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Many children develop crooked teeth and other orthodontic issues at a young age. But how early is too early for orthodontic treatment? In some cases, early orthodontic treatment is recommended, but in other cases it is wisest to wait until the child has developed all of his or her permanent teeth.

Certain orthodontic problems require early intervention. For example, if a child has a crossbite, it can lead to uneven jaw growth and problems with chewing. In cases like this, a retainer can help widen the dental arch, correcting the crossbite. Likewise, a very narrow dental arch may not leave a child’s teeth enough room to emerge and should be corrected at a young age. In many cases, young children may need to have one or more teeth removed to make room for adult teeth to grow in, or a tooth may erupt in the wrong direction and need to be corrected.

While early orthodontic intervention is recommended in rare cases, the majority of children need to wait until their adult teeth have come in before undergoing orthodontic treatment. During a routine dental examination, your child’s dentist will evaluate his or her bite, facial growth, tooth spacing, and any extra or crooked teeth. Your child will also be examined for signs of tongue thrusting or thumb-sucking, which can inhibit normal dental development and change facial appearance, in rare cases. Most likely, these problems (if they exist at all) won’t be severe enough to require early orthodontic treatment. Your dentist will simply monitor any issues while your child’s mouth grows and develops.

Braces and other orthodontic treatment can help your child achieve a beautiful smile, but if they are used too soon, they can just be a waste of your money. Be sure to work closely with your dentist and orthodontist to determine when the time is right for your child’s orthodontic treatment.

Dentistry has come a long way over the years, but none of the advancements can help a person who doesn’t make an appointment. Millions of people aren’t getting the dental care they need because they can’t or won’t go to the dentist. Now, there’s a breakthrough that’s completely changing dentistry, and making it possible for everyone to get the treatment they need: it’s called sedation dentistry.

People have many reasons for avoiding the dentist. Some feel uncomfortable and even afraid, just thinking about going to the dentist’s office. The sights, sounds and smells of dentistry can be downright scary to many perfectly normal people. Often, it’s memories of past dental experiences, sometimes from childhood, that keep people away. There’s no reason to be embarrassed of your fear of the dentist, because there are millions of people just like you.

Fear, discomfort, and anxiety aren’t the only reasons people have for avoiding the dentist. Some have complex dental problems, and just don’t have time for all the appointments. Others have trouble getting numb or even sitting still for long periods of time.

For all these problems – sedation dentistry is the answer. Once you are comfortably sedated, your fear and anxiety will just melt away. Issues with discomfort, getting numb, and sitting still are no longer problems once you’re enjoying the peace of a relaxed dental appointment with sedation dentistry. Better yet, with sedation dentistry, your dentist will probably be able get more treatment finished in each visit. That means fewer appointments!

Modern dentistry gives dentists a number of sedation options, including nitrous oxide, oral sedation, and even IV sedation. While the techniques are different, the goal is the same: your dentist will give you just enough medication to keep you comfortable and relaxed through the whole appointment. The procedures are highly effective and extremely safe, and the whole team of professionals at our practice has been trained to ensure patient safety and comfort.

Ask about what sedation options are available for your dental treatment. Once you try sedation dentistry, you may never want to have an appointment any other way!

Bad breath, officially known as halitosis, is a problem that plagues most people at some time in their life. While breath fresheners such as mints and gums can temporarily solve the issue, there are preventive measures that can be taken to stop bad breath before it starts.

The best way to prevent bad breath is to maintain a healthy oral hygiene routine. Food debris in the teeth and gums is an ideal environment to foster the bacteria that cause bad breath. Removing this debris often through brushing and flossing is the most effective way to prevent bad breath. Another way to eliminate and prevent halitosis is to use an antiseptic mouthwash to kill bacteria every time you brush and in between meals.

Diet plays a large role in dental hygiene and in the prevention of bad breath. It is obvious that certain foods, such as onions, can contribute to bad breath, but there are certain foods that are actually effective in the prevention of halitosis. Fibrous foods such as raw vegetables not only scrape bacteria from tooth surfaces, but they also promote increased saliva flow, which limits the possibility of bad breath. Eating healthy foods at breakfast is especially helpful in eliminating the bad breath bacteria that can form in the mouth over night. In addition to eating a healthy diet, staying well-hydrated is also an important tool in the fight against bad breath.

Aside from being a social nuisance, bad breath may be a sign of a serious medical condition. If your bad breath persists, it is wise to see a dentist about the problem.