Happy “Tooth-Day”!

Farah Flossit here, hoping your tummies are still full from your yummy Thanksgiving feast!

Sometimes children lose a primary tooth from decay or injury before a permanent one is ready to come in.  This can lead to dental issues down the road.  When a tooth is missing, the other teeth shift to fill the gap.  This is NOT what you want to happen in your little one’s mouth.  This can take up space that permanent teeth would normally occupy when they descend.  As a result, permanent teeth come in crooked & crowded.  This can affect your child’s speech & ability to chew.  Eventually, your child could need orthodontic treatment to correct the problems caused by one missing tooth.

It is not a problem if you lose a primary tooth prematurely as long as you put into place the right solution.  The answer is SPACE MAINTAINERS.  These are devices that fill the space left by a missing tooth.  They are custom fitted to your child’s mouth, & they keep the other primary teeth in place so permanent teeth can come in where they belong.  The dentist removes the appliance when the permanent tooth above the missing one is ready to emerge.

There are several different types of space maintainers, available, so be sure to discuss the options with your child’s dentist.  Space maintainers can be a band or a temporary crown attached to one side of the open space with a loop or bar contacting the tooth on the other side of the space.  They may be made out of plastic or metal.

Your child may have a space maintainer for years, since some permanent teeth don’t emerge until your child is 14 years old.  So it’s important to care for it properly.  Below are some good tips to keep in mind for children with space maintainers:

• Child should not eat sticky candy or chew gum.
• Make sure the child does not tug, push, or play with space maintainers with their fingers or tongue.
• Keep the appliance clean by helping your child brush & floss regularly.
• Make sure you take your child to visit the dentist at least every 6 months.
• If the space maintainer becomes loose, DO NOT THROW IT AWAY, it is important to schedule an appointment with the dentist right away & BRING THE APPLIANCE IN WITH YOU.

Thank you for tuning in on today’s Happy “Tooth-Day’s” report!

I look forward to chatting with you all next week!

In the meantime, you can follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/casasmilespediatricdentistryandorthodontics?pnref=lhc. Instagram http://instagram.com/casasmiles/, Twitter https://twitter.com/casa_smiles, Yelp http://www.yelp.com/biz/casa-smiles-pediatric-dentistry-and-orthodontics-coral-gables & Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/casasmiles/ to hear all about our daily news! You can always call or email us with any questions, concerns, to make an appointment, or for a complimentary Ortho Consultation http://www.casasmiles.com/contact-us/.

Your Friend,

Farah Flossit (Special Agent Flossit)

Happy “Tooth-Day”!

Farah Flossit here,…wishing you & your loved ones a very Happy & Healthy Thanksgiving holiday!:)

At Casa Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we are very grateful for all of our patients!  We ask that you to give thanks to your teeth & your dentist by showing your teeth & gums some love:)

First & foremost, remember that your pearly whites are a very hardworking part of your body.  They grind up your food so that you can eat.  They help you pronounce words so you can speak.  And they make your smile sparkle.  With that in mind, you should NEVER use your chompers to open, rip or chomp down on objects.  It can be tempting to use your teeth to turn a stubborn soda cap or tear apart a package.  But doing so can break a tooth.  Chewing on hard objects such as ice, popcorn kernels, hard candy, pens & pencils may also chip or crack your teeth.  A cracked tooth can be very painful & may require a root canal & crown (not the princess type).  It may even result in an extraction.  So the message is to GIVE THANKS TO YOUR TEETH by being kind, hygienic, & appreciative for all the work they do, everyday!

Save your smile by using your teeth only for the things they are designed to do.  During the holidays we want you to enjoy & eat, drink, be merry, but also brush & floss.  Below you will find some free printables for you to use at your holiday event to document you & your family’s beautiful smiles.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/89579480065781653/

Just a reminder, that vacation does not mean that your oral hygiene habits should take some time off!  Brush at least 2x a day for 2 mins & floss every day.  Below you will find a little quiz to help set the tone for making smart choices during the Holidays!  Click on the link below the image to access the right answers & the interactive version, courtesy of the AAPD.  We want to keep the Mouth Monsters away!

EditTouchShare

Touch image

Share image…

http://mouthmonsters.mychildrensteeth.org/a-day-of-dental-health/

Although I’d like for you all to give thanks to your teeth, don’t forget to remember everything & everyone you should be thankful for.  Follow the link below to print up some cute ways to help the family participate in sharing their reasons for why they are Thankful!

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/271271577528580255/

Thank you for tuning in on today’s Happy “Tooth-Day’s” report!

I look forward to chatting with you all next week!

In the meantime, you can follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/casasmilespediatricdentistryandorthodontics?pnref=lhc. Instagram http://instagram.com/casasmiles/, Twitter https://twitter.com/casa_smiles, Yelp http://www.yelp.com/biz/casa-smiles-pediatric-dentistry-and-orthodontics-coral-gables & Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/casasmiles/ to hear all about our daily news! You can always call or email us with any questions, concerns, to make an appointment, or for a complimentary Ortho Consultation http://www.casasmiles.com/contact-us/.

Your Friend,

Farah Flossit (Special Agent Flossit)

Happy “Tooth-Day”!

Farah Flossit here, spreading good vibes to all!

If you have diabetes, it’s important to take good care of your teeth & gums.  Why? Gum disease can make your diabetic condition worse.  Additionally, if you have diabetes, & good dental care can lower your chances of developing periodontal (gum) disease.   Research suggests that the relationship between gum disease & diabetes is a two-way street.  One disease impacts th other.  Because diabetes reduces the body’s ability to fight infection, the gums are likely to be affected.  Periodontal (gum) disease is an infection of the gum & bone.  People with uncontrolled blood sugar have a tendency to develop periodontal diseases more often & more severely.  They are also more likely to lose more teeth than people who have their diabetes under control.

Diabetes makes the body more susceptible to bacterial infection, so people with diabetes have an decreased ability to fight germs that invade the gums.  Diabetes impairs the immune system, making it more difficult to fight off bacteria & fungal infections.  In addition, diabetics typically produce less saliva–the body’s way of naturally rinsing the mouth.  Diminished saliva productions can lead to dry mouth & tooth decay.

If you do have diabetes, it is imperative that you tell the dentist.  As recommended for all children, with & without diabetes and/or gum disease, getting your cleanings & exams at least 2x a year will help in keeping your gums & teeth healthy.  Remember to brush your teeth gently, at least 2x a day for 2 minutes, giving special attention to the gum line & floss at least once a day.

As parents, there are measures you can take to protect your family’s oral health to reduce the risk of developing conditions such as gum disease & tooth decay.  One common method for reducing the chances of oral problems associated with diabetes is to control glucose with medication & proper diet low in sugar.  The American Dental Association (ADA)   has found that patients with poorly controlled glucose levels are more likely to develop gum disease than those whose glucose levels are controlled.  To help members of your family control blood sugar, consider consulting with your primary care physician regarding healthy eating practices for patients with diabetes.

Below you will find a visual chart to highlight the important facts about DIABETES & ORAL HEALTH:

Thank you for tuning in on today’s Happy “Tooth-Day’s” report!

I look forward to chatting with you all next week!

In the meantime, you can follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/casasmilespediatricdentistryandorthodontics?pnref=lhc. Instagram http://instagram.com/casasmiles/, Twitter https://twitter.com/casa_smiles, Yelp http://www.yelp.com/biz/casa-smiles-pediatric-dentistry-and-orthodontics-coral-gables & Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/casasmiles/ to hear all about our daily news! You can always call or email us with any questions, concerns, to make an appointment, or for a complimentary Ortho Consultation http://www.casasmiles.com/contact-us/.

Your Friend,

Farah Flossit (Special Agent Flossit)

Happy “Tooth-Day”!

Farah Flossit here, hoping your smile spreads joy to others around you:)

Here at Casa Smiles we take matters of the heart very seriously.  Even if your child no longer has a Murmur, just the fact he or she ever had a murmur or heart condition, it is imperative that we get clearance from the Cardiologist or Pediatrician.  Often times, the patient just needs to be pre-medicated.

The reason for today’s discussion about this topic is because many times, parents do not quite understand why knowing this part of a patient’s medical history is so important when visiting the dentist.  The American Heart Association & American Dental Association have concluded that most heart patients do not need to take antibiotics before dental treatments.  This new guideline affects those with rheumatic heart disease, mitral valve disease, calcified aortic stenosis, & some congenital heart conditions.  In the past, antibiotics were prescribed to guard against infective endocarditis– infection of the inner lining or valves of the heart.  When a dentist is cleaning, flossing, or even working on a cavity or extraction, it is not uncommon for gums to bleed & if bacteria gets into the bloodstream, this type of infection can result in heart complications.

According to studies done at Harvard Medical School (Harvard Health Publications),  people with periodontitis (erosion of tissue & bone that support the teeth), chewing & brushing release bacteria into the bloodstream.  Several species of bacteria that cause periodontitis have been found in the atherosclerotic plaque in arteries in the heart & elsewhere.  This plaque can lead to heart attack.  Oral bacteria could also harm blood vessels or cause blood clots by releasing toxins that resemble proteins found in artery walls or the bloodstream.  The immune system’s response to these toxins could harm vessel walls or make blood clot more easily.  It is also possible that inflammation in the mouth may stimulate inflammations throughout the body, including arteries, where it can lead to heart attack & stroke.

In sum, if there is a history of heart murmur or heart conditions, it is very important to first mention it to your child’s dentist & then get medical clearance from your Primary Care Physician or your Cardiologist.  As dental professionals, we ask this of parents to protect the health & well-being of your child.  We are not in any way trying to give you one more item on your to-do list, we are always hopeful that your doctor confirms that you child only had an innocent heart murmur/condition, but I assure you that it is peace of mind to be safe rather than sorry.  Many times when a clearance is provided, the doctor will still require the patient to take antibiotics before having any dental procedures.  Medication will lower the risk that bacteria from the mouth will end up infecting the tissues of the heart, causing endocarditis.

The link between cardiovascular health & oral health is two-fold.  If you have good oral habits from the start, brushing & flossing can prevent more serious health issues down the road, including heart disease.  Overall, people who have chronic gum disease are at higher risk for a heart attack, according to The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD).  Studies have shown that people with moderate or advanced gum disease are more likely to have heart disease than those with healthy gums.  Oral health holds clues to overall health.  Studies have shown that oral health can provide warning signs for other diseases or conditions, including heart disease.

Today’s discussion just reinforces the message that I am always driving home–Preventive Care & Good Oral Health is extremely important to keeping a healthy smile & good overall health!!  Take your child/children to see their dentist every 6 months for their routine exam & cleaning & instill good oral habits from the start.  ~HealthyMouth=Healthy Heart=Beautiful Smile~

Thank you for tuning in on today’s Happy “Tooth-Day’s” report!

I look forward to chatting with you all next week!

In the meantime, you can follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/casasmilespediatricdentistryandorthodontics?pnref=lhc. Instagram http://instagram.com/casasmiles/, Twitter https://twitter.com/casa_smiles, Yelp http://www.yelp.com/biz/casa-smiles-pediatric-dentistry-and-orthodontics-coral-gables & Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/casasmiles/ to hear all about our daily news! You can always call or email us with any questions, concerns, to make an appointment, or for a complimentary Ortho Consultation http://www.casasmiles.com/contact-us/.

Your Friend,

Farah Flossit (Special Agent Flossit)

Happy “Tooth-Day”!

Farah Flossit here,  wishing you well today & always:)

Not all children have the same needs, challenges, or rate of development.  Today’s report is to encourage & motivate parents of children with unique needs to use some tips provided below to help with getting your kids with brushing their teeth.  It is not lost on me that it’s an uphill battle getting any kid to brush their teeth, but encouraging children who have special needs can pose additional challenges.  It will just require parents to get extra creative.  It is very easy to by-pass putting the pressure on, but being persistent may surprise you.  Many children with special needs are faced with discomforts that most can’t understand or comprehend.  They may have oral sensitivity, which can make brushing unpleasant.  Other skills such as spitting can also be challenging.  As parents we want to be sensitive to these challenges, but oral health is very important to overall health, so we need to try different tactics in order to try to achieve these goals.  It may take a little longer than most, but who’s keeping track?  What matters is that you are giving it your best shot!

John Hendry, DDS, a dentist in private practice in Lafayette, Louisiana, who has served as president of the American Academy of Persons with Disabilities:  “Often parents are so overwhelmed with all the other simple duties of caring for a special needs child that they don’t put a priority on oral health & hygiene.”  The goal for children is to brush 2 minutes for 2x a day.  Dr. Hendry is a spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD).  The tips that will be provided today are brought to you from the Monster-Free Mouth Movement (AAPD) & Dr. Hendry, a founding board member & chairman of the Federation of Special Care Organization in Dentistry who has been honored for his commitment to kids with special needs.  Hopefully this tips will help make toothbrushing easier for kids with disabilities & their parents.

Role Play

Take a tip from pediatric dentists & try the “Tell-Show-Do” method of behavior modification.  “We show children-often on a stuffed animal-what we hope to accomplish & allow the child to practice on the stuffed critter to make it a fun experience.  They get to be the dentist/hygentist.”

Tag Team

Ideally, you & your husband/co-parent can both pitch in with toothbrushing, especially early on in the process of introducing the habit to a child.  “one person can hold & comfort,” explains Dr. Hendry & the other can actually accomplish the brushing & fluoride application.”  Note from me:  If you happen to have a 3rd adult handy, he or she can pour you a glass of wine afterward! lol

Make the Brush Comfortable to Hold

For a child with fine-motor-skill issues, notes Dr. Hendry, “toothbrushes can be adapted with a Play-Doh grip, a bicycle grip or even a tennis ball.”

Play a Game

Dr. Hendry is fond of the “smile contest”–as in, “Let’s see who has the biggest smile!”  That way a child exposes his teeth for brushing.  “The patient always wins!” says Dr. Henry.  You can also entice kids with prizes or stickers, he continues:  “Make it a game, but always reinforce with praise.”

Put On Some Tunes

“We have been very successful with getting kids to brush their teeth to their favorite music,” says Dr. Hendry.  “One special needs class brushed to Michael Jackson upon arrival to class, & every afternoon before leaving to a softer, country song.  Occasionally on Mondays I felt they had not brushed since Friday’s departure, but I was comfortable they were brushing at least 10 times a week!  The hidden benefit is that most songs last at least 2 minutes, so we got them to brush for a significant amount of time without getting bored.”

Here at Casa Smiles, we believe ALL children can benefit from these tips.  We would just like to highlight that we think of children with different needs equally.  We love putting big smiles on all children!

Thank you for tuning in on today’s Happy “Tooth-Day’s” report!

I look forward to chatting with you all next week!

In the meantime, you can follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/casasmilespediatricdentistryandorthodontics?pnref=lhc. Instagram http://instagram.com/casasmiles/, Twitter https://twitter.com/casa_smiles, Yelp http://www.yelp.com/biz/casa-smiles-pediatric-dentistry-and-orthodontics-coral-gables & Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/casasmiles/ to hear all about our daily news! You can always call or email us with any questions, concerns, to make an appointment, or for a complimentary Ortho Consultation http://www.casasmiles.com/contact-us/.

Your Friend,

Farah Flossit (Special Agent Flossit)

Happy “Tooth-Day”!

Happy Halloweek to all & to all a healthy smile:)  Don’t forget all the Mouth Monster tips I gave you the last couple weeks.  It’s all about making the smarter choices.

If your little ones tooth gets stuck in some sticky stuff & you need to call for the Tooth Fairy, well today’s post is all about the legend.

Did you know that the tooth fairy traditions are different around the world?  I’m excited to share my finding on what other kids around the globe do when they loose their teeth.

In our neck of the woods, when the tooth fairy pays a nighttime visit to a home, she’s not just picking  up a tooth, she is honored to be part of a family tradition.  One can call it a right of passage that marks a child’s transition from childhood to adolescence.  The legend of the Tooth Fairy stimulates the imagination & reminds us to believe in magic.  In the United States, we tend to leave our fallen tooth under our pillow, but soon you will learn what other traditions children around the world believe in.  The Tooth Fairy hovers quietly, fluttering down gently to collect the tooth from under the pillow, while never walking the sleeping child.  In place of the tooth, she leaves a treasure from her basket for the child to find in the morning.

WORLD TOUR

ARGENTINA & SWEDEN:

• Boys & girls leave baby teeth in a glass of water.  While they sleep, Magical Mouse takes the tooth, leaves the children a little money, & drinks the water.

EUROPE:

• Many European children leave their teeth under their pillow just like a lot of American Kids do, but the Tooth Fairy’s elf & brownie friends are the ones who make the trade for treasure.

THE PHILIPPINES:

• Magical Mouse’s cousin Tooth Rat picks up unwanted teeth in the Philippines.  He doesn’t request water, instead he asks that children leave the tooth on the window sill so he can make the tooth trade quickly & move on to the next house.

COLUMBIA & SOUTH AFRICA:

• There’s another little mouse that makes the rounds in Columbia & South Africa.  Children might leave their teeth under pillows there, but they also leave it in a warm slipper.

CHILE & COSTA RICA:

• In Chile & Costa Rica, children usually give their lovely white teeth to their mothers, who make pretty charms out of the teeth & then give them back to their kids.  People have actually been giving enamel jewelry as gifts for centuries; what better token than your own tooth-LOL.

I hope you enjoyed the fun facts about what the Tooth Fairy does when she travels the world!

In honor of National Orthodontic Month, click on the link below to take an Ortho quiz!

What is an Orthodontist Quiz

Thank you for tuning in on today’s Happy “Tooth-Day’s” report!

I look forward to chatting with you all next week!

In the meantime, you can follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/casasmilespediatricdentistryandorthodontics?pnref=lhc. Instagram http://instagram.com/casasmiles/, Twitter https://twitter.com/casa_smiles, Yelp http://www.yelp.com/biz/casa-smiles-pediatric-dentistry-and-orthodontics-coral-gables & Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/casasmiles/ to hear all about our daily news! You can always call or email us with any questions, concerns, to make an appointment, or for a complimentary Ortho Consultation http://www.casasmiles.com/contact-us/.

Your Friend,

Farah Flossit (Special Agent Flossit)