Stress and Jaw Pain

When people are under increased stress, they are at greater risk of developing health conditions. That’s no less true for oral health, or for children and teenagers. People dealing with stress may grind their teeth in the night, putting themselves at risk for tooth aches and breaks. At Kidz Connextion in Phoenix, we want our patients to be able to avoid this, which is why we’re discussing TMJ and night guards.

 

The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are the two joints that link our lower jaw to our skulls. They are powerful and able to move in every direction, making them among the most complex joints in the body. Sometimes, the joints become swollen, such as when a child suffers from a rheumatic condition, and sometimes people grind their teeth in the night because they suffer from sleep apnea and are unconsciously trying to clear their airways. But usually when children and teenagers have swollen temporomandibular joints, it is because they are clenching their teeth at night or grinding them, which is a habit called bruxism. The grinding may crack their enamel or damage their orthodontics, and the swollen joints may spread pain down their necks or to their heads.

 

Although psychological counseling may be necessary to relieve stress, we can assist with protecting a teenager’s teeth. A night guard is a customized oral appliance that is worn at night and shields the teeth from pressing into each other. It also repositions the jaw to allow a person to rest more comfortably. Dentists can also teach stretching exercises that will loosen the jaw muscles, putting less pressure on the temporomandibular joints and helping patients to remember to avoid clenching their teeth in the day.

 

Kidz Connextion has three convenient locations in Phoenix, Arizona. To schedule an appointment at 2533 N 75th St, text 623-232-0749. For our office at 2046 N 24th St, text 480-666-5984. For our office at 524 E Baseline Rd, text 480-405-4714. Or, visit Kidz Connextion on our website.

Flossing Technique

From the moment our first teeth come in, flossing is essential for oral hygiene. Learning to floss properly is a major milestone for children in their self-care, and parents need to understand how to do it for them until then. There are a few details about flossing that are important to get right for it to be effective, so we wanted to remind everyone of what those are so they won’t figure out the hard way that they’ve been flossing wrong.

 

The first step of proper flossing is to not be stingy; you’ll need about a fifteen-inch long strand. Wrap the floss around your middle fingers and pull it taut so that you can maneuver it with your thumb and index fingers. Slide it along each side of each tooth, pulling it toward the tooth so it bends in a c-shape, and slide it as far along as is possible without causing gum pain. Wiggle it back and forth on the way out so as much plaque is caught as possible, and keep doing this until no more plaque remains. As you go, you’ll unspool fresh thread and spool up the other end of the floss to ensure you’re not spreading plaque from one tooth to another.

 

Flossing isn’t just about removing large chunks of food debris; it’s also about clearing residue from tooth surfaces. It’s important to remember to floss the backs of the back teeth, as well. Prosthetic crowns also need to be flossed. In a healthy mouth, flossing should not cause bleeding. If it does, schedule an appointment with us so we can perform a treatment for gingivitis.

 

Kidz Connextion has three convenient locations in Phoenix, Arizona. To schedule an appointment at 2533 N 75th St, text 623-232-0749. For our office at 2046 N 24th St, text 480-666-5984. For our office at 524 E Baseline Rd, text 480-405-4714. Or, visit Kidz Connextion on our website.

Mouthwash for Children

Are children able to benefit from mouthwash? Possibly, but it depends on their age and whether their parents accurately understand what mouthwash is able to do. At Kidz Connextion in Phoenix, we regularly see children of all ages and are happy to help their families understand their oral treatment options, so let’s take a closer look at how mouthwash should be used.

 

Outside of special cases, the mouthwash marketed to children is a fluoride fortifier or cosmetic. What this means is that it may help to prevent tooth decay by providing the teeth with more fluoride, or it may simply combat bad breath. It is non-alcoholic and, like mouthwash for adults, may supplement brushing and flossing but is not a replacement for ordinary hygiene. It may also help to mask bad breath by shaking food particles loose, but it will not kill bacteria on the tongue or ease dehydration, which is usually the source of halitosis in children.

 

Children under the age of six should not use mouthwash or they may be overexposed to fluoride, resulting in cosmetic problems for their teeth. A child over the age of six should still demonstrate that they are able to spit the mouthwash instead of swallowing it. However, teenagers and older children with braces often appreciate the improvement mouthwash can have on their breath, and as long as they continue to floss appropriately each day, it can be helpful for immediately removing food debris. Prescription-strength antibiotic mouthwash may be used in cases when a patient suffers an injury such as a dry socket, but is usually used for adults.

 

Kidz Connextion has three convenient locations in Phoenix, Arizona. To schedule an appointment at 2533 N 75th St, text 623-232-0749. For our office at 2046 N 24th St, text 480-666-5984. For our office at 524 E Baseline Rd, text 480-405-4714. Or, visit Kidz Connextion on our website.

Periodontal Disease

Did you know that it’s abnormal for your gums to bleed while brushing your teeth? Your hands shouldn’t bleed when you wash them, but many people seem to think that bleeding from the gums is normal. In actuality, this is a sign of an underlying issue. We at Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces in Pheonix, AZ, dedicate our time and expertise to educating patients about good oral health. Your experienced dentists will help you achieve the smile you’ve been longing for.

If your gums are swollen and bleeding, these are signs of the beginning stages of periodontal disease known as gingivitis. The gums have been infected with bacteria-infested plaque, which is usually caused by poor dental hygiene or pre-existing conditions. Periodontitis is the advanced stage of the disease, where the teeth can actually be loosened and fall out.

Factors that increase your risk of periodontal disease include:

-Chronic stress

-Certain medications such as antidepressants, diuretics, high blood pressure meds, seizure-controlling meds, and calcium blockers

-Poor nutrition

-Fluctuating hormones

-Diseases such as diabetes, leukemia, inflammatory bowel disease, and HIV

-Teeth grinding

-Crooked or crowded teeth

-Tobacco use

-Genetics

-Poor dental hygiene, especially with braces on your teeth

Are you suffering from periodontal disease? Come in for a checkup. We will assess what’s going on and get you started on a treatment plan. Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces has three separate offices in the Phoenix, AZ, area for your convenience. For more information about our services or to schedule an appointment, please visit kidzconnextion.com. You can also call 623-232-0749 for our N. 75th St. office, 480-666-5984 for the N. 24th St. office, and 480-405-4714 for the E. Baseline Rd. office.