Losing baby teeth is usually an exciting milestone for children, but sometimes, teeth don’t fall out when they should. There are several reasons why baby teeth might stay past their time, but at Kidz Connextion Dental and Braces, we’ll figure out what’s going on and make a treatment plan.
As adult teeth erupt, they dissolve the roots of the baby teeth ahead of them. If all goes well, the baby teeth will fall out shortly before adult teeth move in to take their place. When the baby teeth remain in position, we call them “retained deciduous teeth.” This often happens when the adult teeth come in at an angle or in a different position from the baby teeth, leaving the child with two sets of the same teeth. This most commonly affects the lower incisors. In these cases, we would recommend extracting the baby teeth because it will be impossible to effectively brush them and they could cause bite problems.
Another common reason for baby teeth to remain in place is that there is no adult tooth coming in to push it out. This can happen for genetic reasons and is more common in girls. It would require more extensive treatments to correct, but it probably doesn’t mean the child’s health is in danger. Baby teeth might also have to be extracted if their roots are fused to the jaw bone and show no signs of weakening. But we don’t want to extract baby teeth when there is still a possibility a permanent tooth will push it out naturally, which is why it’s important for us to be able to do regular assessments.
Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces maintains offices around Phoenix. To find out more, visit our website at Kidz Connextion.
If it’s November it’s National Diabetes Awareness Month. This event is particularly important to dentists such as us at Kidz Connextion in Phoenix, because diabetes affects oral health in several ways. Diabetes can occur in children, so they and their parents need to know what additional challenges they may face.
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that makes it difficult for people to process sugar. It has implications for the entire body, including inflammation and a weakened immune system. As a result, people with diabetes are particularly vulnerable to gum infections. They have periodontal disease at higher rates than the general population and are likelier to suffer from bleeding gums.
It is unclear whether children with diabetes are at increased risk for tooth decay, but their gums do become more inflamed when new teeth are erupting. Some research indicates that their teeth also erupt faster. People with high blood sugar also tend to have dry mouth more often, which is uncomfortable and deprives the body of saliva, another important defense against gum disease. It is especially important for children with diabetes to practice good oral hygiene and to have their teeth cleaned regularly. Chewing sugar-free gum is one way for them to stimulate more saliva production, and avoiding sugary drinks such as soda and juice will make them less vulnerable to dry mouth.
Your child may need a space maintainer if he or she loses a baby tooth prematurely before the permanent tooth is ready to erupt. If a primary tooth is lost too early, adult teeth can erupt into the empty space instead of where they should be. When more adult teeth are ready to fill the mouth, there may not be enough room for them because of the lost space. To prevent this from happening, our doctors at Kidz Connextion will recommend a space maintainer to hold open the space left by the missing tooth.
The goal of space maintainers is to prevent movement of adjacent permanent “first molars” (also called six-year molars), and loss of space for (permanent) bicuspids and permanent canines. If the permanent first molars are not held in their proper position, they can drift forward and prevent the bicuspid teeth from being able to move into the mouth on a normal path. Baby teeth are important to the development of the teeth, jaw bones and muscles to help guide permanent teeth into position when the baby teeth are lost. If space is not maintained, then teeth can shift into the open space and orthodontic treatment may be required.
The diversity in digital equipment available to dentists these days has increased remarkably. Digital equipment in the dentist’s office means quicker and more informative consultations with patients than past years. Digital X-rays, Intra-Oral camera, and Panorex X-rays are only some pieces of high-tech dental appliances that Dr. John Graneto of utilizes here at Kidz Connextion. This type of technology allows us to provide quality care to the patient for a more enhanced, effective and comfortable experience.
Within these imaging programs, there are a number of tools that will allow our doctor to take a very close look at the teeth and surrounding structures with amazing accuracy. The image taken of a tooth, for example, can be enhanced and enlarged many times its actual size on the computer screen, making it easier for our doctor to show you where and what the problem is. In addition, the technique also uses less radiation than the typical X-ray (about 80% less) and there is no wait time for the X-rays to develop – the images are available on a screen a few seconds after being taken.
To begin the Panorex process, the patient will need to remove any jewelry, eyeglasses, or metal objects that might interfere with the x-ray images. He or she will then sit or stand with your chin on a small ledge while one of our doctors positions the machine. Once everything is in place, a bite blocker will be inserted into the mouth to ensure proper alignment of the teeth. The machine will then rotate around the head, taking a full 360-degree view of the teeth, head, sinuses, and bones. This can typically last between 12-20 seconds. As a benefit to the patient, no radiation remains in the body after this type of x-ray examination.
Dentists at Kidz Connextion use nitrous oxide sedation to safely sedate pediatric patients for dental procedures. Child patients that are very anxious about seeing a dentist can get through appointments painlessly with this simple sedation method. Nitrous oxide, also called laughing gas, is common in dental offices because it doesn’t “knock out” the patient. The child will remain conscious and aware of the dentist, and be able to hear and respond to any requests or directions. The goal is to leave the child feeling relaxed and cooperative, allowing a dentist to work efficiently.
Nitrous oxide is administered through a mask. The dentist will ask the child to breathe normally through their nose, and in a few short minutes, he or she should start to feel the effects. You may notice the child responding slowly or slurring speech. This is normal, and the child will only feel light-headed and feel tingling in their arms and legs. This safe sedation can be used for everything from teeth cleanings to more invasive procedures, depending on the child patient’s level of pain or anxiety.
Dentists highly recommend that everyone get their teeth professionally cleaned and examined every six months. If your kids are late for an appointment, the beginning of the school year is the perfect time to get caught up. Toothaches can have majorly detrimental impacts on kids’ education and if there’s a larger problem that needs addressing, it’s good to know when the child’s schedule is still somewhat flexible.
Children are likelier than people in other age brackets to have tooth decay. The exposure of dental nerves can be painful enough to discourage them from eating and delay speech development. It can also prevent them from getting enough sleep, causing them to have behavioral and cognition problems. We can remove tooth decay and provide mercury-free, naturally colored fillings. If a child has chronic tooth decay (or is brushing too hard and damaging their gums), we can teach them better brushing techniques.
There are a few other possible causes of toothaches that should be examined. If a tooth is impacted (unable to erupt), we may need to plan an extraction or refer a child for orthodontic treatment. Gum inflammation may also be a sign of another disease, such as diabetes. Lastly, dry mouth could be the result of certain medications and be creating an environment in which oral infections can thrive.
Do you know how to recognize a cavity in its first stage? If you’ve ever seen an unusually white spot on a tooth, that may have been what dentists call and “incipient lesion.” Also known as white spot lesions, these spots occur when a tooth is beginning to lose minerals.
Tooth decay is the result of acid being caught in tartar, the sticky film that clings to the outside of teeth. When bacteria in the mouth have bits of food to feed on, they are able to grow and multiply quickly, producing large amounts of acid. This is not the only way acid can harm the teeth; in people with acid reflux, acid burns the enamel of the upper back teeth. But when acid is caused by bacterial infection, the signs of decay are usually found near the gum line, on the sides of teeth, or around orthodontic brackets.
When a person sees a white spot, it means they need to do a better job of brushing in that area. White spots can form in as little as thirty days, but if the infection is killed in time, the enamel will be able to remineralize. People with braces, especially, need to pay attention to the condition of the enamel surrounding their brackets, or they may be left with hollow square-shaped white spots when their braces come off.
Dentists at Kidz Connextion are proud to serve the families from our community, and we want them to know it’s just as important for children to have regular dental visits. A child’s first dental visit should be scheduled when the first baby tooth appears, or around the child’s first birthday. Baby teeth eventually come out, but their growth and development is important for overall oral health for the child and the development of their adult teeth.
Baby teeth should be brushed and cared for like adult teeth, and it’s important to monitor their growth and development. Missing any tooth for too long can change the development of surrounding teeth and compromise the structure of the jaw bone, but regular checkups can keep a child’s tooth development right on track. Our dentists are skilled and experienced in administering dental care to children. If your child has seems nervous about seeing a dentist for the first time, we recommend going through a brushing routine with them at home, and talking about the dental visit before you arrive. Once we get your child’s oral health off to a great start, we offer a full range of services for child patients including dental cleanings, fluoride treatments and sealants.
We love to see good oral hygiene habits formed early, and make lifetime patients out of kids from our community! Kidz Connextion Dental Care maintains offices around Phoenix. To find out more, visit our website at Kidzconnextion.com.
At Kidz Connextion Dental Care we give kids the best start to a lifetime of good oral health. When kids leave our office, they need to establish good dental care at home. Parents can get kids involved and help develop healthy brushing habits. Getting kids excited about taking care of their teeth at home could be as simple as having them choose their own toothbrush or flavored toothpaste, something that makes them want to brush.
Brushing twice a day for two minutes is the simplest way to remember good brushing behavior. Parents use all kinds of tricks to help kids get in the habit of brushing for two minutes at a time. Bathroom timers and playing or singing songs that are two minutes long are the most popular methods. Of course, brushing your teeth alongside the kids is one of the best ways to establish the habit. Kids are always trying to act like Mom or Dad!
It’s important to help your kids develop healthy oral care habits at a young age, and we can help. Kidz Connextion Dental Care maintains offices around Phoenix. To find out more, visit our website at Kidzconnextion.com.
Kidz Connextion Dental Care is proud to serve the families from our community, and we want them to know it’s just as important for children to have regular dental visits. A child’s first dental visit should be scheduled when the first baby tooth appears, or around the child’s first birthday. Baby teeth eventually come out, but their growth and development is important for overall oral health for the child and the development of their adult teeth.
We love to see good oral hygiene habits formed early and make lifetime patients out of kids from our community! Kidz Connextion Dental Care maintains offices around Phoenix. To find out more, visit our website at Kidzconnextion.com.
If you have ever been told that you are what you eat, the person who told you this is partially telling the truth. The mouth is the window to the rest of our body, so if we eat foods and beverages that provide no nutritional value to our body, our teeth and gums will suffer. A balanced diet that is rich in nutritious, low-sugar foods is important for maintaining a beautiful smile. Our doctors at Kidz Connextion recommend these healthy snacks for kids.
Sugary treats, such as candy, sugar, and pastries should always be avoided. Low-fat dairy foods, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy protein sources all support the health of teeth and gums. Treats that supply the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that children need include low-fat yogurt with berries, fresh watermelon, cheddar cheese, and apples. Frequent snacking will cause bacteria in the mouth to form into plaque, so remember to brush your child’s teeth after every meal.
If you have questions or concerns about oral hygiene or dental health, please give us a call. To learn more about our pediatric services here at the office visit www.kidzconnextion.com for more information. To schedule an appointment in Phoenix AZ, call 623-223-1001.
It’s hard to get a child to sit still, let alone get them to brush his or her teeth for two minutes. The American Dental Association recommends that children brush their teeth for two minutes twice a day. This will keep their baby teeth healthy, which will assist in keeping permanent teeth healthy when they begin to erupt. Our doctors at Kidz Connextion are here to help you get your child on the path to excellent oral hygiene.
Children love learning something new, so take the time to make dental care fun. Play their favorite song while they brush their teeth so that the time passes without them noticing. There are also children’s toothbrushes on the market that play Disney tunes for exactly two minutes to make brushing something to look forward to. Once your child is done brushing his or her teeth, reward them with good behavior. Don’t allow it to be a snack because that will just ruin all the hard work, but a sticker or a bedtime story won’t hurt!
When a crown is needed, your dentist may need to contour the existing tooth to ensure the crown will fit perfectly over it. Crowns can be stainless steel or ceramic, and depending on the location of the tooth, your dentist may recommend one over the other. Once the crown is placed it should be cared for like your own tooth.
Wisdom teeth grow in the very back of the mouth and usually erupt between the ages of 17 and 22. Essentially, our mouths are able to hold 28 teeth, but including wisdom teeth, we each have about 32. However, with modern advancements in oral hygiene and softer diets, we don’t need these wisdom teeth like our ancestors once did. Wisdom teeth can be problematic depending on the individual, to discuss yours or your child’s, schedule a consultation with our doctors at Kidz Connextion.
So why do we have wisdom teeth? Anthropologists believe wisdom teeth or the third set of molars, were the evolutionary answer to our ancestor’s early diet of coarse, rough food – like leaves, roots, nuts, and meats – which required more chewing power and resulted in excessive wear of the teeth. The modern diet with its softer foods, along with marvels of modern technologies such as forks, spoons, and knives, has made the need for wisdom teeth nonexistent; however, they don’t always need to be removed.
Here at Kidz Connextion, our staff appreciates feedback from parents and patients because it teaches us how to improve as a team. Our staff would not only like to thank our Alexa W. for this positive review, but we would like to thank her for being an excellent patient. If you recently experienced exceptional service from our office, please let us know!
“My kids had a great first-time experience and all of the staff was great! Especially the woman who does the face painting, my kids loved her. She is so kind and patient with children.” – Alexa W.
Children who are active in sports activities should wear mouth protection during practice and games. Mouth guards protect the teeth from any impact, but also protect the cheeks, tongue, and lips from various mishaps. Most sporting goods stores carry mouth guards, but they are generic in size and form. These mouth guards often end up feeling bulky and uncomfortable, leading to not wearing the protection at all. Wearing a mouth guard that doesn’t fit can even interrupt breathing and speaking. Come see us at Kidz Connextion and have a dentist perform a custom mouth guard fitting.
To outfit your child with a custom mouth guard, the process begins with taking an impression of the mouth. This impression is sent to a dental lab where the final product will be fabricated. The result is a mouth guard made of thin, hard plastic that protects the teeth and still fits comfortably. This is an easy precaution to take for athletes of any size, and they can go right back to playing their best!
Kidz Connextion Dental Care maintains offices around Phoenix. To learn more about mouth guards and all the services we provide, visit our website at Kidzconnextion.com.