Dental braces. When I was growing up, we wore them in high school. Now it seems that people of all ages ranging from elementary-school age children to senior citizens, are straightening their teeth with braces or clear retainers. As a parent, you may be wondering if your child needs braces, as well as when is the best time to start that process. Well I have great news for you! This Little Teeth Truth will definitely help you with the answer! The first step is to establish a Dental Home for your child. The Dental Home is defined by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) as “the ongoing relationship between the dentist and the patient, inclusive of all aspects of oral health care delivered in a comprehensive, continuously accessible, coordinated, and family-centered way.” By becoming a patient of a pediatric dentist, you will have access not only to a Dental Home, but also a pediatric dentist that will help guide your oral healthcare decisions. Your child will be a good candidate for dental braces if they have healthy teeth, healthy gums and good daily habits of keeping their teeth clean. Your dentist may refer you to a pediatric dentist or orthodontist that has received special training in both evaluating and correcting problems with occlusion. Occlusion refers to the alignment of teeth and the way that the upper and lower teeth fit together (bite). The upper teeth should fit slightly over the lower teeth. The points of the molars should fit the grooves of the opposite molar. There are different types of bites that need braces. The three most common conditions that need dental braces are overbite, underbite, and crowding. Overbite is a condition in which the upper front teeth overlap the lower front teeth. A large overbite can cause unhealthy teeth wearing, concerns about appearance, and in some instances even jaw pain. An underbite is a condition in which the lower teeth and jaw protrude in front of the upper teeth. An underbite usually needs to be addressed much earlier than an overbite. Finally, crowding is the lack of space for all the teeth to fit normally within the jaws. The teeth may be twisted or displaced and cause difficulty with cleaning the teeth appropriately. There are many other conditions such as excessive space, missing teeth, extra teeth, and cross bites that need correction as well. Clear retainers are an alternative to dental braces that can treat many of the same conditions. Clear retainers are custom-made aligners that are changed roughly every two weeks for a period of six to eighteen months, or longer depending how much treatment is required. Some patients like the flexibility associated with retainers. For instance, patients can take out the retainers when brushing, flossing, eating, or drinking. Because the retainers are transparent (nearly invisible), patients using clear retainers can straighten their teeth without brackets and wires taking away from the natural look of their smile. While clear retainers can correct a large majority of dental [...]

Your BIG AUTHORITY on little teeth just released the second edition of the “State of Little Teeth Report” which draws on the latest scientific research and best available expertise to examine challenges facing the oral health of our children and what we can do about them. Check out the full report here where you will find how tooth decay is affecting our little ones as well as expert advice and solutions on the part of pediatric dentists, parents and our nation’s leaders. The good news: tooth decay has decreased over the past four years.  The bad news: nearly half of children aged 6-11 and more than half of children aged 12-19 in the U.S. are affected by tooth decay which can cause up to $25,000 worth of damage to teeth and is 100 percent preventable. There are small yet important changes you, as a parent and caregiver, can make today to ensure your child is set up for a lifetime of healthy habits and help reverse the tooth decay epidemic among our children: Check out these five tips you can implement right away: Create a Dental Home by Age One  Starting regular oral care at a young age will lead to healthy oral health habits for life, so take your child to a pediatric dentist by age one, or at the sign of his or her first tooth. Brush Together Brushing habits make an impact as kids get older when they choose to implement the habits they learned from mom, dad or their caregiver. Make sure you brush with your child for two minutes, twice a day. It’s How Often, Not how Much: How much sugar your child eats and drinks throughout the day is a big factor in causing tooth decay. Don’t let your child snack or drink apple juice or orange juice all day. Stick to designated meal times with water in between and limit snacking to no more than three times a day. Toothaches Can Talk It is important to not ignore toothaches at any age. This is especially true with young children, as toothaches can be a warning sign for a number of ailments, including cavities or infection, which can be treated and prevented if caught early. Healthy Teeth and Special Needs  Parents and caregivers of special needs children often have concerns about their child’s tolerance of a dental appointment, but postponing the visit is not the answer. Pediatric dentists have unique expertise and extra training to treat children with special needs. Beyond dental school, pediatric dentists have 2-3 years of specialized training in areas such as addressing anxiety related to dental visits. Talk to your pediatric dentist about best-practice recommendations that can help better meet your child’s specific needs. Original Article Found Here... https://mouthmonsters.mychildrensteeth.org/the-state-of-little-teeth-second-edition/

Dr Lisa Ameer is backed up by a professional and caring team of professional girls who have a heart for children.

Taking your child to the dentist at the arrival of their first tooth or first birthday is the best way to begin preventative oral care.

A hard earned gift from the Tooth Fairy’s support staff.

As mothers ourselves, we treat each patient with the same gentle touch that we give our own children.

We are so excited!! School is almost out and we want to take a moment to wish everyone a fun and relaxing summer break. Don’t forget to brush those teeth during all the summer time treats. 🤗

We hope everyone enjoys their weekend and don’t forget why we celebrate! In observance of Memorial Day, our office will be closed Friday, May 24th & Monday, May 27th. We will reopen for patients on Tuesday, May 28th at 8:15!