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.