dentistry

Gum disease is a commonly dealt with issue in the United States, and can destroy the bone in your teeth. 66% of young adults have some form of gum disease, and about 50% of children have periodontal disease. So, how can we take steps to reduce the number of cases of gum disease?

Predispositions to Gum Disease

According to Brush Pediatric Dentistry, these are some of the factors that can make children more prone to developing gum disease.

• Poor oral hygiene habits at home and their novice brushing and flossing abilities
• Various autoimmune diseases and other illnesses (weakened immune system)
• Certain medications can deplete saliva, creating an ideal haven for bacteria to grow inside a dry mouth
• Unhealthy diets full of sugars and starches
• Various hormonal changes that can occur throughout puberty
• Genetics
• Teeth grinding and clenching (bruxism)

How to Prevent it

There are many steps you can take to help your child develop healthy habits so that they don’t develop gum disease. Here are some of our tips!

• Create an oral hygiene routine. Ensure that your child is brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash, if they’re old enough, on a regular basis.
• Organize a healthy eating routine that limits sugars, and encourage them to drink water frequently.
• Take them to their six month dental cleanings regularly.
• Keep an eye out for early signs of gingivitis.

Treatment for Gum Disease

If your child developed gum disease, it’s important to know what comes next. First off, take a step back and calm down. So many people deal with gum disease, and everything will be just fine in the end. Based on the severity of how much bacteria there is, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics, prescription mouthwash, dental cleaning, or in most severe cases, surgical intervention.

Going to the dentist can be a tough experience for children. Having someone they barely know obstruct their mouth for an extended period of time, the possibility of pain, and the possible feeling of powerlessness can cause a child to recoil when it comes to going to the dentist.

Here are a few tips to help reduce your child’s fear of going to the dentist.

1. Find the root cause of their fear to debunk it. Your child may have a very rational fear of a loss of power as they may be unable to communicate during a cleaning. Or, it may be because of the obstructed breathing. Figuring out why the child is fearful of the dentist could help you understand and empathize with your child, which will make them feel more comfortable with their fear.
2. Consistency is key. Make sure that you schedule regular dentist appointments- every six months, you should be scheduling a cleaning. The more the child visits the dentist, the more comfortable they will get with the staff and the office. 
3. Reward your child after the first few visits. Rewards are a great way to motivate your child to associate the dentist with something more positive. There’s no need to bribe your child, but it couldn’t hurt to give a little something small after a successful visit. After the child gets used to the dentist, you can wean off of the rewards and let them do their thing.
4. Set a good example and go to the dentist with them. Schedule your cleanings at a similar time as your child’s so they can observe your appointment before theirs. This will help them get used to what a dentist does during a cleaning.
5. Practice with a mock dentist visit. This could function as a little game with your child where you role play what it’s like to go to the dentist. You can show them what the process is like at a real dentist office.
6. Meet the dentist and the office assistants prior to the cleaning. You can always feel free to come into the practice and say hello, or visit social media channels to see what the office is like. 

Swimming may be primarily a Summer activity, but for those of you looking to take a dip in the pool on hotter spring days or those with children who regularly swim in indoor pools, it’s important to know the implications of swimming on your child’s teeth. Chlorine can become a problem when dealing with dental care. 

How can chlorine hurt your teeth?

Chlorine can cause tooth discoloration and sensitivity if one spends too much time in it. If you take a daily swim, you may want to pay attention to the enamel of your teeth to make sure they do not erode. Highly chlorinated pools have a very low pH, which can cause enamel erosion, among other issues. It can also dehydrate your skin and discolor your hair.

So, how can you protect your child?

• Wear proper facial protection, such as goggles, to avoid sight issues that may lead to facial injuries.
• Remove dental appliances before getting in the pool, as they can get lost or damaged because of the pool’s chemicals. 
• If it burns when you breathe in near a pool, the pH levels may be too low, which can lead to tooth enamel eroding and staining. Make sure that your child keeps their mouth closed as much as possible or find a pool with a higher pH.
• Make sure that they rinse their mouth out immediately after going in a chlorinated pool.
• Observe the area around the pool to ensure that it is a safe pool.

Should I stop my child from swimming?

You don’t need to, but you can monitor which pools they enter to ensure that they are entering a safe level of pH and are wearing the proper facial protection. Swimming won’t necessarily hurt your teeth to the extent that you may think, and as long as you take precautions, you will be safe!

What is TMJ?

TMJ is a disorder of the temporomandibular joint, and is a part of TMD, a collective term for a group of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions relating to the masticatory system. 

Let’s back up. What is the masticatory system? The masticatory system involves the teeth, craniofacial structures and muscles, and jaw muscles. TMJ affects the temporomandibular joint which is the hinge between the lower jaw and the temporal bone in your head.

Diagnosis

TMDs and TMJs are a major cause of pain in the craniofacial regions, not due to orthodontic reasons. TMJs encompass joint pain including arthritis and arthralgia. The disease is diagnosed primarily through imaging, such as radiographs and ultrasounds. Screening questions also may be asked or a physical assessment may be done in order to determine whether further imaging will be required. The following are sample questions that may be asked.

• Do you have difficulty with opening your mouth?
• Do you have pain in or around your ears or your cheeks?
• Has your bite felt uncomfortable or unusual?
• Does your jaw lock or go out?
• Do you hear noises within your jaw joint?

Treatment

TMJ uses two different types of treatments- irreversible and reversible. 

Reversible treatments include patient education, physical or behavioral therapy, prescription medicine, or occlusal splints. Meanwhile, irreversible treatments include orthodontics, surgery, or occlusal adjustment. It is not yet understood which of the therapies or treatments may be best suitable for the disease. However, many recommend reversible treatments for children and young adolescents. There is also inadequate data regarding irreversible treatments, so it is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry that irreversible treatments be avoided.

Check out more on TMJ by clicking here.

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