While most orthodontic problems are not life threatening, there are some early warning signs that indicate your child might need to see an orthodontist even if they still have the majority of their baby teeth.
These are the top 5 that warrant a visit before the problem becomes worse:
1. A persistent thumb, finger or tongue habit
While thumb sucking may help a child sleep better, by the time they go to Kindergarten, those habits should have been eliminated.
If left untreated, they could cause the teeth to be pushed out too far and the jaws to grow in the wrong direction. Furthermore, speech problems and eating difficulties are quite common in children with these persistent habits.
2. Upper teeth that are behind the lower teeth (also called an under bite)
This is a very severe problem that should be treated at a young age while the child is still growing. The upper jaw, in these cases, is not growing at the same rate as the lower jaw.
Read more
10 Tips for Keeping Your Braces Clean
/in Caring For Your BracesKeeping your braces clean can be time-consuming. We found this article that outlines 10 tips for keeping your braces clean. Following these easy suggestions can make taking care of your braces much easier!
Article Featured on DocBraces.com
If you just got your braces or are planning on getting them soon, you’re probably already looking forward to the healthier mouth and great smile that will result.
Like most things that benefit us, however, some effort is required on our part. This includes taking care of your mouth and braces by keeping them clean. When you have braces, brushing your teeth and taking care of your gums is more important than ever. To help you keep your investment in tip top shape, we’ve assembled the top 10 tips for caring for your braces:
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BioGaia’s Oral Health Probiotic Reduces Candida in the Elderly
/in Oral HealthArticle featured on Business Wire
A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study in 215 elderly nursing home residents showed that Lactobacillus reuteri Prodentis reduced the prevalence of oral Candida by more than 50 per cent compared to placebo. “The results show that Lactobacillus reuteri Prodentis may be beneficial in patients at risk of oral candidosis”, says Professor Svante Twetman, Department of Odontology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
After 12 weeks of intervention with two lozenges per day of Lactobacillus reuteri Prodentis there was a statistically significant reduction of 53 per cent in the proportion of patients that had high Candida counts in both saliva and plaque in the probiotic group whereas there was no difference in the placebo group.
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Getting Braces as an Adult
/in Do I Need Braces?, Living With Braces, Orthodontics For AdultsInterested in getting braces? An initial consultation will provide an opportunity to ask questions about orthodontic treatment such as:
Contact us for a free consultation and Biermann Orthodontics will set you up with an evaluation!
Less noticeable teeth straightening options are available today. Learn about your options.
by Krisha McCoy, MS on Everyday Health
Many adults with crooked teeth think they missed their opportunity for braces during childhood. But dental professionals now readily use braces to help correct dental problems at any age. In fact, adult braces are more popular today than ever before.
When Adult Braces Can Help
Adult braces can be used to correct a variety of dental problems, including:
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The Connection Between Oral Health and Overall Health
/in Oral HealthArticle featured on Mayo Clinic
Your oral health is more important than you might realize. Get the facts about how the health of your mouth, teeth and gums can affect your general health.
Did you know that your oral health can offer clues about your overall health — or that problems in your mouth can affect the rest of your body? Understand the intimate connection between oral health and overall health and what you can do to protect yourself.
What’s the connection between oral health and overall health?
Like many areas of the body, your mouth is teeming with bacteria — most of them harmless. Normally the body’s natural defenses and good oral health care, such as daily brushing and flossing, can keep these bacteria under control. However, without proper oral hygiene, bacteria can reach levels that might lead to oral infections, such as tooth decay and gum disease.
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Does Your Child Have Any of These Potentially Serious Orthodontic Problems?
/in About Orthodontics, Orthodontics For ChildrenWhile most orthodontic problems are not life threatening, there are some early warning signs that indicate your child might need to see an orthodontist even if they still have the majority of their baby teeth.
These are the top 5 that warrant a visit before the problem becomes worse:
1. A persistent thumb, finger or tongue habit
While thumb sucking may help a child sleep better, by the time they go to Kindergarten, those habits should have been eliminated.
If left untreated, they could cause the teeth to be pushed out too far and the jaws to grow in the wrong direction. Furthermore, speech problems and eating difficulties are quite common in children with these persistent habits.
2. Upper teeth that are behind the lower teeth (also called an under bite)
This is a very severe problem that should be treated at a young age while the child is still growing. The upper jaw, in these cases, is not growing at the same rate as the lower jaw.
Read more
Dental Filling Options for Cavities
/in About OrthodonticsFillings used to treat cavities have come a long way, and today there are many options beyond traditional metal fillings.
Don’t Miss This
Cavities, also called caries or tooth decay, develop when plaque damages the enamel that protects the outer surface of the teeth.
If you have cavities, it is important to have them treated by a dentist as soon as possible. Without prompt treatment, cavities can eventually progress and affect the delicate tissue and nerves deep within your teeth. When cavities are treated early, serious complications, such as nerve damage and tooth loss can be prevented.
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Mouth Sores – Stomatitis
/in Oral HygieneStomatitis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
Stomatitis, a general term for an inflamed and sore mouth, can disrupt a person’s ability to eat, talk, and sleep. Stomatitis can occur anywhere in the mouth, including the inside of the cheeks, gums, tongue, lips, and palate.
Types of Stomatitis
Types of stomatitis include:
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Many Kids on Medicaid Don’t See Dentist
/in Orthodontics For ChildrenSome improvement found over 5-year period but expert says program cuts could hurt.
Only about one-third of U.S. children on Medicaid receives dental care in a single year, and how often these kids see a dentist depends on where they live, a new study finds.
In 2007, the prevalence of visits to the dentist ranged from 12 percent in Nevada to 49 percent in Vermont, but didn’t reach 50 percent in any state or the District of Columbia, the researchers found.
The researchers also compared the 2007 findings with data from five years earlier.
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Toothbrush Tips to Keep Your Teeth in Shape
/in Oral Hygiene, Tips & TricksBrushing your teeth seems easy enough. But some toothbrushes are better than others and there is a right and wrong way to brush your teeth.
Brushing your teeth regularly is key to maintaining healthy teeth and gums and preventing periodontal (gum) diseases, but it’s also important to make sure you choose the right toothbrush for your teeth and use proper brushing techniques. Done correctly, brushing your teeth at least twice a day — in the morning and in the evening before going to bed, for at least three minutes — can help ensure long-term dental health.
“It takes time to brush effectively,” says Richard H. Price, DMD, spokesperson for the American Dental Association (ADA) and a former clinical instructor at Boston University Dental School. “Most people just rush through it.” Dr. Price suggests setting a timer for three minutes and brushing and flossing until the time runs out.
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Understanding Periodontitis: A Progressive Form of Gum Disease
/in General Care, Oral HygieneGum disease, also known as periodontal disease, exists in two forms: gingivitis and periodontitis. Both types of gum disease arise from a bacterial infection that is usually brought on by poor dental care. Gingivitis is a milder form of gum disease that causes irritated, bleeding gums. If left untreated, it can progress to periodontitis.
Like gingivitis, periodontitis causes gums to bleed and become inflamed. Other signs and symptoms of periodontitis can include:
Many people with periodontitis experience few symptoms. But even in the absence of obvious symptoms, untreated periodontitis can cause teeth to loosen and fall out or need to be extracted.
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