Fillings

Dentists at Kidz Connextion have experience filling cavities for patients of all ages.  Fillings are a great way to preserve teeth that have experienced some decay or are chipped or cracked.  Getting a cavity filled is a standard and non-invasive procedure that is typically completed in a short appointment with local anesthetic.  The area is numbed before a dentist removes any decay from the affected tooth.  The tooth is then thoroughly cleaned and prepared for the filling material.

Amalgam fillings are made from a mixture of metals that bond together to create a hard, strong filling for a compromised tooth.  Amalgam fillings don’t blend in with natural teeth, but they are a durable option and some patients choose to use metal fillings on their back teeth.  Composite fillings are more aesthetically matched to the look  natural teeth.  These fillings are typically used on front teeth and surface cavities.  Once the material is placed, it is trimmed and polished to blend right into a patient’s natural smile. If you or anyone in your family is in need of a filling, please contact us.

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

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease, and though it is reversible, this doesn’t mean that we encourage you to neglect your teeth. Gingivitis causes gums to be swollen, inflamed, and tender to touch. If gingivitis is left untreated, it can advance to periodontitis and lead to tooth loss. To prevent gingivitis, you should visit our doctors at Kidz Connextion at least twice a year for professional cleanings.

Gingivitis is an infection that occurs when harmful bacteria invade the soft tissues and bone adjacent to teeth. The warm, moist environment is a breeding ground for these bacteria. To get rid of them, you’ll need to practice proper oral hygiene habits. This includes brushing at least twice a day and flossing at least twice a day in addition to visiting us for dental exams.

If you have questions or concerns regarding gum disease, please give us a call. To learn more about our pediatric services here at the office visit www.kidzconnextion.com for more information. To schedule an appointment in Phoenix AZ, call 623-223-1001.

Prevent Cavities

No one wants to hear that they have a cavity when they go to the dentist’s office. This is because cavities are a sign of tooth decay, and are holes in the teeth that can grow deeper over time. Cavities don’t always cause pain, but once they develop, they will need to be filled. Our doctors at Kidz Connextion are here to offer different ways to prevent cavities.  

Cavities are caused by plaque that sticks to the teeth and isn’t adequately removed. To prevent them, all you need to do is simply keep your mouth as clean as possible. We recommend carrying a portable toothbrush with you so that you can brush your teeth anywhere and anytime. Additionally, use American Dental Association (ADA) approved mouthwash to keep plaque from sticking. It’s important to know that cavities aren’t just prevented by proper oral hygiene; you’ll need to reduce your sugar intake because sugar attacks enamel and causes cavities.  

If you have questions about pediatric oral care, please give us a call. To learn more about our pediatric services here at the office visit www.kidzconnextion.com for more information. To schedule an appointment in Phoenix AZ, call 623-223-1001.

How Parents Can Ease Children's Dental Anxiety

Ideally, children will get their first dental check-up when they are too young to remember it and continue to have regular appointments throughout their lives. But that doesn’t mean they won’t develop anxiety about seeing the dentist. At Kidz Connextion, our staff is trained to soothe children, but there are things parents can do to manage their kids’ expectations before the visit.

It’s helpful for parents to say that the dentist and hygienists are friends who will clean the child’s teeth and make sure they’re healthy. Parents should avoid implying the visit will be painful by telling the child to be brave or that they’ll get a reward for not being scared. We work to accommodate children, including those with special needs, by explaining to them the procedure and the tools we use in terms they can understand. However, it is not necessary to talk about procedures which the child may not actually need, such as fillings.

Often, when children are scared of the dentist, it is because they are picking up on anxiety from their parents. If one parent has more of an issue with dentists, it is better for the other to take the child in for the visit. The best thing to do is focus on the positives of getting a professional cleaning: a shiny smile and a strong bite.

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

 

Fluoride Facts

Known as nature’s natural cavity fighter, fluoride is beneficial for children and adults. Fluoride is an element that is naturally found in most water sources such as rivers, lakes, and oceans. The best way to absorb fluoride is by drinking tap water. It can also be delivered through fluoride toothpaste that has been approved by the American Dental Association. Allow our doctors at Kidz Connextion to educate you on some fluoride facts.

Children and adults who are at low risk of dental decay can help themselves stay cavity-free by frequently exposing themselves to small amounts of fluoride. An easy way to do this is by brushing with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day. Fluoride works by putting an end to the tooth decay process and keeps enamel strong and solid.  

If you have questions or concerns about fluoride, please give us a call. To learn more about our pediatric services here at the office visit www.kidzconnextion.com for more information. To schedule an appointment in Phoenix AZ, call 623-223-1001.

Sugar and Teeth

Our doctors at Kidz Connextion know that kids love sugar. In fact, they love it so much, that they often develop cavities before the age of 10. As much as we love to see our pediatric patients, we want them to keep their smile as healthy as possible. Sugar is the leading cause of tooth decay, and we want to take the time to explain the effect is has on teeth.

Vending machines and grocery stores are filled with sugar-laden foods, but our doctors encourage you to take frequent strolls down the water aisle instead. Sugary beverages create acids that destroy tooth enamel and these can lead to cavities if a patient isn’t careful. According to the USDA, sugar should make up no more than 10% of your daily calories. If the sugar habit is hard to break, try diluting apple juice or soda with water.

If you have questions or concerns about nutrition and oral health, please give us a call. To learn more about our pediatric services here at the office visit www.kidzconnextion.com for more information. To schedule an appointment in Phoenix AZ, call 623-223-1001.

Pain around Fillings

Fillings prevent the bacteria that cause tooth decay from hiding in cavities, which means the child hopefully won’t continue to experience tooth aches after receiving treatment. However, the area around the filling is often sensitive for a few hours after its placement. This isn’t normally a cause for concern, but if the pain persists, a visit to Kidz Connextion Dental Care may be necessary.

A filling should not prevent a child from biting down completely. If it is doing so, or a patient has to put themselves in a great deal of pain to bite with force, the filling probably needs to be removed and replaced with one that is shaped to better fit the tooth. (This problem occurs more often with some materials which shrink after they’ve been placed.)

If a patient’s toothache continues days after the placement of the filling, it may be that the tooth pulp became infected from the decay. Our advanced imaging technology can determine whether this has happened. But even if there was nothing wrong with the placement of the filling or the pulp of the tooth, it is possible for the seal holding the filling in place to develop a crack. If that happens, bacteria could enter the crack and begin causing decay, and the tooth would need to be re-treated.

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