An Overview of Phase II Orthodontic Treatment

When the topic of orthodontics comes to mind, most people think of Phase II orthodontics, or braces. The goal of phase II is to bring all of the teeth into ideal alignment.  Phase II orthodontics usually begins when patients are 11 or 12 years old and all of the permanent teeth have erupted and are fully in place.  Treatment at this age can sometimes be accomplished using a removable appliance, but most often, traditional metal bands and brackets are needed to complete the treatment.

Braces straighten teeth by performing two important tasks:  staying in place for an extended period of time and exerting steady pressure.  The orthodontist can also adjust them periodically in order to move teeth in place over time.  Brackets and bands are affixed to the surface of the teeth to provide a place for the wires to attach.  During orthodontic treatment, it’s important to visit the orthodontist often.  During these visits the orthodontist can make the necessary adjustments to ensure that the treatment is progressing favorably.  The orthodontist may attach wires, springs, or rubber bands to the braces in order to create more tension and pressure on the teeth.

During orthodontic treatment, oral hygiene becomes even more important.  As you can imagine, braces, wires and rubber bands are magnets for food and plaque.  Poor oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment can lead to permanent staining of the teeth.  Your dentist and orthodontist will recommend brushing after meals with fluoride toothpaste and making it a habit to remove any food particles that get stuck in braces.  It’s also important not to skip your six-month check-ups with your pediatric or general dentist during this time.

Phase II orthodontic treatment will usually last from 12 to 24 months.  After treatment is complete and braces are removed, the final phase of orthodontic treatment, retention, is entered.  The goal of retention is, of course, to maintain all that has been accomplished in the previous phases of orthodontic treatment.  Typically, removable or permanent retainers are used in the retention phase of treatment.

Braces can solve many issues with teeth.  They can make you look and feel your best!  They may not be enjoyable during treatment, but the payoff in the end is undeniable.  Never underestimate the importance of having healthy, strong, straight teeth!

Cavity Rates Are Increasing in Children Aged 2 – 5 Years of Age

By Vishant Nath DMD, Pediatric Dentist

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cavities are increasing in children between the ages of two and five years.  Conversely, overall tooth decay has been gradually decreasing over the past several decades.  So why the increase in this age group and what can be done to prevent it?  Read on!

Once factor contributing to this rise is believed to be the extensive use of bottles and sippy cups.  While these drinking devices are convenient for kids to carry around and work well to prevent spills, they can be detrimental to your child’s oral health.  Though most parents will wean their child off of bottles, they will often allow the use of sippy cups for an extended period of time.  Sippy cups should really only be used in the short transition from the bottle to a cup.  If you are reluctant to transition out of a sippy cup, then offer your child only water in it.  For all other beverages, use a regular cup.

You can start your child’s oral health care off right from the very beginning of their lives.  Your child is not born with cavity-causing bacteria in his or her mouth.  The bacteria can be transferred from the parents.  If either parent has a history of tooth decay, they can have these bacteria present in their mouth.  Studies have shown that this bacteria is more likely to be transferred from the mother than from the father.  It’s important to keep this in mind.  If you have a history of tooth decay, try to avoid such things as sharing a spoon with your infant, or allowing them to put their fingers into your mouth.  The risk is especially high if you have had tooth decay as an adult.  The level of bacteria is probably lower if your most recent tooth decay occurred before adulthood.

You can get your baby used to tooth brushing at an early age by wiping his or her gums after each feeding with a clean, damp washcloth.  As soon as the first tooth appears, begin brushing twice a day with a very small amount of kids’ fluoride toothpaste.  It was previously thought that fluoridated toothpaste should be avoided in children under age 2.  However, since fluoride can reduce the risk of tooth decay by 30%, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry is now recommending the use of fluoride as soon as the first tooth appears.  Be sure to check with your pediatric dentist to confirm what is best for your child’s oral health care.

Check out our New Patient Specials!

Sat & Evening appointments

1. 6 Years and Under: $60.00 (Exam, X-rays, Cleaning)
2. 7 Years and Older: $149.00 (Exam, X-rays, Cleaning)
3. Free second opinions
4. We accept Medicaid

Call now to reserve your child’s appointment! We have flexible hours including after school appointments and Saturday’s too!

Perimeter Pediatric Dentistry
Kidshappyteeth.com
2221 Johnson ferry rd. NE
Atlanta, Ga 30319
770-407-6549

 

New Year’s Resolutions – Dental Edition

Ahhh….it’s that time of year again.  The start of the New Year brings with it a clean slate.  It’s time to hit the reset button and start things fresh.  Many of us will make New Year’s resolutions regarding our health and wellness.  When you examine where you are from a health standpoint, don’t forget your oral health status.  There are lots of ways to reinvigorate your oral health wellness, here are a few ideas!

Beginning this month, make a resolution to understand your dental insurance benefits!  Understanding your dental insurance plan empowers you to use the benefits appropriately.   Realize that you are paying for these benefits through your monthly premium, so resolve to use your dollars wisely by taking some time to fully understand your plan.  Being proactive about understanding your plan can make life simpler if you or your child has a need for dental treatment later in the year.

If you or your children are not on a twice yearly schedule for dental hygiene visits, start today!  Call your dentist to make appointments, for you and your children.  If you would prefer to avoid scheduling your child’s appointment during school time, call now to schedule a summertime appointment.  For many offices, these appointment times fill up fast, so calling now can help to ensure that you get your choice of appointment times.

Change your toothbrush!  This might seem like a simple action, but it is an important one.  As a general rule, you should change your toothbrush or brush head every 3 months.  The bristles begin to wear down over time and become less effective at adequately cleaning your teeth.  An important thing to remember, especially this time of year, is that you should change your toothbrush after you have suffered from a cold, flu, a mouth infection or a cold sore.  This is because germs that cause these ailments can linger on your toothbrush and cause reinfection.  Be sure to change your child’s toothbrush if they have experienced any of these symptoms as well.

Last but not least, pep up the daily oral hygiene routine in your house!  Something as simple as changing your child’s toothpaste can add freshness to a mundane task.  Or maybe you could try a different type of toothbrush, or add mouth rinse to your child’s routine.  It is so important to solidify your child’s daily oral care maintenance.  Thoroughly brushing and flossing teeth daily can lead to great oral health all year long!

Merry Christmas!

‘Tis the season for friends and family, so from ours to yours, we wish you the happiest holiday.

PRIMARY TEETH

Pediatric Dentists see patients from infancy thru adolescence.  As you can imagine, the type of dental care required can vary depending on the age of your child.  In the next several articles, we will discuss how a child’s dental needs change as they grow.  This article will address our youngest patients, infants.

A very common question of new parents is “When should my child have his first dental visit?”  The first dental visit should occur when your baby’s first tooth begins to erupt, or break through the gums.  This most often occurs sometime between six and twelve months of age.

This first visit is important for several reasons.  First, it allows for the child to begin establishing a relationship with their dentist and gets them accustomed to having the dentist look in their mouth.  It also allows for the establishment of a dental home for the child.  In case of a dental emergency, the parent knows who to contact and the dentist is familiar with the patient as well.  Finally, it allows for the dentist to instruct the parents on how to best care for their child’s teeth.

Why is it so important to protect teeth that the child will lose eventually?  The primary teeth, or baby teeth, are essential elements of your child’s health.  They serve two very important purposes:  chewing and appearance.  Keeping your child’s primary teeth healthy allows for your child to obtain proper nutrition and keeps them free of pain and infection.  It’s important to keep primary teeth in place until the permanent teeth are ready to erupt.  If primary teeth are lost prematurely (due to trauma or decay), they may leave gaps before the permanent teeth are ready to come in. The remaining primary teeth may then crowd together to attempt to fill in the gaps, which may cause the permanent teeth to come in crooked and out of place.  Proper care of primary teeth can prevent this from occurring.

Milk is your baby’s most important food, but when they go to sleep while nursing or bottle-feeding, the milk collects and stays on the upper front teeth.  The natural sugar in breast and cow’s milk can contribute by enhancing dental caries, which can destroy the teeth.  This type of decay occurs only on the backs of the front teeth and is therefore very difficult to detect.  To help prevent this type of decay, gently wipe your baby’s teeth with a wet cloth before putting them to sleep.

Dr. Nath

http://www.kidshappyteeth.com

Tooth Bleaching

By Vishant Nath DMD

Over the past few years, the topic of tooth bleaching has become very common. There are several different types of tooth bleaching to choose from. They vary in everything from cost to effectiveness.

As the name implies, tooth whiteners or bleachers lighten the color of the tooth surface because they contain peroxides, or bleach components as the active ingredient. A very common side effect of tooth whitening is sensitivity in the teeth. Teeth contain microscopic dentinal tubules that run from the nerve of the tooth to the surface of the tooth. A tooth will become sensitive when the fluid in these tubes moves around. Normally, minerals in saliva plug the ends of the tubes that are at the tooth surface. The introduction of bleaching gels can dissolve these plugs, leading to the fluid in the tubes moving around, causing tooth sensitivity. In addition, some individuals are genetically more susceptible to tooth sensitivity. Sensitivity due to tooth bleaching is temporary, and will normally go away when the bleaching is discontinued.

Tooth bleaching is available in many different over the counter dental care products. From toothpastes to mouthwashes to tooth whitening strips, there are quite a few products to choose from that are advertised as having teeth bleaching abilities. These types of tooth whiteners are usually the most inexpensive. The effectiveness of these products will vary depending on such factors as how often and continuously they are utilized.

A visit to your dentist will introduce two more choices in teeth whitening products. Your dentist can make a custom mold of your teeth and provide you with tooth whitening gel to use with this tray for in-home bleaching. Because it is specifically molded to your teeth, this method is usually a bit more effective than those that you can purchase in a store.

The last tooth whitening method is in-office tooth bleaching. This is typically the most effective method of tooth whitening. The effectiveness of the peroxide is enhanced through several factors. The teeth will be kept dry during the process through the use of gauze as well as a device called a retractor, which will pull the lips away from the teeth while the peroxide is applied. The gel can be left on for 30 to 60 minutes. Also, sometimes the teeth will be exposed to a curing light or laser to further activate the peroxide.

No matter which method of tooth bleaching appeals to you, talk to your dentist to find out more about which products and methods they recommend. No matter what your budget might be, there is a product out there for you!

How Much Fluoride is Too Much?

Fluoride levels in drinking water have been in the news lately.  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has proposed lowering the recommended level of fluoride in drinking water.  This article will provide some perspective on this topic.

First and foremost it’s important to appreciate the importance of fluoride, especially for children.  Fluoride inhibits the loss of minerals from tooth enamel and strengthens areas of the teeth that are weakened and are in danger of developing cavities.  It also works to prevent bacteria from breaking down the teeth and causing cavities.

Too much unmonitored ingested fluoride during permanent teeth development (ages 3 months – 8years) can cause discoloration of the teeth, which is referred to as fluorosis.  This condition can be mild (small white specks or streaks) to severe (brown discoloration) of the teeth.  Certain techniques in esthetic dentistry can be used to improve the look of permanent teeth that exhibit signs of fluorosis.

Fluoride is added to many oral care products, including toothpaste and mouth rinses.  Fluoride also occurs naturally to some deg ree in drinking water.  When its oral health advantages were first identified 70 years ago, it was also noticed that a certain level of fluoride was necessary to see its benefits.  Therefore, the government recommended artificially supplementing water sources with fluoride in areas where it was below this level.  Since 1962, the Environmental Protection Agency has overseen the addition of fluoride to drinking water.

Recently, the Centers for Disease Control has released data from studies indicating that the occurrence of fluorosis in children ages 12 to 15 have increased.   According to the Centers for Disease Control, 95.8% of Georgia’s population is served by community water supplies that are fluoridated.  The current fluoride level recommended by the state is 0.8 milligrams per liter of water, which is just slightly above the newly proposed level of 0.7 milligrams per liter.  The Georgia Department of Community Health has stated that there will likely be very little adjustment necessary for the state since the current levels are so close to the newly recommended levels.

Another theory surrounding the increasing occurrence of fluorosis is that children may have be getting the higher exposure to fluoride by ingesting too much fluoride containing toothpaste (during the ages 3months- 8 years).  It is always necessary to closely oversee your child’s proper use of fluoride containing oral care products.  Children only require a very small amount of toothpaste to clean their teeth.  A rice-sized portion (or smear) of toothpaste is sufficient to adequately clean a child’s teeth.

If you have any questions regarding fluoride levels or the occurrence of fluorosis in your child, please contact your pediatric dentist.

Its All About the Kids

The American Dental Association (ADA) defines the specialty of pediatric dentistry as “an age-defined specialty that provides both primary and comprehensive preventive and therapeutic oral health care for infants and children through adolescents, including those with special health care needs.” This article will address the idea of “kid’s time”, which is one aspect of the field that can make your experiences at a pediatric dentist’s office different from that at general dentist’s office.

Pediatric dentists have been described as the pediatricians of dentistry. In order to be called a pediatric dentist, a dentist must complete a two-year pediatric residency after completing a four-year dental degree. This residency prepares pediatric dentists for working with children of all ages, as well as special needs patients.

In catering completely to children, we build our practices as if we were looking through the eyes of a child. Everything from the décor to the size of the dental chairs and instruments are prepared entirely for children. Pediatric dentists create an environment that is aimed toward keeping children of all ages engaged and comfortable during their dental visit.

With this is mind, it’s important for adults to realize that when you enter a pediatric dental office, it’s all about the kids. Pediatric dental offices operate on “kid’s time”. That means that if a child needs additional time and attention in order to make the most of his/her dental visit, this will be accommodated.

Our young patients may handle a first check-up or cleaning appointment very differently from an appointment where the dentist is treating decay. Every effort is made to make these experiences go as smoothly as possible, but, sometimes, extra time and attention is required to calm an anxious patient. Most of the time, scheduling is planned appropriately so as to avoid running behind throughout the day, but we do like to remind the parents that unexpected delays can occur as we are giving all patients as much time as they need to feel comfortable.

So if you encounter some unexpected wait time with your child at your next dental visit, please try and be patient and remind yourself that your child too, will be given as much time as he/she needs to feel comfortable. This is just one of the ways that pediatric dentists do all that they can to develop healthy relationships with their patients, that will hopefully lead to a lifetime of good dental health!

Teeth Whitening Options For Children and Adolescents

By Vishant Nath DMD

Most adults are quite aware of the opportunities for teeth whitening. From toothpastes to whitening strips to whitening treatments at the dental office, there are plenty of ways to make the smile brighter. Due to an interest in teeth whitening for younger patients, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry has issued new guidelines. This article will provide information based on these guidelines.

There are numerous instances where primary (baby) teeth or permanent teeth could become discolored. Dental trauma can cause tooth discoloration. There can be irregularities in the enamel color of an infected tooth. There can also occur intrinsic discoloration and staining of teeth. A discolored tooth can lead to negative self-image, especially in the adolescent years.

Many pediatric dentists will offer in-office bleaching. In-office bleaching has many advantages. It will begin with an initial professional examination to diagnose the causes of the discoloration and address any concerns such as side effects. The dentist will also identify existing tooth restorations that are faulty or could be effected by the bleaching process.

Also with in-office bleaching there is the opportunity to use advanced technologies such as lights and lasers to enhance the treatment. Photographs and shade guides can aid in documenting the effectiveness of the treatment. The dentist can also provide physical barriers to prevent or minimize the exposure of the whitening agent to the soft tissues in the mouth. This can help to decrease the effect of irritation in these soft tissues.

Additionally, in-office bleaching provides for more rapid and stable results than can be guaranteed with at-home bleaching.

If at-home bleaching is preferred, your dentist can assist by fabricating a custom-bleaching tray. The customized tray can help to ensure optimum fit and greater efficiency of bleaching agents.

All of these methods of teeth bleaching have been deemed safe for children. The most common side effects are tooth sensitivity and gum irritation. Both are usually temporary and disappear at the end of the bleaching treatment. It’s also important to note that tooth whitening is often not a permanent fix. Depending on what caused the discoloration originally, it can return over time.

Teeth whitening offers another way to improve the look of your child’s smile. It may not be for everyone, but it’s an important tool to keep in mind. Talk with your dentist to find out more about teeth whitening!