Brushing For Two Minutes

It’s hard to get a child to sit still, let alone get them to brush his or her teeth for two minutes. The American Dental Association recommends that children brush their teeth for two minutes twice a day. This will keep their baby teeth healthy, which will assist in keeping permanent teeth healthy when they begin to erupt. Our doctors at Kidz Connextion are here to help you get your child on the path to excellent oral hygiene.

Children love learning something new, so take the time to make dental care fun. Play their favorite song while they brush their teeth so that the time passes without them noticing. There are also children’s toothbrushes on the market that play Disney tunes for exactly two minutes to make brushing something to look forward to. Once your child is done brushing his or her teeth, reward them with good behavior. Don’t allow it to be a snack because that will just ruin all the hard work, but a sticker or a bedtime story won’t hurt!  

If you have questions or concerns about oral hygiene or dental 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.

Crowns for Pediatric Patients

Crowns are not as common in pediatric dentistry as with adult patients, but they are safe to use on children and can be a solution for patients of all ages.  Dental crowns protect teeth that are cracked, chipped, stained or so decayed that a simple filling will not restore the tooth enough to prevent future damage.  Crowns fit over the top of a tooth to protect it while blending in with the surrounding teeth. Crowns can also be used as a part of a dental bridge, which can replace a lost or missing tooth with an artificial one that is anchored on either side by crowns.

When a crown is needed, your dentist may need to contour the existing tooth to ensure the crown will fit perfectly over it.  Crowns can be stainless steel or ceramic, and depending on the location of the tooth, your dentist may recommend one over the other. Once the crown is placed it should be cared for like your own tooth.

If you think anyone in your family would benefit from a dental crown, our dentists can determine if you are eligible candidates. Kidz Connextion Dental Care maintains offices around Phoenix.  To find out more, visit our website at Kidzconnextion.com.

Why Do We Have Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth grow in the very back of the mouth and usually erupt between the ages of 17 and 22. Essentially, our mouths are able to hold 28 teeth, but including wisdom teeth, we each have about 32. However, with modern advancements in oral hygiene and softer diets, we don’t need these wisdom teeth like our ancestors once did. Wisdom teeth can be problematic depending on the individual, to discuss yours or your child’s, schedule a consultation with our doctors at Kidz Connextion.

So why do we have wisdom teeth? Anthropologists believe wisdom teeth or the third set of molars, were the evolutionary answer to our ancestor’s early diet of coarse, rough food – like leaves, roots, nuts, and meats – which required more chewing power and resulted in excessive wear of the teeth. The modern diet with its softer foods, along with marvels of modern technologies such as forks, spoons, and knives, has made the need for wisdom teeth nonexistent; however, they don’t always need to be removed.

If you have questions or concerns about tooth extractions, 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.

Thank You for Your Positive Reviews!

Here at Kidz Connextion, our staff appreciates feedback from parents and patients because it teaches us how to improve as a team. Our staff would not only like to thank our Alexa W. for this positive review, but we would like to thank her for being an excellent patient. If you recently experienced exceptional service from our office, please let us know!  

“My kids had a great first-time experience and all of the staff was great! Especially the woman who does the face painting, my kids loved her. She is so kind and patient with children.” – Alexa W.

If you would like to leave a testimonial or are interested in learning more about the services we provide at our practice, visit our website at Kidzconnextion.com.

Dental Sealants

Almost half of all children and adolescents in the United States have had cavities in their permanent teeth.  At Kidz Connextion, we apply sealants for young patients to start protecting teeth early. Molars first come in at around 5-7 years of age, with a second set coming in between the ages of 11-14. It is best to have a sealant placed when the molars first come in to ensure they are protected early. 

In children and teenagers, most tooth decay occurs on the chewing surfaces of molars where the pits and grooves can trap food and bacteria.  Dental sealants are applied to surfaces of these back teeth much like paint. The plastic resin fills any pits and grooves on the surface, and then hardens. Now the surface is protected from bits of food being stuck, and bacteria cannot multiply and cause decay.  Sealants also protect tooth enamel from plaque and acids, and can effectively prevent cavities for up to ten years.

To learn more about dental sealants and all the services we provide, give us a call at 623-223-1001.  Kidz Connextion Dental Care maintains offices around Phoenix.  To find out more, visit our website at Kidzconnextion.com.

Losing the First Tooth

If your kid is turning into a big kid, losing the first baby tooth is on the horizon.  It’s an exciting sign of growing up, but many kids still feel anxious or uncomfortable dealing with the unfamiliar sensation of a loose tooth.  Kidz Connextion wants kids and parents to be prepared and understand why this pain occurs so your child can still have a positive tooth loss experience.

Before a baby tooth is lost, it begins to break free of its nerve endings.  This is the natural process that makes the tooth feel loose and wobbly at the gums, and the area will become swollen and red.  It can be painful, and for kids a great way to soothe tooth pain is applying a cold compress to the outside of the mouth in the affected area.  Children may complain that they find it hard to bite or chew with loose or missing teeth.  It’s still important to keep eating healthy while they grow new teeth so encourage soup, pureed fruits, and cooked vegetables.  A few tales of the tooth fairy can usually ease a little pain, too!

To learn more about tooth loss and the services we provide at the practice, give us a call at 623-223-1001.  Kidz Connextion Dental Care maintains offices around Phoenix.  To find out more, visit our website at Kidzconnextion.com.

Dental Crowns for Children

You may have heard of dental crowns being used for adults, but dental crowns can go a long way in saving a child’s tooth as well. Though baby teeth aren’t in the mouth for long, it’s critical to keep them healthy for the permanent teeth that are to follow. Here at Kidz Connextion, dental crowns can help provide a strong foundation in the mouth to ensure that your child has an optimal function.

When a baby tooth has been exposed to decay, our doctors may recommend restoring the tooth with a stainless steel crown. Although children begin to lose their first tooth around the age of six, losing them early can lead to problems in their oral development. The most common reasons for placing a crown on a baby tooth is to support and protect it until the tooth is ready to fall out naturally. To ensure that your child has a healthy mouth, be sure to help them brush and floss and visit us twice a year for routine check-ups and professional cleanings.

If you have questions or concerns about pediatric dental services, 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.