Happy “Tooth-Day” & Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

http://www.cdafoundation.org/

Greetings from me, Farah Flossit!  I hope you are having a lucky day:)

If you are currently carrying your LUCKY CHARM, I have some very helpful & important information about your oral health during your pregnancy & how it directly impacts your baby.  As an expecting mommy, you are already anticipating a lot of changes in your body & keeping your teeth & gums healthy & clean is probably the last thing you were thinking might be important in your baby’s health.  Well, I am going to go over the changes you can expect with respect to your teeth & gums & how you can prevent passing on dental caries from you (mommy) to baby.

WHAT CHANGES CAN YOU EXPECT?

Physiologic changes during pregnancy may result in noticeable changes in the oral cavity.  Some changes you may experience include pregnancy gingivitis, benign oral gingival lesions, tooth mobility, tooth erosion, dental caries, & periodontitis.  An increased inflammatory response to dental plaque during pregnancy causes the gingivae to swell and bleed more easily in most women. Pregnancy gingivitis typically peaks during the third trimester.  Women who have gingivitis before pregnancy are more prone to exacerbation during pregnancy.  Ligaments & bone that support the teeth may also temporarily loosen during pregnancy, which results in increased tooth mobility.  There is normally not any tooth loss unless other complications are present.  Erosion of tooth enamel may be more common because of increased exposure to gastric acid from vomiting due to morning sickness or gastric reflux during late pregnancy.  Pregnancy may also result in dental caries due to the increased acidity in the mouth, greater intake of sugary snacks & drinks (if you are having “cravings”), & decreased attention to prenatal oral health maintenance.  I am reassuring you pregos that these changes to your gums & teeth during pregnancy are normal, but it leads me to reinforce the importance of up-keeping good oral health habits.

So, if you are still wondering why your oral health affects your baby, I’m about to share something most expecting moms never thought possible.  There is something called VERTICAL & HORIZONTAL TRANSMISSION, which is what I’m trying to help all my mommy’s-to-be avoid with some helpful tips.  VERTICAL TRANSMISSION happens from parent to child.  The term refers to transmission of infection from one generation to the next by saliva, milk or through the placenta.  So the healthier your mouth & gums are, the healthier your baby’s gums & teeth will be.  If you get an infection in your gums, you may transfer that infection to your little one.  Minimizing the number of cariogenic bacteria in pregnant mothers may prevent the onset of colonization of these bacteria in their infants.  Once your baby is born, you need to also be concerned with HORIZONTAL TRANSMISSION.  Examples of this is when parents clean pacifiers by putting them in their mouths before giving it back to the baby or sharing spoons.  In a nut shell, mothers are the main source of transmission of dental caries to their children.  The most common etiological factors in childhood caries are prolonged use of a bottle with high sugar containing milk, juice or liquid, & intake of high caries risk diet.  Preventing caries in your little one starts even before their first tooth; it starts when you (mom) are pregnant!

Below is a visual chart for your Oral Health Care during & after pregnancy:

  

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”!

Special Agent Farah Flossit here:)

Great day to all of my friends & followers!  So, for today’s discussion,….BRACE YOURSELF (hint-hint)!!!!  I wanted to show some extra love to our Ortho side here at Casa Smiles http://www.casasmiles.com/orthodontics/ with our fabulous orthodontist Dr. Iwanowski  http://www.casasmiles.com/about-us/dr-iwanowski-dmd/.

If you have invested your time & money in wearing braces, you should know how great it feels to have achieved a beautiful smile & higher self-esteem. So, let’s “Get It Straight”!  It is soooo important to follow through with your recommended treatment & wear your retainers once you remove your braces.  Don’t you want to keep your amazing smile & continue to feel confident when you are taking selfies, giving a presentation at work or school, or just chatting with friends? The TLC you gave your mouth while you had your braces on should not come to an end when you get them off.   At that point, you can gladly say “RE-TAIN-ER”!! If you are saying this, it’s because you have actually graduated and are now qualified to wear RETAINERS; the most important factor in “RETAINING” your winning smile & keeping your teeth straight.  I want to help give you the knowledge you need to understand retainers, what they are, why they are imperative, what types exist, & how to care for them.

WHAT ARE RETANERS? 

Retainers are custom-made devices, usually made of wires or clear plastic, that hold teeth in position after surgery or any method of realigning teeth.  They are most often used before or after braces to keep teeth in position while assisting the adjustment of the surrounding gums to changes in the bone.  Retainers should be worn immediately after your braces are removed.  Initially for about 6 months they should be worn all the time, except when eating food & then you can gradually decrease your retainer time to only at night.

WHY ARE THEY IMPERATIVE?

If you don’t wear your retainers, the teeth which you straightened with your braces will try to go back to their original position & you will go back to having misaligned teeth:(  If you end up in this situation, (which you won’t because you are going to take Farah Flossit’s advise, right?) braces will have to be re-applied & you will have to repeat your treatment.  If you fail to wear your retainer for a short time, it may not fit properly anymore.  If this happens, you need to let your orthodontist know right away.  In order to solve this type of problem, you will probably need a new retainer in order stay on the “brace-less” path.

She’s cute, but with today’s report, you won’t have to worry about this awkward moment. LOL

WHAT TYPES OF RETAINERS ARE THERE?

HAWLEY RETAINER:

The HAWLEY retainer is the best-known type of retainer, which includes a metal wire that typically surrounds the 6 anterior teeth & keeps them in place.  It was named after its inventor, Dr. Charles Hawley.  The Hawley bow, or labial wire, incorporates 2 omega loops for adjustment.  It is anchored in an acrylic arch that sits in the palate (roof of the mouth).  The advantage of this type of retainer is that the metal wires can be adjusted to finish treatment & continue minor movement of the anterior teeth as needed.

Mike from Monsters University wears his Hawley:)

Vacuum-formed ESSIX Retainer (VFR):

Another common type is the vacuum formed retainer (VFR).  This is a polypylene or polyvinylchloride (PVC) material, typically .020″ or .030″ thick.  Essix (invented by Dr. John Sheridan) and Zendura are the brand names commonly associated with this retainer.  This clear or transparent retainer fits over the entire arch of teeth or only from canine to canine (clip-on retainer) and is produced from a mold.  It is similar in appearance to Invisalign trays (which I will discuss in great detail in a future post).  The retainer is virtually invisible & clear when worn.  When eating, the retainer is removed to allow natural consumption and to avoid crushing of the VFR.

Most removable retainers are supplied with a retainer case for protection.  During the first few days of retainer use, many people experience extra saliva in their mouth.  This is natural & is due to the presence of a new object inside the mouth & consequent stimulation of the salivary glands.  Below you will find some of the cool cases you get here at Casa Smiles http://www.casasmiles.com/orthodontics/ when you are ready for your RE-TAIN-ER.

FIXED RETAINERS:

A fixed retainer typically consists of a passive wire bonded to the tongue-side of the incisors.  Unlike the previously mentioned retainer types, fixed retainers cannot be removed by the patient.  Some doctors prescribe fixed retainers regularly, especially where active orthodontic treatments have affected great changes in the bite & there is a high risk for reversal of these changes.  While the device is usually required until a year after wisdom teeth have been extracted it is often kept in place for life.  Fixed retainers may lead to tartar build-up or gingivitis due to the difficulty of flossing while wearing retainers.  As with braces, patients often must use floss threaders to pass dental floss through the small space between the retainer & the teeth.

FIXED RETAINER

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR & RETAINERS:

Below you will find a helpful link to tips on how to clean your retainers:)

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/179440366377544259/

I will leave you all with an informative video directly from the AAO https://www.aaoinfo.org/ to watch & enjoy!  https://vimeo.com/43949875

Thank you for tuning in & I hope you have a great “Tooth-Day”!

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!  Hope you are all having a great day:)

Can you say,… sticky hands, dinosaurs, bling rings, stickers, slinkies, & bouncy balls!!!!! These are just a few of the things you will encounter when coming to get your teeth squeaky cleaned.

“Tooth-Day” I am very excited about sharing how FUN Casa Smiles is to visit.  We are more like a FUN HOUSE.   Aside from the obvious friendly team that greets every visitor, the fun begins as soon as you walk in!  Our kids are welcome to sit & play with our ipads in the waiting area.  They are packed with fun games for all ages.  As a patient, if you visit us in the same month as your birthday, you will see your name on our cool birthday chalk wall, just to remind you how special we think you are.

As soon as one of our dental assistants is ready for you, you will be taken to our treatment area where you can sit with our friend Dudley the Dino.  It’s a lot of fun to practice brushing with Dudley.  While moms & dads wait, they can also enjoy some coffee, tea, water, or even hot chocolate.

For those that like to relax by watching a movie of their choice, we provide headphone & Netflix as entertainment!

 As part of the fun, it is so important to give our parents & young adults helpful information about their oral hygiene & fun resources.  Visit http://mouthmonsters.mychildrensteeth.org/tips-for-parents/ for a timeline about what to expect at every age with respect to your child’s dental health.  Or you can download a fun certificate to give your child after a successful dental visit http://mouthmonsters.mychildrensteeth.org/dental-checkup-award-certificate/.  You can also click & print it below:)

At check out, we have prizes for everyone!  Moms & dads, & kids can grab a chap stick to go! And for those that behaved really well, they can visit our treasure box, where they can pick a FUN prize! Don’t forget that we also have some cool pencils too.  Our goal is that when you are scheduling your next appointment on your way out, you all had a great time & look forward to coming back.

The great thing about this Special Report is that if you haven’t visited us yet, you can show your child or friends how fun going to the dentist can really be, especially here at Casa Smiles http://www.casasmiles.com/.  Coming to Casa Smiles is fun for both our Pediatric patients http://www.casasmiles.com/pediatric-dentistry/ & our Orthodontic patients http://www.casasmiles.com/orthodontics/.  Below you will find a good way to sum up our philosophy here at Casa Smiles http://www.casasmiles.com/about-us/ !

We can never thank our patients enough for having joined our Casa Smiles family, so I thought I’d share the beautiful artwork we love to display that shows how our patients thank us!

All in all, Casa Smiles really takes a lot of pride in making your experience here, a great one!  This post was actually inspired by a mom who was anxious about her little one visiting the dentist for the first time, so I decided that this “Tooth-Day” should be all about providing images about what to expect when visiting our office.  Now, parents can refer to this post to eliminate the anxiety & they will know what to expect at Casa Smiles or the “FUN HOUSE”.  Anything we can do to make you smile, just let us know.

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, & 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”!

Good day to all of my mouth-monster fighting friends, Farah Flossit here:)  At Casa Smiles www.casasmiles.com we really try to discuss real issues & topics that affect our daily lives; useful information & actual resources you can access to help you along the way!

Are you frustrated, tired, or just ready to see your baby “ban the binky”?  Well, the good news is that I will be giving you some good tips & ideas about how to say goodbye to the binky days by getting creative & really thinking ahead before giving it your best shot.

Up until the age of about 2-4 years of age, most parents are thankful for pacifiers as they help calm & soothe fussy babies. Babies use a pacifier or suck on a thumb for comfort or a feeling of security.  The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) http://www.aapd.org/ recommends a pacifier over a thumb because they believe that a pacifier habit is easier to break at an earlier age.

Many children will stop sucking on thumbs or pacifiers on their own between 2 & 4 years of age, but frequent pacifier use over a long period of time can affect the way a child’s bite & the growth of the jaw.  Intervention is recommended for children beyond the age of 3.  The earlier a child can stop, the less chance there is that it will lead to orthodontics problems down the road.  So let’s get to how to “ban the binky” before your baby starts looking like this…..LOL

One of the MOST IMPORTANT things to identify is what situations trigger your child’s desire for a pacifier, so that you can be ready to replace it with something that offers comfort or reassurance.  You may want to consider a transitional object such as a cuddly doll or favorite stuffed toy.  Another idea is to be ready with a fun activity that can help with taking their mind off the desired binky.  You MUST offer positive reinforcement and lots of praise when the child neglects their binky!  Below are some ideas on how to overcome roadblocks you may encounter on your “bye-bye binky” process.

1. Take your little one & the pacifier to the store to pick out a new toy to “replace” the binky.

2. Throw a “Goodbye Binky” party! Set out the pacifier for the Binky Fairy & much like you would make a birthday list or holiday wish list, have your little one put together a “Pacifier Fairy Wish List”!

3. Make the process into a game.  Create a countdown game where you tell the child that over the next 3 weeks Binky will be shrinking.  Start by cutting a very small hole in the top of the pacifier & continue to cut a portion off each week until there is no longer anything left for your child to such on.  This is a great way to separate your child’s association from someone taking the pacifier away to the pacifier just breaking on its own.  At the end, you can tell your child it’s time to bid Binky bye-bye!  If you need a visual, you can print the one below or visit http://mouthmonsters.mychildrensteeth.org/

Whether or not you decide to go cold turkey, or choose to go with one of my fun & creative suggestions, be sure to collect all pacifiers around the house.  The last thing you need is your little one fining a pacifier the week after he or she gave it up & have to go back to square one.

Below are some helpful links, visuals, products, & resources to help you make this process fun & easy!

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/238409373994692405/

http://www.thumbuddytolove.com/

Here is an actual Binky fairy dolly!

The Binky Fairy comes with a children’s illustrated story book and interactive Binky Fairy finger puppet and can help children survive the weaning period of giving up their pacifier. Similar to the Tooth Fairy, parents read the adorable story of The Binky Fairy the night before as children look forward to waking up to their Binky Fairy puppet knowing their Binkys were replaced to help other children. The Binky Fairy puppet comes with removable wings and children learn the story of how she became The Binky Fairy by helping children around the world give up their pacifier without the sadness or fuss. Each Binky Fairy comes with a hard back book and also comes with a success chart and stickers. (Winner of the PTPA Awards – See more at: http://www.thumbuddytolove.com/store-2/#!/~/product/category=0&id=20923897 )

 https://www.pinterest.com/pin/231794712047567366/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/112449321920896401/

Free printables to help make it fun!

ORTHO CORNER!!

Over on our Orthodontics side of our practice http://www.casasmiles.com/orthodontics/, it is really important to educate our patients on how to care for their braces by eating the right foods & being aware of what NOT to eat.  Improving your smile is an investment you do not want to ruin or delay.  I am going to fill you in on some dos & don’ts & point you to some interesting resources where you can find yummy (healthy) recipes to spruce up your menu during your ortho treatment.

Braces are used to straighten teeth, which not only creates a better appearance, but also prevents tooth decay & other oral health problems.  However, braces are ONLY effective when they are properly cared for.

The best foods to eat with braces are those that are not high in sugar and do not require excessive chewing.  For breakfast, try eggs, yogurt, bacon, wheat toast, or oatmeal.  Lunch may steer toward banana rather than an apple, a salad without nuts, servings of lean proteins such as meats or fish, and a glass of water rather than sugary sodas or juice drinks.  For some after-school snacks, you may want to consider baked tortilla chips with salsa & guacamole, or some string cheese with fruit.

As you begin to adjust the alignment of your teeth, they will periodically be tightened to continue the alignment process.  After an adjustment visit, your teeth may be sore & sensitive to certain foods.  After your ortho appointment, you may want to try some of the suggestions below:

• Pudding
• Mashed potatoes
• Soup
• Ice Cream
• Cottage Cheese
• Peas
• Pancakes
• Pasta

Below are some of the DONT’S:

• Hard Candies
• Gum
• Nuts
• Popcorn
• Certain raw veggies (for example, carrots)

Regardless of what you eat, with braces, KEEPING THEM CLEAN, is most important!! This means brushing & flossing after meals to prevent build-up of plaque & decay.

In my quest for helpful information on this topic, I came across a great site that offers a free collection of braces-friendly recipes! Click on the link below to enjoy & explore:)

https://grainddiction.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/nowrecipebook-braces-friendly.pdf

We hope your adorable Binky pumpkins can “Ban the Paci” & we hope your adorable metal mouths enjoy some new food options & ideas!  I love sharing with all of you & look forward so circling back with you next “Tooth-Day”!  If you have any topics or concerns you would like me to discuss, you can leave a comment or contact us http://www.casasmiles.com/contact-us/ to let us know!

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, & 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”! Special Agent Farah Flossit here,…..:)  I’m excited to tell you all about how to improve your dental health by picking some healthy snacks! I will also be showing you guys some good resources that you can use to remind your little ones to brush & floss, with stylish displays–best of all, FREE!  You’ll also meet a new Ortho Villain & how we want to help give a lucky kid a new smile.  And last but not least, a fun printable activity to do with your kiddos!

http://mouthmonsters.mychildrensteeth.org/

We can actually eat our way to a cleaner mouth.  Some of the best choices for the health of your mouth include cheeses, chicken, nuts, and milk.  These foods are thought to protect tooth enamel by providing the calcium and phosphorus needed to remineralize teeth.  Other food choices include firm/crunchy fruits (ie:  apples & pears) and vegetables.  These foods have a high water content, which dilutes the effects of the sugars they contain, & stimulate the flow of saliva (which helps protect against decay by washing away food particles and buffering acid).  As for drinks, water is the best choice.  If you are going to offer your kiddos anything other than water, try to keep the choices to juices & teas that are low in sugar.  The best practice is to brush & floss after you eat & snack, but if that is not possible, drinking water can cleanse your teeth when swished around in your mouth to remove bacteria.

Here are some SMART SNACKS you can put on your grocery list:

FRUITS:
-Melons
-Pears
-Oranges
-Berries
-Pineapple

RAW VEGGIES:
–Carrots
-Celery
-Cucumbers
-Broccoli

GRAINS:
–Whole grain bread
-Pretzels (unsalted or low-salt)
-Cereals (unsweetened)
-Plain bagels

MEATS & PROTEINS:
-Baked chicken or turkey
-Peanut butter (unsalted or low-salt)

DAIRY:
–Cottage Cheese
-Cheddar, swiss, mozzarella, monetary jack
-Yogurt

ORTHO CORNER:

MEET THE CROOKED TOOTH VILLAIN!!!

Here at Casa Smiles http://www.casasmiles.com/, Dr. Iwanowski http://www.casasmiles.com/about-us/dr-iwanowski-dmd/, our Fabulous Orthodontist, is on a mission to do away with the Crooked Tooth Villain by helping as many kids & adults improve their smiles & build up their self-confidence.  Make sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter to find out how to help a lucky kid get an entire Orthodontic treatment FREE!  There will be special instructions, so check in & you or one of your kids that has not already started their ortho treatment with us can be the lucky winner!

CREATIVE CORNER & FUN FINDS:

Displaying cute & colorful artwork to promote good oral hygiene is a great way to decorate & remind your little ones what to do when they go to the bathroom!  Below you will find just a few Free Printables that I came across on Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/casasmiles/likes/ that I’d thought you might like:)

http://todayscreativeblog.net/get-your-craft-on-creative-project-ideas/

http://www.craftaholicsanonymous.net/free-floss-like-a-boss-printable

http://ctutesycrafts.com/2013/07/checking-out-bathroom-with-cottonelle.html

Check out this new toothbrush designed for parent’s hands & a child’s mouth!

http://www.shopmambaby.com/teething-oral-care

Visit https://www.aaoinfo.org/ or print the fun word search below as a fun activity to do with your little one!

Well, we love sharing fun facts & cool finds with you!  Circle back with us next “Tooth-Day”!

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, & 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)