Dr. Mark Haring, DDS, received his degree in Life Science and Chemistry at Indiana State, and then went to Dental School at Indiana University. He is an active member of the American Dental Association (ADA), Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), the International College of Dentistry, the Pierre Fauchard Society, and is a trustee at the Indiana Dental Association. He continues to stay current with new treatments and methods in modern dentistry, and routinely takes continuing education courses in his field.

Dental Health Tips That Can Lead To A Beautiful Smile

At Family Friendly Dentistry, we are passionate about our patients of all ages receiving routine dental care in our office. This is the time that we not only thoroughly clean your teeth, but we also inspect them for problems such as decay. We see many of our patients only two times a year for their routine cleanings, which leaves the majority of their dental care in their hands. We know that sometimes your oral hygiene routine can be a little lax, especially after a long day, but we want to stress the importance of caring for your teeth properly each and every day. Caring for your teeth properly now will save you a lot of time in our office and additional expenses that can add up over time. We are going to share some dental health tips to keep you out of the dentist’s chair:

Shield Teeth From Cavities

One of the biggest concerns when we see a patient of any age for their routine hygiene examination is whether there is tooth decay and a filling or other treatment will be needed. This is especially a concern for our young patients, and we understand. Parents can get frustrated because it can be difficult for children to brush their teeth properly, especially when it comes to the small crevices in the back molars. Without proper brushing, decay can begin to develop. We offer a treatment that can be beneficial for all of our patients, young and old, who are concerned about tooth decay. Read on to learn more about this treatment.

How To Prevent Tooth Decay In Children

Are you a parent to a young child, or do you have a young child in your life? If so, you know that children can have a mind of their own at times. It can be particularly challenging for parents to get their children to brush their teeth. Then, after hounding them endlessly for them to brush their teeth, you find out they didn’t do it. It can be a vicious cycle, day after day. We know parents want their children to learn proper oral hygiene to create lasting habits and help avoid tooth decay, one of the most common chronic conditions in children. We want to share some helpful ways you can help prevent the child in your life from developing tooth decay.

What Can Cosmetic Dentistry Do For You?

We don’t know about you, but we are counting down the days until summer! We are ready for the hot days and the long nights. One of the biggest benefits of summer is seeing friends and family at BBQs and other events. Summer is a very popular time for weddings and vacations. Would you love to improve your smile before your next big event or outing? We know that we have patients who have dreamed about changing their smile but have been hesitant to mention their feelings during their oral hygiene examinations. It can be difficult to step outside of your comfort zone, but we encourage you to learn more about what cosmetic dentistry treatments can do for your teeth and smile. Read on to learn more about cosmetic dentistry.

Importance Of An Oral Hygiene Routine

At Family Friendly Dentistry, we want you and your family to have excellent oral health. This is one of the reasons we are passionate about routine hygiene examinations for you and your family every four to six months. During these appointments we are able to remove any lingering plaque and bacteria from your mouth as well as inspect your teeth for signs of decay, gum disease, and oral cancer.

Do You Know About Crowns?

We never recommend a dental treatment to a patient unless they are experiencing a complication with their oral health and would benefit from a restorative dental treatment. If you have postponed or avoided a treatment we recommended, we highly suggest you schedule your appointment as soon as possible. Delaying necessary dental care can result in a dental emergency or the need for more in-depth treatment. We know that it can be intimidating to receive a treatment that you are not familiar with. Today we want to take a few minutes to explain more about one of the most common treatments a patient may need — a dental crown. Even if you don’t currently need a dental crown, it is extremely likely that you or a loved one may need one in the future. Read on to learn more about dental crowns.

The Effects Medication Can Have On Your Oral Health

We often talk about being mindful of certain foods and habits and how they can have a negative effect on your oral health. You may be surprised to learn that certain things you are taking to help your body and your overall health may be causing problems with your teeth, gums, and mouth. Prescribed and over-the-counter medications can have lasting effects on your teeth and mouth that can significantly impact the future of your oral health. We want to share some of the common side effects that medications can have on your oral health.

What Can A Bridge Do For You?

If you are missing a tooth, it is essential to your oral and overall health to speak to us about the tooth replacements we offer patients. Even if your smile hasn’t been affected because you are missing your molars in the back of the mouth, it can cause problems with the way you eat and digest food, as well as negatively affect your quality of life. We offer a tooth replacement option that can restore multiple teeth at one time. Read on to learn more about a dental bridge and why we may recommend this treatment.

Does Thumbsucking And Pacifier Use Affect Teeth?

Do you have a young child or loved one who is always grabbing for their pacifier or continuously sucking their thumb? During early infancy, and even in the womb, it is natural for a baby to suck their thumb. It is a self-soothing technique and actually helps to teach them about the environment around them. Thumbsucking or pacifier use is also helpful as children transition into the late infancy stage and the early toddler years, as it can also be used as a coping mechanism when a child is feeling anxious or overwhelmed. At a certain age, pacifier use and thumbsucking become problems as it regards their teeth.

Check Your Calendar

When was the last time you visited our office for a routine hygiene examination and cleaning? If it has been some time since your last appointment, we encourage you to schedule your next visit today. We know that your life is busy, but the longer you postpone routine examinations, the greater the chance you will experience a dental emergency or some type of oral health complication. Delaying your examination and cleaning can eventually affect your overall health as well. Read on to learn more about the importance of routine appointments.