your child eats affects their teeth. A healthy, balanced diet helps protect their smile. Too much sugar can lead to tooth decay. After your child eats, sugar left in the mouth feeds bacteria, which then produce acids that attack the teeth and gums.

To help protect your child’s teeth limit sugary snacks and drinks. Offer healthy options like carrot sticks, celery, or low-fat yogurt. Also, try to space out snack times instead of letting your child graze all day.

Oral Habits

Thumb sucking and pacifier use are common in young children. Most kids grow out of these habits, but if they continue for too long, they can cause teeth to grow in crooked or lead to other problems.

If your child uses a pacifier, choose one labeled “orthodontic.” If thumb sucking becomes a problem, our dentist can give you tips or even recommend a special device to help them stop.

For most infants, the sucking of thumbs and pacifiers is a happy, everyday part of life. Since sucking is a natural, instinctual baby habit, infants derive a sense of comfort, relaxation, and security from using a thumb or pacifier as a sucking aid.

According to research from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), most children will stop using a pacifier before the age of four. Thumb sucking can be a harder habit to break and tends to persist for longer without intervention. Children who continue to suck thumbs or pacifiers after the age of five are at high-risk of dental complications.

Thumb sucking and pacifier use can narrow the roof of your child’s mouth and guide the developing jaws out of correct alignment. If you have trouble with your child continuing to use a pacifier or sucking their thumb, we can recommend techniques to help them stop.

Keeping Germs Away

Some parents clean pacifiers or spoons by putting them in their own mouths, but this can pass harmful bacteria to the child. These bacteria can lead to early cavities. Instead, rinse pacifiers and toys with warm water and avoid sharing utensils with your child.

Sippy Cups

Sippy cups help toddlers move from bottles to regular cups but can also cause tooth problems. When sippy cups are filled with sugary drinks like juice, milk, soda, or sweetened water, small amounts of sugar stay on your child’s teeth for a long time. This allows acid to keep damaging the enamel.

Stop using sippy cups between 12 and 14 months old, around the time your child can hold and use a regular cup.

Pediatric Dentistry Visits

Going to the dentist regularly is an important part of keeping your child’s teeth and gums healthy. Just like adults, children need dental check-ups to make sure their mouths are developing properly and to catch any problems early. Regular visits allow us to keep an eye on your child’s oral health and help prevent issues before they start.

At each visit, we clean your child’s teeth, check for signs of tooth decay or gum problems, and offer helpful treatments to keep their teeth strong. We often apply dental sealants to the back teeth, where cavities are more likely to form. Sealants act like a shield, blocking out food and bacteria. We also provide fluoride treatments that help strengthen the enamel, which is the outer layer of the teeth.

Cavity prevention is especially important for children because their teeth are still growing and are more likely to get cavities. Baby teeth also help guide the adult teeth into place, so keeping them healthy is important. If a child gets a cavity, it can lead to pain, infection, and problems with eating and speaking.

Fluoride Treatment

Fluoride is safe for kids and adults. This mineral is found naturally in most foods and water, and it’s been used to support dental health for over 50 years. Many doctors and dentists support the use of fluoride because it helps keep teeth strong. Fluoride helps protect teeth in two ways.

Topical Fluoride

Topical fluoride works on teeth that have already come in. It soaks into the enamel and makes it stronger. Fluoride helps stop cavities from forming.

You get topical fluoride by using products like fluoride toothpaste, mouth rinses, and gels. Dentists also apply it during check-ups. Most children should get a professional fluoride treatment twice a year during their dental visits.

Systemic Fluoride

Systemic fluoride works from the inside out. It helps strengthen teeth that are still growing under the gums and the ones that have already come in. You get systemic fluoride through food, water, and sometimes supplements. These supplements can come in drops, tablets, or gels. Dr. Hardin may recommend them if your water doesn’t have enough fluoride.

Fluoride drops are usually given to babies, while older kids and teens may take tablets. It’s important to be careful with how much fluoride a child takes. Too much fluoride while teeth are still forming can lead to a condition called fluorosis, which causes white spots to appear on the teeth.

Although most people get fluoride from food and water, sometimes it isn’t enough to help prevent decay. Dr. Hardin may recommend home and/or professional fluoride treatments for the following reasons:

  • Deep pits and fissures on the chewing surfaces of teeth.
  • Exposed and sensitive root surfaces.
  • Fair to poor oral hygiene habits.
  • Frequent sugar and carbohydrate intake.
  • Inadequate exposure to fluorides.
  • Inadequate saliva flow due to medical conditions, medical treatments or medications.
  • Recent history of dental decay.

Remember, fluoride alone will not prevent tooth decay! Brush at least twice a day, floss regularly, eat balanced meals, reduce sugary snacks, and visit our dentist regularly.

Sealants

A sealant is a thin plastic coating that we can place on the chewing surface of molars, premolars, and any deep grooves of teeth. More than 75% of dental decay begins in these deep grooves. Teeth with these conditions are hard to clean and very susceptible to decay. A sealant protects the tooth by sealing deep grooves and creating a smooth, easy-to-clean surface.

Sealants can protect teeth from decay for many years, but need to be checked for wear and chipping at regular dental visits.

Reasons for sealants:

  • Children and teenagers: As soon as the six-year molars (the first permanent back teeth) appear or any time throughout the cavity-prone years of 6-16.
  • Adults: Tooth surfaces without decay that have deep grooves or depressions.
  • Baby teeth: Occasionally done if teeth have deep grooves or depressions and the child is cavity-prone.

Our hygienist can easily apply sealants, and the process takes only a couple of minutes per tooth.

First our hygienist cleans the teeth and uses cotton to keep the area dry. Then he or she places a special solution to the enamel surface to help the sealant bond to the teeth. The teeth are then rinsed and dried.

Sealant material is carefully painted onto the enamel surface to cover the deep grooves or depressions. Depending on the type of sealant used, the material will either harden automatically or with a special curing light.

Teens and Tobacco Use

Tobacco use is one of the leading causes of death in society. But it’s also among the most preventable. Aside from being a sociably undesirable habit, smoking can result in oral cancer, reduce smelling and tasting abilities, compromise recovery after oral surgery, stain the teeth, and increase the risk of gum disease. The American Dental Association (ADA) and all pediatric dentists encourage children, adolescents, and adults to abstain from all forms of tobacco use.

Almost all adult smokers have tried smoking before the age of nineteen. In all likelihood, an individual who abstains from smoking throughout the teenage years will never pick up the habit. We recommend that parents strongly discourage preadolescent and adolescent tobacco use.

Is smokeless tobacco less dangerous for teens?

Tobacco use in any form brings the oral region into direct contact with carcinogens (cancer-causing agents). These carcinogens and other harmful chemicals cause irreparable damage to the child’s oral health.

Parents and teens often mistakenly evaluate smokeless tobacco as the “safer” option. Smokeless tobacco has been proven to deliver a greater concentration of harmful agents into the body, and is far more addictive. One snuff of tobacco has approximately the same nicotine content as sixty regular cigarettes. In addition, smokeless tobacco causes leukoplakias in the mouth, or dangerous pre-cancerous lesions.

What are the signs of oral cancer?

Oral cancer can be difficult to detect without the aid of a dentist. In some cases, oral cancer is not noticeable or even painful until its later stages. Parents of tobacco users must be aware of the following symptoms:

  • Changes in the way the teeth fit together.
  • Difficulty moving the jaw.
  • Mouth sores that don’t heal.
  • Numbness or tenderness.
  • Red or white spots on the cheek, lip, or tongue.

How can I stop my child from using tobacco?

First, talk to your child personally about the dangers of tobacco use. You can also ask us to talk to your child.

Also, lead by example. According to research studies, children of non-smokers are less likely to pick up this dangerous habit. Third, monitor you child closely. If your child won’t cooperate, you can request screenings for tobacco at the dental office.

Dentistry for Seniors and Adults

As people age, their dental needs change. Many adults deal with gum problems, and gum disease is one of the top reasons adults lose teeth. Regular dental cleanings and gum care can keep your gums healthy. Tooth sensitivity is also common, and we offer treatments that can ease discomfort and protect sensitive areas.

If you need to repair a tooth, we offer several options like fillings, crowns, and dental implants. These treatments help restore your smile’s look and function. We also check for early signs of oral cancer during routine exams. Early detection can make a big difference in treatment success.

Family Dentistry FAQs

Read answers to common questions about family dental care in our Indianapolis office:

Why brush primary teeth?

Many people don’t realize how important it is to care for baby teeth, also called primary teeth. Even though they eventually fall out, baby teeth play a big role in a child’s health and development.

Baby teeth help children speak clearly and chew food properly. These teeth also guide the jaw as it grows and hold space for adult teeth to come in correctly. Brushing baby teeth every day helps prevent bad breath, tooth decay, and plaque buildup.

Baby teeth start to form under the gums during the second trimester of pregnancy. They usually begin to come through the gums when a baby is about 6 months to 1 year old. Most preschoolers have a full set of 20 baby teeth, including four molars on the top and bottom. Caring for baby teeth sets the stage for a healthy smile that lasts a lifetime.

One of the most common misconceptions about primary teeth is that they’re irrelevant to the child’s future oral health. But the American Dental Association (ADA) urges parents to schedule a “baby checkup” with a pediatric dentist within six months of the first tooth showing.

What are the functions of primary teeth?

Baby teeth, also called primary teeth, may take time to come in, and they can cause sore gums as they do. Most kids have a full set of baby teeth by age three, but the process happens slowly. While teething can be uncomfortable, baby teeth play a big role in a child’s health and development.

The baby teeth help with:

  • Speech: Baby teeth help kids learn how to say words clearly. They guide the tongue and help form the right sounds. This is important for a child’s learning, social growth, and self-confidence.
  • Eating and Nutrition: Healthy baby teeth help kids chew food properly. If a child’s teeth are badly decayed or misshapen, they might have trouble eating and getting the nutrients they need. Good chewing habits support a healthy diet and overall growth.
  • Building Self-Confidence: Even young kids care about how their teeth look. Clean, healthy teeth help them feel good about smiling and talking with others. Caring for baby teeth can also help prevent bad breath and peer teasing.
  • Guiding Adult Teeth: Baby teeth hold space in the jaw for adult teeth to grow in the right place. If baby teeth fall out too early, nearby teeth can shift and block space for permanent teeth. Our dentist may suggest a space maintainer if this happens to make sure adult teeth come in straight.
  • Protecting Oral Health: Cavities in baby teeth can lead to gum disease, damaging the gums, bones, and nearby teeth. To avoid this, parents should clean their baby’s gums with a damp cloth after meals and help them brush and floss as they get older.

What toothpaste should my child use?

Choosing the right toothpaste for your child is important for keeping their teeth healthy. Toothpastes can be different in how thick they are, how much fluoride they have, and what flavor they come in. Fluoride is helpful because it makes tooth enamel stronger and protects against cavities. But too much fluoride can be harmful to young children and may lead to a condition called dental fluorosis, which causes white spots on teeth. Kids between ages 1 and 4 are most at risk, so you want to watch how much fluoride they use.

Also, be careful with some adult toothpaste brands or ones that don’t have the ADA (American Dental Association) seal. These might have stronger ingredients that can wear down baby teeth. Some also contain sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) that causes mouth sores in some children.

Even before your baby has teeth, you can start cleaning their gums with a cool, clean cloth after feedings. A damp cloth removes leftover milk or food and keeps your child’s mouth clean.

Once teeth start coming in, use a small, soft toothbrush and a fluoride-free “baby” toothpaste. Brush twice a day. Around age 3, choose a fluoride toothpaste with the ADA seal of approval. Use only a tiny amount of toothpaste, about the size of a grain of rice. Encourage your child to spit out the toothpaste after brushing.

This may take some time and practice, especially if they like the taste. Don’t worry if they swallow a little toothpaste, it’s common and will get better as they learn.

When should my child have his or her first dental visit?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that children visit the dentist for the first time about six months after their first tooth comes in or by their first birthday.

This might seem early, but it’s important. Tooth decay in babies and toddlers is becoming more common, and cavities at a young age can be very painful. If not treated, they can lead to bigger dental problems as your child gets older. Taking your child to the dentist early helps start healthy habits and keeps their smile strong as they grow.

When will my baby start getting teeth?

Though there are some individual differences in the timing of tooth eruption, primary teeth usually begin to emerge when the infant is between six and eight months old. A set of twenty primary teeth will emerge by the age of three.

What potential dental problems can babies experience?

Babies can start having dental problems when their first tooth comes in. One of the biggest concerns is tooth decay. At your baby’s first dental visit, a pediatric dentist will show you how to brush and floss your baby’s teeth and talk to you about how to keep them healthy.

Some babies are at higher risk for cavities if they regularly drink breast milk, baby formula, juice, soda, or sweetened water from a bottle or sippy cup. These drinks contain sugars that can lead to early childhood cavities and baby bottle tooth decay.

To help protect your baby’s teeth, don’t fill bottles or cups with sugary drinks. Also, don’t dip pacifiers in anything sweet.

A pediatric dentist can also assess and balance the infant’s fluoride intake. Too much fluoride ingestion between the ages of one and four years old may lead to a condition known as fluorosis in later childhood. But too little fluoride may render young tooth enamel susceptible to tooth decay.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

We’re here to keep your family healthy at Hardin Cosmetic and Family Dentistry. Whether you’re scheduling your child’s first dental visit or need advanced dental treatments, we are here to help.

Get family dentistry treatments in Indianapolis, IN, today. Request an appointment online. Experience the difference of personalized, family-focused dental care.