Bonding and Fillings

Chipping or breaking a tooth can be very painful. It leaves the tooth misshapen or with a sharpened edge that could hurt the inside of your mouth. Dental bonding and fillings assist in rebuilding the affected tooth with special materials. Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces in Phoenix, AZ, is proud to offer both of these procedures to our patients. Your trusted dentist is committed to helping fix your smile when unexpected chips and breaks occur!

Dental bonding restores the natural shape of your tooth by using composite resin matched to your specific tooth color. In cases of accidental damage or minor decay, it is an inexpensive way to restore the look of the tooth to its normal healthy self. Dental bonding can also be used for protecting the roots of your teeth. Receding gums that expose the tooth root allow bacteria in easily, making them more susceptible to infection.

Dental fillings focus more on restorative efforts rather than cosmetic ones since they are stronger and more durable than dental bonding. This method also has a low cost but is the better option over dental bonding in the long run. Whereas dental bonding fixes the outside of the tooth, dental fillings fix the inside of a tooth that has been damaged from decay or breakage. For back teeth, it’s better to use metal fillings so that it can better withstand the force of chewing. 

Have you chipped or broken a tooth? We will assess the damage and come up with 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.

Root Canals

One of the most notoriously known procedures in endodontics is the root canal. Endodontics focuses on the nerves of the teeth. As you may know, anything that affects a nerve in the body is quite painful. It is vital that steps are taken toward the prevention of ever needing a root canal. Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces in Phoenix, AZ, is committed to educating patients about proper dental hygiene at home and the importance of regular dental cleanings.

When bacteria infect the root canal of a tooth, a root canal procedure is required to eliminate this bacteria, prevent reinfection, and save the natural tooth. When a patient undergoes a root canal, the inflamed pulp caused by the bacteria is removed, then the inside of the tooth is disinfected, filled, and sealed carefully. If the natural tooth is saved with a root canal, there are many advantages for the patient. Benefits include protection from the other teeth getting worn or stained, normal biting force and sensation, natural appearance, and better chewing.

Signs that you might need a root canal include:

-Swollen or tender gums

-A chipped or cracked tooth

-Pimples on your gums

-Pain while chewing or biting

-Darkening of your gums

-Sensitivity to hot or cold, even after the sensation has been physically removed

Are you suffering from a severe toothache? Hurry in for a checkup! We can 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.

Night Guards

Night guards are placed in the mouth to act as a “cushion” during sleep to prevent someone from grinding or gnashing their teeth together. Some people actually do this during the day as well. Grinding your teeth, also known as bruxism, damages enamel, wears down teeth, causes jaw pain, and irritates gums. If you think you are grinding your teeth, Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces in Phoenix, AZ, can help you.

Severe teeth grinding can lead to tension-type headaches and disorders in the temporomandibular joints (TMJ), where a clicking noise is heard when you open and close your mouth. Teeth grinding has also been seen in quite a few children. According to WebMD, “approximately 15% to 33% of children grind their teeth.” The first step to preventing teeth grinding is to determine what is causing it. Sometimes a night guard or change in lifestyle is all you need to prevent it.

There are several factors that increase the chances of grinding your teeth:

-Stress and anxiety

-Age (though common in children, bruxism goes away by adulthood)

-Aggressive or competitive personality type

-Psychiatric medications

-Smoking tobacco

-Consuming caffeine or alcohol

-Family history of teeth grinding

-Other disorders such as Parkinson's, dementia, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), epilepsy, night terrors, sleep apnea, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Do you think you’re experiencing bruxism and want to try a night guard? We are happy to address any questions or concerns you might have. 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.

Myofascial Pain Syndrome

If you’ve ever had an issue inside your mouth, you’re most likely aware of the varying degrees of pain that come with it. Mouth pain ranges anywhere from mild discomfort to feeling like your head is exploding, just from a toothache and tenderness. Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces in Phoenix, AZ, is committed to correcting the problem in your mouth and helping you manage any pain associated with it. This includes Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS). Your experienced dentist takes pride in educating patients about how to prevent future oral problems. 

MPS commonly occurs in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The pain is caused by tension, fatigue, or spasms in the jaw muscles. MPS is usually triggered by bruxism, a condition where a person clenches or grinds their teeth during sleep. Nightguards are a great way to prevent bruxism and ultimately the jaw soreness that is felt in the morning. MPS is not limited to just the jaw muscles, it can occur anywhere in the body including the back and neck muscles. 

Other treatments and preventions of MPS include:

-Splint guard, mouthguard, or nightguard

-Mild analgesics

-Physical therapy modalities

-Anxiolytic before bed

Are you suffering from MPS? Come in for a checkup. 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.

Protect Your Braces With a Mouthguard

While preventing head trauma is the main concern during contact sports, some people rarely consider their teeth and any hardware attached to them as another vital area to protect. We at Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces in Phoenix, AZ recommend athletes of any age to wear a mouthguard while participating in high impact sports. Such sports include football, hockey, lacrosse, wrestling, basketball, baseball/softball, and soccer. Mouthguards are especially beneficial for patients who are undergoing orthodontic treatment. You are given only one set of teeth, it’s up to you to take matters into your own hands and protect it!

In addition to mouthguards protecting the structural integrity of your teeth, they also protect against jaw damage and lacerations to your cheeks, tongue, and lips. Mouthguards have also been proven to decrease the risk of concussions. What’s better than another way to protect yourself from serious head trauma? While mouthguards are available in most sporting goods stores, these don’t always offer the best protection since they can be ill-fitting.

A custom made mouthguard is the best option if you want to have the highest level of comfort and protection. It is created with thin, hardened plastic specifically to fit your mouth and your mouth only. The thinness of a custom mouthguard also allows for easy breathing and communication between your teammates. To ensure optimal protection on the field, court, or rink, always choose a custom made mouthguard.

We are happy to address any questions or concerns you have. 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.

Dental Emergencies

Whether it’s around the house or while you’re playing a sport, things happen sometimes that require you to see your dentist for a dental emergency. Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces in Phoenix, AZ will always offer a helping hand when disaster strikes your teeth! It’s important that you get in contact with our office as soon as possible so that we can get your dental emergency taken care of.

Here are a few scenarios your trusted dentist can help you with:

-Lost crown: try to locate the crown, seeing if it will fit back on to the tooth. If not, use some over-the-counter denture cement to hold it in place and then contact us straight away!
-Dislocated tooth: if your tooth is only partially knocked out, clean the area and keep the swelling down. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help with that. And don’t touch the tooth at all!
-Missing filling: similar to a lost crown, contact us right away. The earlier you alert us the quicker we can create a replacement.
-Knocked-out tooth: find the tooth and clean it properly. See if it will fit back into its allotted space. Otherwise, place it in some cold milk or salt-water.
-Broken or chipped tooth: rinse your mouth while saving as many fragments as possible. Apply ice packs in a fifteen minute cycle to reduce swelling.
-Unexplained toothache: try cleaning your mouth vigorously. This removes any debris pressed up against or stuck between your teeth. Give us a call if this doesn’t help.

There are a few other scenarios that aren’t true emergencies that we also treat, like toothaches, a cut tongue or lip, abscessed tooth, or swollen cheeks, lips, and teeth.
Do you have a question about dental emergencies? We are happy to address any concerns that may come up. 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.

Importance of Dental Hygiene

Kids hear it, the neighbor hears it, grandma hears it: take care of your teeth! It goes for everyone, especially if you are going through orthodontic treatment. Avoid complications by brushing and flossing daily and seeing your dentist yearly for professional cleanings. Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces in Phoenix, AZ, takes pride in educating patients about the importance of proper oral hygiene. Help us help you keep your smile looking good for years to come!

Did you know that there is a connection between oral health and overall health? Sometimes what’s going on inside your mouth can be an indicator of what’s going on inside your body, and vice versa. Mayo Clinic says “Studies suggest that oral bacteria and the inflammation associated with a severe form of gum disease (periodontitis) might play a role in some diseases.” Some diseases, like diabetes and HIV/AIDS, have the potential to lower the body’s resistance to infection, causing oral issues to be more severe in patients afflicted with these diseases. On the other hand, patients with poor dental hygiene are at a higher risk for problems like cardiovascular disease or pneumonia.

For good oral hygiene, try to:

-Brush and floss twice a day
-Use mouthwash after brushing and flossing
-Eat a healthy diet with plenty of fibrous foods to act as “nature’s toothbrush”
-Limit sugar and acidic beverages
-Replace your toothbrush every three months
-Schedule regular checkups and cleanings with your dentist
-Avoid chewing or smoking tobacco products

We are happy to address any questions or concerns you have. 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.

Plaque and Tartar

You’ve doubtlessly heard about the dangers of plaque and tartar. These build-ups on teeth can contribute to cavities and stains, and your child needs to brush and floss their teeth everyday to prevent them. But you may not be clear on what the exact difference between plaque and tartar is, or whether one is a bigger problem than the other. At Kidz Connextion in Phoenix, we consider dental education to be one of our most important duties. We thought it would be a good idea to go over the basic aspects of how dental build-up develops, and why tooth brushing is one of the most important things you can teach your child to keep them healthy.

Our mouths are home to millions of bacteria. Most of them are helpful or harmless, but some of them produce acid when they eat the food that gets stuck to our teeth. Our teeth are always covered with saliva, and plaque is the name we give to the acidic mixture of saliva and bacteria that develops when the bacteria are allowed to increase in number. Bacterial acid causes teeth to decay and our gums to recede, and over time, it may cause cavities to grow and teeth to become unstable. When plaque hardens, it becomes tartar, which is the solid yellow mineral coating we see on the edges of teeth if we don’t floss often enough. Tartar further contributes to gum recession, which may be difficult to reverse.

The best thing your children can do to remove plaque is brush their teeth at least twice a day. Dentists recommend brushing babies' teeth as soon as the first one erupts. Children’s teeth, in particular, tend to be softer and more vulnerable to decay, and before they get orthodontic treatment, it’s harder to clean every side of every tooth. Regular dental appointments give us an opportunity to remove tartar and teach proper brushing technique, reducing children’s risk of developing toothaches and needing expensive fillings.

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.

Dentures

 Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces in Phoenix, AZ, takes pride in helping patients achieve their best, confidence-boosting smile. For patients with missing teeth, we offer both full and partial dentures. Dentures are designed to replace missing teeth as well as the surrounding tissues. They are custom made, removable, and significantly improve the function and appearance of your smile. You can even eat and sleep with them! Your trusted Phoenix, AZ dentist will ensure that your new dentures fit your mouth properly and comfortably.

Full dentures are either “conventional” or “immediate.” Conventional dentures are made after the teeth have been completely removed from the gum tissue and the healing process has had a chance to begin. After that time, this type of full denture is placed in the mouth for eight to twelve weeks. Immediate dentures are made in advance and can be positioned as soon as the teeth are removed. This is a great alternative to conventional dentures because the wearer doesn’t have to go without teeth during the healing process. Partial dentures are also removable and are used when one or more teeth remain in the upper or lower jaw. This type of denture requires crowns on the teeth on either side of the space to attach artificial teeth and a cemented-in bridge. Partial dentures fill in the open spaces so that the remaining teeth cannot shift, and they appear more natural-looking than full dentures.

Other benefits of full and partial dentures include:

-Facial muscle support

-Allows patients to eat food they couldn’t eat without teeth

-Improves the ability to chew, eat, and speak

-Improves appearance and smile

-Improves self-esteem and confidence

Do you think you could benefit from dentures? We are happy to address any questions or concerns you may have. 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.

Crown Lengthening

 Do you feel like you have a “gummy” smile? In other words, are your teeth covered by excess gum tissue? Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces in Phoenix, AZ, is committed to helping patients feel confident and happy with their smiles. We are excited to offer crown lengthening to bring out the fullness of your teeth!

The crown lengthening procedure involves reshaping your gum line as well as the bone around the affected tooth or teeth. This creates a more balanced gum to tooth ratio. The great thing about crown lengthening is that it can be performed on as many or as little affected teeth there are in the patient’s mouth. One tooth with excess gum tissue can be reshaped or a whole gum line can be reshaped, depending on the patient.

In addition to your smile becoming more aesthetically pleasing, crown lengthening also improves the overall health of your gums. The edge of the restoration is sturdy enough to withstand brushing and flossing to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. 

Are you interested in learning more about the crown lengthening procedure? We are happy to address any questions or concerns you have. 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.

Implants

 Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces in Phoenix, AZ offers many dental services, even implants. Dental implants are replacements for natural teeth that are missing or have been removed. They are a better alternative to dental bridges because other teeth will not be affected. Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces is dedicated to helping you achieve the smile you deserve with dental implants. 

The process for dental implants will take place over a few appointments, spanning over a couple of months. The first part of the process is installing the implant itself. You will be placed under general anesthesia for the procedure. Your trusted dentist will make an incision in the gums, placing the titanium screw into the jaw. After, the gums are sutured shut. The entire procedure itself takes around twenty minutes to complete. 

It takes between 3-6 months for the implant to completely heal. During this time the jaw bone will form around the implant in a process called osseointegration and you will be given crowns during the healing process. This will let you continue to eat and speak normally throughout. Once the implant is fully healed, an abutment is placed. This will serve as the base for your new tooth. An impression is then created from this and sent to a dental laboratory. There, your permanent restoration will be created. At your final appointment at Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces, your experienced dentist will attach the final restoration. 

Are you missing one or several teeth? Could you benefit from dental implants? Come in for a visit and we will discuss it with you further. We are happy to address any questions or concerns you may have. 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.

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

 Also called early childhood caries (ECC), bottle mouth, and infant caries, baby bottle tooth decay occurs when a child’s teeth come into contact too often with sugary snacks and drinks. This includes milk and infant formula. We at Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces in Phoenix, AZ are committed to educating parents about helping their children develop good oral hygiene habits. The earlier good habits are instilled, the more likely children will maintain them through adulthood. 

The complications that arise from baby bottle tooth decay can be as severe as your child not developing speech properly. This is a serious problem since children are essentially sponges, taking in information and constantly learning. Baby bottle tooth decay can make speech development difficult with nasty infections and chronic pain. 

Prevent baby bottle tooth decay by:

-Flossing your child’s teeth after they’ve all grown in

-Brushing your child’s teeth as soon as they start growing in

-Taking your child to regular dentist check-ups

-Encouraging healthy eating habits

-Limiting your child’s sugar intake

-Teaching your child how to drink from a cup at six months of age

-Weaning your child off the pacifier

-Wiping your infant’s gums after a feeding

Is your child due for a routine checkup? We can help with that! 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.

Toothbrush Care

Toothbrushes are essential tools for removing decay-causing bacteria and their food sources. But how do you clean the tool you use for cleaning? And how do you know when you need a replacement? At Kidz Connextion in Phoenix, our patients receive a toothbrush with each regular appointment, but if they’re using them properly, they’ll need to switch toothbrushes more frequently than that. Fortunately, taking care of a toothbrush is usually easy.

 

Each time a toothbrush is used, it should be run under tap water afterward to rinse away some of the bacteria and debris it accumulates. Following that, it should be allowed to air dry in an upright position. Leaving toothbrushes inside travel caps will keep them damp, allowing mold to grow on them. Putting them in an upright position will allow moisture to drain out of them, and keeping them in separated holders will prevent cross-contamination. Besides avoiding contact with other people’s toothbrushes, your child may want to keep their toothbrushes separate if they have different ones for their teeth and oral appliances such as retainers and mouthguards. Plastic sometimes requires gentler toothpaste than enamel, and grit leftover in a toothbrush could leave scratches in a retainer.

 

A toothbrush will need to be replaced when it flares outward too much to reach into crevices between the teeth. This typically happens after about three months of use, regardless of whether it is manual or electric. However, if the user has recently suffered a nasal or respiratory infection, they should dispose of the toothbrush after recovering. Toothbrushes also need to be replaced if they become warped or damaged in a way that would allow mold to colonize cracks in their handles. For this reason, we recommend not running toothbrushes in the dishwasher or storing them anywhere they could easily melt.

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.

Bite Checks for Children

Children’s mouths change rapidly. With new teeth coming in and constantly being rearranged, it can be a challenge for kids to maintain proper hygiene. But ease of brushing and flossing isn’t the only benefit of having straight teeth, and children are able to undergo orthodontic therapy that is unlikely to be successful later in life. At Kidz Connextion in Phoenix, we provide general and orthodontic services, and we want all our patients’ parents to understand why it’s important for their kids to get regular bite checks.

 

Ideally, when a person bites down, their upper front teeth will rest outside of their lower ones and the outside of each upper tooth on the sides will close outside of the lower molars and premolars. Hygienists will ask a patient to demonstrate biting down during their examination, which will also allow us to observe if their jaws are uneven or catching or if there are wear marks on their teeth consistent with nighttime grinding. However, in pediatric patients, the more pressing concern is usually a malocclusion, which is when misalignment in the teeth interferes with biting. Malocclusions most commonly take the form of overbites, in which the upper teeth extend too far beyond the lower ones, underbites, in which they don’t extend far enough, and crossbites, in which the side teeth do not fit together.

 

Children’s facial bones don’t fully solidify until adolescence, and until then, braces can be used to guide their teeth into significantly different positions. But orthodontic therapy takes a lot of planning, and dentists will want to leave room for unerupted teeth or, in the cases of wisdom teeth, anticipate needing to remove them before they disrupt work in progress. Performing a bite check can help us to recognize immediate issues such as a high filling that’s interfering with the bite, but it will also allow us to observe whether a tooth is at risk for long-term instability or being pushed further out of place due to the pressure being put on it by a misalignment. Sometimes, early orthodontic intervention can prevent more serious misalignments from causing structural damage to the entire mouth.

 

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.

Tooth Sensitivity

Hot weather will soon be upon us, and kids and adults alike are looking forward to frozen treats. But for many people, tooth sensitivity is a serious drawback to eating ice cream and slushies. At Kidz Connextion in Phoenix, we want all our patients to be happy with their teeth and set up for a lifetime of good oral care. Nobody should accept tooth sensitivity as a normal part of life, and this week, we’re going to take a closer look at what causes it in children.

 

The outer portion of a dental crown is made up of enamel, which is the hardest material in the body. But the inner tooth is made up of pulp and contains a nerve as well as blood vessels. In between the pulp and enamel is dentin, a porous substance that easily conducts heat. Dentin is a yellow-grey color and can be seen when a person’s enamel is thin. The less enamel is covering a crown, the more sensitive the pulp will be to changes in temperature. Gum recession can also contribute to tooth sensitivity because the enamel surrounding a tooth root is naturally thinner to begin with, and once the gum recedes, the root will lose its only insulation.

 

Sensitivity in children is usually due to tooth decay. In adults, acid reflux, a loose filling, or enamel wear from grinding would also be likely culprits. But children have softer enamel, more difficulty using toothbrushes and floss, and tooth misalignments that make it harder to brush each surface of each tooth. Brushing more thoroughly is the best way to combat tooth surface infections, but more thorough does not mean harder; gums may also recede from being brushed too hard. Dentists can help children to learn better brushing techniques, and parents may try getting them chewable tablets that will leave powder on children’s teeth to show them spots they’ve missed. Parents might also want to try getting their children toothpaste for sensitive teeth, which will make dentin less conducive to heat, and should bring their children to regular appointments to have their enamel reinforced with fluoride. Persistent toothaches may require fillings, in which case, they should be done as quickly as possible.

 

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.

What is Fluorosis?

Do your child’s teeth look different? White spots or pits? Your child may have fluorosis, a condition that’s caused by increased fluoride exposure while the teeth are growing into permanent molars. With three locations in Phoenix, AZ, Kidz Connextion treats a variety of dental conditions, including fluorosis.

Cause

Fluorosis is caused by overexposure to fluoride on your child’s teeth during the first eight years of their life. 

Fluoride is a natural ingredient present in products like toothpaste, water, soda, juice, and mouthwash. Your Phoenix, AZ dentist rounded up some tips for limiting fluoride intake:

-Avoid soda and juice.

-Use a toothpaste amount no smaller than a grain of rice for children under age three. For older children apply a pea-size amount.

-Fluoride levels in water normally don’t affect teeth. If your community’s water source contains high amounts of fluoride, consider other water sources like bottled water.

-Keep mouthwash away from children under the age of six.

Symptoms

-Yellow or dark brown discoloration

-White pits or spots

-Ridges around the teeth

Although fluorosis has no serious oral health effects, symptoms are permanent without treatment. For some patients, the changes in appearance are a source of shame or loss of confidence.

Treatment

We offer a variety of cosmetic treatments for both adults and children who have fluorosis at our Phoenix, AZ office:

-Crowns

-Veneers

-White Fillings (Bonding)

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.

Starting Early at the Dentist

What age is best to begin visiting the dentist? At Kidz Connextion, located in Phoenix, AZ we recommend 12-months as the ideal age to bring your child into our office. Many parents are surprised at how young this age is, but good dental habits start early. Here are three reasons why early dental visits are better for your child’s oral health.

Prevention
Don’t wait until your child develops cavities to take them to the dentist. Trips to the dentist when your kids are young are beneficial for preventing any oral health issues they are likely to face down the road. Whether it’s cavities, tooth decay, or sensitivities, your Phoenix, AZ dentists are ready to evaluate your child for any signs of poor dental health. Starting your children at 12-months is even better because we can evaluate your son or daughter’s primary teeth. While these teeth are considered baby teeth, they are essential in facilitating the growth and position of permanent teeth. Another advantage to starting dental visits young is the ability to monitor teeth and jaw development. Teeth naturally shift and change as we grow older, and for children, it’s no different. Whether it’s overbite or crowded teeth, the earlier the better it to monitor these issues, so book an appointment today at one of our three Kids Connextion locations. 

Hygiene Habits

Your toddler begins to eat three meals a day at 12-months old. This means more food is likely to get stuck in the mouth, creating plaque and a higher risk for cavities. By visiting the dentist earlier in their childhood, your son or daughter will not only benefit from our treatments like sealants or crowns that work to remedy these dental issues but also gain a headstart to learning valuable oral hygiene lessons. From flossing techniques to colorful toothbrushes, our dentists are kid-friendly and hands-on to teach your kids the importance of good dental habits. 

Ease Dental Fears

It’s common for children to have fears about the dentist. Taking your kids early to the dentist prepares them for what to expect in the future. Many children are anxious about dental equipment or even the whole process of getting their teeth checked out. Early visits will familiarize them with a new environment and ease any lingering nerves.

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.

Night Guard

If you grind your teeth, you’re most likely familiar with night guards. Prescribed to protect your teeth from the damage that results from teeth grinding or bruxism. With three locations in Phoenix, AZ, Kidz Connextion offers expert care for teeth grinding, including night guard care. Here are a few tips and tricks for night guard hygiene.

Night guards are usually made from acrylic or hard plastic. Since these mouthguards are meant to be worn for long periods of time, it’s important to sanitize them properly. Dirty night guards are home to breeding grounds for dangerous bacteria that wreak havoc on your oral health.

The best way to wash your night guard is under lukewarm water and mild soap. Since night guards are removable, they’re easier to clean. However, the interior surfaces of the acrylic appliance are harder to disinfect. Use a toothbrush or cotton swab to gently scrub the inside of the night guard.  

Your Phoenix, AZ dentists advise sanitizing night guards soon as you remove them. When dry, bacteria and debris are harder to unclog on the surface of retainers.

In general, night guards need to be handled gently to preserve for long-term use. This means staying away from any harsh cleaners and rough scrubbing. 

If you want a deeper clean for your night guard or notice bacteria stuck on the surface, bring your device to Kidz Connextion for special cleaning.

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.

What is Laughing Gas?

Nitrous oxide or commonly known as laughing gas is used in health care facilities to reduce pain and numb patients during a variety of treatments including surgery. At Kidz Connextion we use laughing gas to provide a safe and effective environment for your child during dental procedures. Here’s everything you need to know about laughing gas before you book your next appointment today at one of our three Phoenix, AZ locations!

What Is Laughing Gas?

Nitrous oxide or laughing gas is a colorless odorless substance mixed with nitrogen and oxygen. This sedation method has been used for centuries and was first discovered in 1793 by English scientist Joseph Priestly.

How It Works

Before undergoing a procedure that uses laughing gas sedation, avoid eating a big meal at least three hours beforehand. Your Phoenix, AZ dentist will fit a small mask over your nose to inhale the nitrous oxide gas. The sedation effects only take a few minutes after you breathe normally through the mask. Nitrous oxide gas does not put you to sleep, so you will still be able to hear sounds and see what is going on. Instead of feeling anxious and worried during your dental treatment, laughing gas causes euphoria and an increased level of relaxation.

Once the mask is removed, your lungs will need a few minutes to receive oxygen again and your body will be alert in no time.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of nitrous oxide include mental confusion and tingling or numbness of the limbs. The chances of negative side effects are very low, with patients experiencing fatigue, vomiting, shivering, or sweating when nitrous oxide dosage levels were too high or inhaled quickly. At Kidz Connextion, our dentists and staff are skilled in administering laughing gas and will be at your side every step of the way.

Effects

Laughing gas has three effects for patients:

-Pain reduction

-Increased levels of euphoria, so you’re relaxed

-Decreased anxiety and dental phobia

Is Laughing Gas Safe for Children?

With new technologies in health practices, laughing gas is widely known as a safe sedation method for children. Talk to your Phoenix, AZ dentist to find out if you’re child is a candidate for laughing gas today. 

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.

The History of Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth can be a pain in the neck or more specifically the mouth. These teeth appear later in life, emerging in the upper and lower back areas of the mouth in the 17-25 age years. After wisdom teeth grow in completely, your dentist may recommend a tooth extraction to prevent infection. At Kidz Connextion located in Phoenix, AZ, your dentist provides safe and effective wisdom tooth extractions. But first, the question remains, why do we have wisdom teeth anyway?

History of Wisdom Teeth

Since they are the last to appear in the human mouth, wisdom teeth garnered the title “wisdom” presumably because they make you wiser. Wisdom teeth were once very useful in human history, aiding our ancestors to chew and tear tough roots, meats, nuts, and plants. But because most of the human diet today is soft and cooked foods, the need for wisdom teeth is virtually none, with anthropologists suggesting their DNA may soon completely disappear from genetics.

Wisdom Teeth Today: Extractions and Removal

Since wisdom teeth aren’t needed anymore today, they are more likely to do harm than good to your mouth. When a wisdom tooth can’t break through the gums or is stuck under the gums, this means it’s impacted. A wisdom tooth that grows at the wrong angle due to lack of room in the mouth also is impacted. Partially impacted wisdom teeth, which only slightly emerge from the gums are also a cause for concern. 

Your Phoenix, AZ dentist recommends an extraction when your wisdom tooth is impacted and if you experience the following symptoms:

-Pain

-Infection

-Ulcers near the tooth

-Tooth decay

-Damage to nearby teeth

-Gum disease

-Trouble opening jaw

-Bleeding gums

-Sudden bad breath

Sometimes wisdom teeth, even if not impacted, don’t need to be removed because they cause no oral health issues. Here are examples of when you don’t need an extraction:

-Your wisdom teeth are healthy and fully grown in

-Your wisdom teeth are positioned correctly

-Your wisdom teeth are easily reached for proper dental hygiene

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.

How Stress Affects Your Dental Health

When it comes to stress, mental or emotional strain may be the first thought to come to mind, but stress also greatly impacts a person’s dental health. At Kids Connextion located in Phoenix, AZ, your dentists pride themselves in treating all things teeth, including any stress-induced condition you may face. Here are a few ways stress affects your dental health. 

Teeth Grinding

Bruxism or clenching and grinding of the teeth can be caused by stress and anxiety. Oftentimes, you’re unaware you’re even grinding since occurs during sleep, leading to enamel damage and even jaw soreness and headaches. To protect your teeth from the damaging effects of grinding, your Phoenix, AZ dentists recommend a dental night guard to wear. 

Gum Disease

Another condition potentially caused by stress is gum disease. If you’re under extreme stress, you are more inclined to snacking on sugary food or even forgetting to take care of your teeth. Failure to brush or floss regularly increases your risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

Canker Sores

Wondering why those pesky and painful spots appear in your mouth? Canker sores or mouth ulcers are also thought to be triggered by stress or a decreased immune system. These shallow wounds occur around the insides of your lips and make it difficult to eat or talk. These sores naturally disappear after 7-10 days, but if your sores are recurring, your dentists at Kids Connextion in Phoenix, AZ, will provide other forms of treatment.

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.

4 Reasons to Clean Your Tongue

Brushing and flossing shouldn’t be the only steps included in your dental hygiene routine. Recent studies suggest tongue cleaning reduces harmful bacteria in your mouth. At Kidz Connextion located in Phoenix, your dentist is passionate about dental hygiene, including the importance of tongue cleaning. Here are four reasons to clean your tongue.

Combat Bad Breath

Do you suffer stinky breath and have tried everything from special toothpaste to mouthwash with no results? A 2014 study by the Journal of Periodontology revealed that cleaning your tongue is one solution to reduce bad breath. The study discovered tongue cleaning removes up to 75 percent of the compounds that cause bad breath versus a toothbrush only removes 45 percent of the tongue’s compounds.

Eliminate White Tongue

A white tongue is a condition that results from poor hygiene, trapping bacteria and debris into the tongue’s tiny bumps, or papillae. Your Phoenix, AZ dentists advise a gentle scraping of the tongue to solve this usually harmless condition.

Reduce Plaque

Plaque is a thin sticky film of bacteria typically found on your teeth and tongue. Regular flossing and brushing removes this bacteria on your teeth, but what about your tongue? That’s why tongue cleaning is important for removing these harmful bacteria and preventing plaque from spreading across your body through your saliva. 

Improve Taste

It’s no wonder your tongue’s build-up of bacteria and plaque has a profound effect on taste. According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology, taste sensations improved significantly after two weeks of tongue cleaning using a tongue scraper. 

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.

Do You Have a Chipped Tooth?

If you have a chipped or cracked tooth, don’t wait too long to seek treatment. At Kids Connextion located in Phoenix, AZ, your dentist specializes in crowns, sealants, and much more to preserve your beautiful smile, but also prevent further damage. 

Teeth can break or chip in many different ways, but some of the most common ways are sports injuries, eating hard foods including ice cubes, and falling. Whether the damage is big or small, your dentist offers a variety of treatment options to fix your chipped tooth.

Bonding

For minor fractures, tooth bonding is a great procedure to fix chipped teeth. This safe and affordable solution molds a resin over an adhesive gel. Using ultraviolet light, this resin is then hardened on top of the affected tooth. 

Crowns

If your teeth have deeper cracks and are susceptible to damage, your Phoenix, AZ dentist recommends crowns as a treatment option. A dental crown restores your tooth by covering it with a cap or crown. For a painless procedure, you will receive anesthesia while we file down your tooth to fit the crown. Once the tooth is reduced in size, an impression of the tooth and surrounding teeth will be taken for the mold. Typically, this restoration process takes 2-3 weeks.

 

Sealants

Sealants are great options for people interested in fixing tooth holes in their mouth. Your dentist will first place an adhesive on the teeth. The next step is to place the liquid sealant that hardens and protects the tooth from food particles, debris, bacteria, and any cavities. Sealants are a wonderful treatment method for many issues since they last for 10 years. 

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.