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.

Cleaning Your 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.

6 Tips to Improve Your Smile

Your smile is key to making a good first impression. That’s why your dentists at Kidz Connextion are passionate about improving patients’ smiles at their three Phoenix, AZ locations one mouth at a time. Here are six ways to transform your smile today!

Proper Hygiene

Regularly flossing and brushing your teeth is a no brainer for keeping your smile beautiful and healthy. Without proper care, your molars will rot and decay. Invest in a good quality toothbrush for use twice a day. Try to rinse your mouth with water after every meal to remove any lingering debris in your molars. Forming good habits like this will take you far in achieving the pearly smile you dream of! 

Eating Healthy
It’s no secret that sugary drinks and junk food have a big impact on your teeth. If you want a beautiful smile, it’s best to stay away from unhealthy foods. A little candy or soft drink is fine here and there, but don’t let your sugar tooth run loose.  Too much sugar results in everything to avoid for a pretty smile: cavities, tooth decay, enamel, and gum erosion, and much more.

Avoid Foods That Stain
Coffee, red wine, and even tomatoes are just some of the many foods that stain your natural teeth hue. But, you don’t have to ditch the drink right away. Instead, opt for a straw when you sip and rinse after consuming.

Teeth Whitening and Cleaning
Some teeth stains are unavoidable and that’s where your Phoenix, AZ dentists come in. To return your teeth to their natural color, we offer free teeth whitening for all new and insured patients at our dental offices.  We’re passionate about your oral health, so our convenient cleaning and dental hygiene sessions allow for a whiter shinier smile.

Braces

Do you have gaps or crooked teeth? Braces are a great way to fix this issue all while drastically altering your smile for the better. Contact us today to learn more about the braces we offer for adults and children.

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.

Canker Sores 101

Canker sores are irritating wounds in your mouth that make chewing, talking, and even moving your jaw incredibly painful. But you don’t have to suffer forever. With three locations in Phoenix, AZ, Kidz Connextion specializes in all things relating to the mouth, including canker sores. Here’s everything you need to know about canker sores.

What Do Canker Sores Look Like?

Canker sores or mouth ulcers emerge as small shallow open wounds in the mouth. Usually appearing under the lips, tongue, or inside the cheeks, canker sores are red with a thin grey, yellow or white film. 

There are three types of canker sores: minor, major, and herpetiform sores. Minor canker sores are the most common type of mouth ulcer. Major and herpetiform sores are rarer, both with longer healing periods Major canker sores may scar as they heal. 

Causes

We don’t know exactly what causes canker sores, but your Phoenix, AZ dentists rounded up some potential triggers:

Stress
Physical trauma like rough brushing, biting, or metal braces scratching around the gum line

Poor dental hygiene

Acidic and spicy foods
Nutritional deficiencies like vitamin B12
Sodium lauryl sulfate, commonly used in toothpaste

Treatment

Canker sores aren’t serious and certainly not contagious. Usually, these ulcers heal within 7-10 days, but if you get persistent canker sores or experience extreme pain, contact our office for an appointment 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.

How to Clean Your Retainer

Retainers are essential for maintaining your teeth’s position after braces are removed. These dental appliances are worn lifelong to prevent the natural shifting of teeth. But irregularly sterilizing your retainer can wreak havoc on your oral health. At Kidz Connextion located in Phoenix, AZ, your dentist provides special attention to braces aftercare. Here are some tips and tricks to keep your retainer clean for an amazing smile.

There are three types of retainers on-the-market: Hawley wire, clear and permanent bonded retainers. Each retainer varies in terms of hygiene care.

Hawley Wire Retainers:

Hawley wire retainers are the standard retainers at Kidz Connextion. Made of hard acrylic or plastic with a metal wire, these retainers are removable and durable. This is why Hawley retainers are the easiest to clean.

The best way to wash your Hawley retainer is under lukewarm water and mild soap. If you notice plaque or debris on the surface of your retainer, don’t be afraid to scrub very gently with a toothbrush or cotton swab.

 

Clear Retainers:

Invisalign and Essix retainers both fall into this category. While clear retainers are also removable, the interior surfaces of the appliance are harder to disinfect. 

Like Hawley retainers, sanitize clear retainers soon as you remove them. When dry, bacteria and debris are harder to unclog on the surface of retainers.

Permanent Bonded Retainers:

These retainers are the hardest to clean because they’re permanently fixed to your teeth. Usually bonded to the back of the molars, these teeth are difficult to floss between the permanent retainer. Your Phoenix, AZ dentist recommends a floss threader to weave between your retainer.

Additional Tips:

Retainers 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 retainer or notice bacteria stuck on the surface, bring your device to our office 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.

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.

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.

Hygiene During Orthodontic Treatment

Oral hygiene is already important when it comes to a healthy mouth, but it’s even more important when the mouth is going through orthodontic treatment. There are more nooks and crannies when brackets are placed on the teeth, wherein food is easily trapped and turned into plaque. Your experienced dentists at Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces in Pheonix, AZ, take pride in educating patients with braces about the importance of an at-home oral hygiene regimen.

Patients with braces are at an increased risk for early stages of tooth decay and gingivitis if proper oral hygiene isn’t used. Your trusted dentist recommends brushing your teeth with a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, as well as flossing, two to three times a day. You should be brushing in and around each bracket and wire, brushing in a circular motion where the gums and teeth meet, and brushing in a back and forth motion on the tops of molars.

Other things to consider during orthodontic treatment:

- Pay attention to what you eat and drink. Sugary foods and drinks erode enamel and make the teeth more susceptible to tooth decay, especially if you aren’t brushing properly or regularly.

- Certain foods can loosen, break, or bend wires. To limit stress on your braces, avoid eating hard or sticky foods.

Do you have a question or concern? We are happy to help! 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.

Braces & Cavities

Braces often come with a load of different complications. Not only are they uncomfortable, but it can make it difficult to keep your mouth clean. Maintaining your dental routine prevents problems like tooth decay. It might not seem fair, but you can still get cavities when you have braces. Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces have put together these helpful tips for avoiding such pitfalls. If you ever suspect you have a cavity or have any orthodontic questions, reach out to our dental experts at our Phoenix, AZ, offices.

First, what exactly is tooth decay? Residue from your food and drinks produce acid. These wear away your enamel, whose function is to protect your teeth. Bacteria are attracted to these acidy areas. They make their way through your enamel and attack the dentin. Cavities are the end result. Maneuvering your toothbrush is difficult with braces. You can’t reach all the necessary areas. That’s why patients with braces experience such an increased likelihood of tooth decay.

Following these specific steps decreases your risk of tooth decay. Start off by rinsing your mouth with water. This knocks loose any trapped debris. Begin brushing your gumline at a 45-degree angle. Then angle it down towards the brackets. Do this to the bottom of the brackets as well. Be very thorough and gentle throughout the process. Make sure you brush every single tooth. Flossing is the next step. It’s recommended that you get a floss threader. It moves the floss underneath the wire, letting you floss normally. Finally, use mouthwash to clean any leftover areas.

Your Phoenix dentists recommend flossing after every meal when you have braces. Food can easily get trapped in the tighter spaces that braces create. Ask your dental staff about which foods are safe to eat. It’s best to avoid any foods that are sticky or sugary.

Come to Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces for all your orthodontic needs. We are located in three different locations in the Phoenix, AZ, area. If you’re interested in learning more or scheduling an appointment, visit our website.

Removing Braces

Now that Kidz Connextion in Phoenix offers orthodontic services, we thought our patients would enjoy learning more about what they have to look forward to after finishing major steps of their treatment. Removing braces is generally an easy process, but patients should still feel prepared for it.

We heavily emphasize to patients the importance of protecting their orthodontic brackets. They can be knocked loose by contact sports or misshapen by sticky foods such as toffee. Because of this, you may not be surprised to learn that the dental cement used to attach brackets to enamel is designed to be removable. Following the removal of elastics and wires, the dentist will compress the bracket with a plier. The deformity in the bracket will cause the dental cement to snap away from it, allowing the bracket to be lifted out.

We’ll use flat-tipped pliers to leverage out the metal bands surrounding the molars. Both methods of removing brackets are meant to prevent us from needing to pull on a patient’s enamel, although they will still feel pressure as we remove the molar brackets. Once all the metal is removed, we’ll scrape away the remaining cement. An impression of the patient’s mouth can then be taken and used to shape a retainer. The patient should be able to eat normally again by the end of the day.

Kidz Connextion Dental and Braces maintains offices around Phoenix. To find out more, visit our website at Kidz Connextion.

Causes of Gap Teeth

A gap between the front teeth may not be the most uncomfortable misalignment, but it can make people self-conscious and cause them to whistle as they speak. At Kidz Connextion in Phoenix, we provide orthodontic therapy to correct gaps (also known as diastema), but it’s important to understand their various causes since they can determine which treatment is most appropriate.

If the misalignments are only cosmetic, they may be fixable using non-invasive orthodontic means such as invisible aligners. But a gap between the top front teeth, like an overbite, may be related to behavior. Thumb sucking and tongue thrusting can result in both kinds of misalignments and will have to be corrected for orthodontic therapy to last. Tongue thrusting is sometimes done involuntarily while swallowing and help from an ear-nose-and-throat doctor may be required to fix it.

It is also possible that there is a growth on the inside of the mouth that is pushing the teeth apart. This could simply be an overly large labial frenum, which is the connective tissue between the upper lip and the upper jaw. An oral surgeon could cut away a small amount of it so the teeth will have room to move together. Children’s teeth wouldn’t usually have problems such as staining or cracks, but we can provide new crowns if there is a major problem and crowns can be guided with braces.

Kidz Connextion Dental Care maintains offices around Phoenix. To find out more, visit our website at Kidz Connextion.