Prevention Now…or Braces Later
A lot of us recall the embarrassment and challenge of wearing braces as a child. There are times when braces are necessary in order to correct serious malocclusion (bite disorder). However, for many patients, early treatment by a qualified and knowledgeable dentist can diminish the level of orthodontics required or very possibly remove the need altogether!
Younger children have the benefit of growth to their advantage. Their teeth and bones are more malleable than those of adults. Understanding that a child has a malocclusion at an early age can assist in understanding how the permanent teeth will come together. The sooner the detection, the more planning and prevention we can propose for your child.
KC Family Dental
Sarah Brent, DDS
4034 Shawnee Mission Parkway
Fairway, KS 66205
Kansas City
(913) 220-2209
KCFamilyDental.com
Use toothpaste with fluoride for infants and children
For children younger than 3 years, you should begin brushing a child’s teeth with fluoride toothpaste in an amount no larger than a grain of rice. For children 3 to 6 years of age, use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
Consider sealants to prevent decay or treat beginning cavities on the back teeth
Dental sealants act as a barrier to prevent cavities. They are a plastic material applied by a dentist to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth where decay occurs most often.
To read the entire article visit MouthHealthy.org.
KC Family Dental
Sarah Brent, DDS
4034 Shawnee Mission Parkway
Fairway, KS 66205
Kansas City
(913) 220-2209
KCFamilyDental.com
Learn more about how your lifestyle can affect your oral health.
TMJ/TMD – Proper Bite Alignment Treatment Helps You Say ‘Goodbye’ to Headaches and Jaw Pain!
Do you recognize that dental occlusion (i.e. your bite) is sometimes the reason behind frequent headaches, aching or popping jaws, or shoulder and neck pain? If your teeth have been worn down over the years or are missing due to accident or dental disease, your jaw is not capable of returning to its intended relaxed position. This creates tension in the muscles of your jaw and can cause a variety of pain that you may have already grown accustomed to enduring. By reestablishing your dental occlusion, your jaw can be returned to the comfortable position that nature intended. Relieving TMJ-related pain can sometimes be as simple as creating a removable night guard to be worn while you sleep. Depending on the cause of symptoms, some may need a full mouth rehabilitation to reestablish natural alignment.
KC Family Dental
Sarah Brent, DDS
4034 Shawnee Mission Parkway
Fairway, KS 66205
Kansas City
(913) 220-2209
KCFamilyDental.com
Learn more about dental care and your overall health.
Biofilm: The Culprit to Keep at Bay
Have you heard the word “biofilm” before? This is something created by bacteria adhering to surfaces in a watery environment. Where is it found? Clogged drains and slippery rocks are good examples. It can also be found on your teeth! This yellowish plaque build-up is believed to be the big culprit when it comes to cavities, gingivitis, and periodontitis. But the KC Dental team is your ally in the fight against gum disease.
Oral Health is Part of Overall Health
Understanding of the risks of gum disease has greatly increased in the last few years. We now know that gum disease can contribute to systemic diseases including strokes, heart disease, and premature labor. With advanced periodontal disease, treatment may require surgery. But mild cases of periodontal disease have effective NON-surgical options that, coupled with improved dental hygiene, can effectively stop the spread of the disease.
KC Family Dental
Sarah Brent, DDS
4034 Shawnee Mission Parkway
Fairway, KS 66205
Kansas City
(913) 220-2209
KCFamilyDental.com
Below is an excerpt from an article found on Colgate.com
Over a decade of research has proven bleaching and other whitening methods to be both safe and effective. Several products in the market today have shown no adverse effects on teeth or gums in substantial clinical and laboratory testing. Be sure to look for clinically proven products, follow directions and consult with your dental professional.
In the past, the higher bleach concentrations used in-office treatment resulted in more sensitivity. Today, however, bleaching gels are well buffered, making sensitivity less of an issue. Sensitivity may occur in people after whitening procedures, particularly when they eat hot or cold foods, but usually disappears after 48 hours and stops completely when treatment is stopped.
If you do experience sensitivity, there are several ways you can help eliminate it:
- If using a tray applicator, wear the tray for a shorter period
- Brush with a toothpaste made for sensitive teeth that contains potassium nitrate to help soothe tooth nerve ending
- Ask your dentist or pharmacist for a product with fluoride, which helps re-mineralize your teeth. Brush-on or wear in your trays four minutes prior to and after whitening your teeth
- Stop whitening your teeth for several days to allow you teeth to adapt to the whitening process. Within 24 hours, the sensitivity will cease. The longer you whiten your teeth, the less sensitivity you will experience
In a few cases, your dentist may discourage dental bleaching:
- If you have gum disease, teeth with worn enamel, cavities or particularly sensitive teeth
- If you're pregnant or breast-feeding
- If you have tooth-colored crowns, caps or other dental work in your front teeth, which can't be bleached
To read the entire article visit Colgate.com.
Below is an excerpt from an article found on Colgate.com
What is Bruxism?
If you find yourself waking up with sore jaw muscles or a headache, you may be suffering from bruxism - the grinding and clenching of teeth. Bruxism can cause teeth to become painful or loose, and sometimes parts of the teeth are literally ground away. Eventually, bruxism can destroy the surrounding bone and gum tissue. It can also lead to problems involving the jaw joint, such as temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ).
How do I Know if I Have Bruxism?
For many people, bruxism is an unconscious habit. They may not even realize they're doing it until someone comments that they make a horrible grinding sound while sleeping. For others, a routine dental checkup is when they discover their teeth are worn or their tooth enamel is fractured.
Other potential signs of bruxism include aching in the face, head and neck. Your dentist can make an accurate diagnosis and determine if the source of facial pain is a result from bruxism.
How is Bruxism Treated?
The appropriate treatment for you will depend on what is causing the problem. By asking careful questions and thoroughly examining your teeth, your dentist can help you determine the potential source of your bruxism. Based on the amount of tooth damage and its likely cause, your dentist may suggest:
- Wearing an appliance while sleeping - custom-made by your dentist to fit your teeth, the appliance slips over the upper teeth and protects them from grinding against the lower teeth. While an appliance is a good way to manage bruxism, it is not a cure.
- Finding ways to relax - Because everyday stress seems to be a major cause of bruxism, anything that reduces stress can help-listening to music, reading a book, taking a walk or a bath. It may help to seek counseling to learn effective ways for handling stressful situations. Also, applying a warm, wet washcloth to the side of your face can help relax muscles sore from clenching.
- Reducing the "high spots" of one or more teeth to even your bite - An abnormal bite, one in which teeth do not fit well together, may also be corrected with new fillings, crowns or orthodontics.
To read the entire article visit Colgate.com.
Learn more about the importance of saliva.
A lot of us recall the embarrassment and challenge of wearing braces as a child. There are times when braces are necessary in order to correct serious malocclusion (bite disorder). However, for many patients, early treatment by a qualified and knowledgeable dentist can diminish the level of orthodontics required or very possibly remove the need altogether! 
