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Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Sjorgren's Syndrome

There are certain medical conditions that have a direct impact on your oral health. Sjorgren’s syndrome is one of them. This is a systemic autoimmune condition that targets the tear and salivary glands. Dry mouth is a very common side effect. If you are struggling with a dry mouth or have been diagnosed with Sjorgren’s syndrome, schedule an appointment with Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces today. Your Phoenix, AZ, dentist helps you alleviate your symptoms.

Your entire body is affected when you have Sjorgren’s syndrome. Here is a list of the common oral complications:

-Dry mouth, throat, and lips
-A hoarse or scratchy sounding voice
-Chronic coughing or wheezing
-Problems swallowing
-Swollen salivary glands in the face and neck
-Frequent oral infections or cavities

There is no known cure for this condition. That doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to treat it! The first thing you need to do is get a diagnosis. Set up an appointment with your Phoenix, AZ, dentist. At your appointment, they will examine your salivary glands and flow. They can also help with any of your other symptoms, like cavities.

Treatment is customizable for each patient. You need to talk to your Primary Care Physician or General Practitioner about medication for your immune system. Your dentist focuses just on oral symptoms. The first thing you need to do is increase your salivary production. We recommend Artificial Saliva. This keeps your mouth moist when your body can’t. You can also invest in over-the-counter dry mouth treatments. These are available as both toothpaste and mouthwash.

Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces provide quality pediatric dental care. We have three offices spread across the Phoenix, AZ, area. Visit our website to learn more about our services or schedule an appointment. Call 623-232-0749 for our N. 75th AVe. office, 480-666-5984 for N. 24th St., and 480-405-4714 for E. Baseline Rd.

Wednesday, April 8, 2020

Replacing Your Retainer

Today is the day! Your braces are coming off after all this time. This doesn’t mean that you're done taking care of your teeth though. Your dentist at Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces will provide you with your new retainer. It is up to you to take care of it, helping your teeth stay in their new positions. Eventually, like anything used daily, it’ll need a replacement. That’s when you schedule an appointment at our offices in the Phoenix, AZ, area.

Retainer replacement depends entirely upon you and your retainer. Some patients require a replacement after 2-3 years, or maybe every year! It’s important that you replace it right away if it gets damaged. If it’s broken, it won’t keep your teeth in place. It’s actually doing more harm than good.

Here are a few signs that your retainer needs a replacement:
-Changes color
-Fits odd or feels uncomfortable
-Comes apart or wears away at the joints
-Shows signs of a calcium buildup

Schedule an appointment with your dentist in Phoenix, AZ, right away. They can evaluate your retainer and issue a replacement. Without your retainer, your teeth will shift back into their old positions. It will undo all the work your braces accomplished. Wear your retainer every day for the first six months following the removal of your braces. With the permission of your dentist, you can then transition to wearing it at night.

There are a few general guidelines for keeping your retainer in pristine condition. When you are issued your first retainer, it comes with a case. Always keep your retainer in the case when you aren’t wearing it. This keeps it from getting damaged or lost. When you travel, always place it in the case.

Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces provide quality pediatric dental care. We have three offices spread across the Phoenix, AZ, area. Visit our website to learn more about our services or schedule an appointment. Call 623-232-0749 for our N. 75th Ave. office, 480-666-5984 for N. 24th St., and 480-405-4714 for E. Baseline Rd.


Wednesday, April 1, 2020

Oral Thrush

If you notice strange ulcers in your mouth or a yellow tongue, you might have something known as oral candidiasis. This is more commonly referred to as Thrush. Candida albicans accumulates in an abnormal amount, overwhelming your mouth’s lining. The best thing to do if you or your child experience these symptoms is to schedule an appointment with Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces right away. Located in multiple offices in the Phoenix, AZ, area, we provide family-friendly dental care.

Anyone can develop thrush, though some are more at risk than others. Babies, younger children, older adults, and those with compromised immune systems are very susceptible. The main symptom of thrush is the lesions. These are easily identifiable. These are white almost creamy ulcers on the tongue or cheeks. In some cases, the infection can spread to the gums and roof of the mouth.

The biggest cause of thrush is the lack of good oral hygiene. You need to brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes. This means brushing all your teeth, including the molars! Flossing is also essential, with it being recommended at least once a day. Keeping up to date with your dental appointments is another important habit. You should get professional teeth cleaning every six months.

Thrush is diagnosed through an appointment with your Phoenix, AZ, dentist. They decide after looking at the lesions. There are a few ways to tackle treatment. First, reexamine your dental routine. Make sure you are doing a great job of keeping it clean. You should also make sure you are changing your toothbrush regularly. It’s also recommended that you supplement your diet with more active cultures through foods like yogurt. Lastly, your Phoenix, AZ, dentist may prescribe a short-term antifungal medication to reel in your symptoms.

Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces provide quality pediatric dental care. We have three offices spread across the Phoenix, AZ, area. Visit our website to learn more about our services or schedule an appointment. Call 623-232-0749 for our N. 75th AVe. office, 480-666-5984 for N. 24th St., and 480-405-4714 for E. Baseline Rd.

Saturday, March 28, 2020

Canker Sores

Canker Sores are one of the most dreaded and obnoxious oral problems. Anyone and everyone can get one! These painful little sores make it impossible to eat, drink, and talk without discomfort. If you’re suffering from canker sores, call Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces today. We are located across the Phoenix, AZ, area. While you wait, check out this small guide that we’ve put together.

You might be asking yourself, what exactly is a canker sore? Well, they are small white or yellow sores with a red border. They appear on the soft tissues of the mouth, like your gums or lips. Canker sores come in three separate forms: major, minor, and herpetiform. Minor and major are self-explanatory. Minor sores are small and take about a week to heal. Major sores are much larger, and healing can take up to six weeks. Lastly, herpetiform canker sores appear in clusters of ten to one hundred. Each is about the size of a single pinprick. If you frequently get canker sores, schedule an appointment with your Phoenix, AZ, dentist today.

There are naturalistic and over-the-counter treatment methods for canker sores. This guide discusses both of them, allowing you to decide what is best for your needs.

If you are interested in naturalistic and non-pharmaceutical options, you are in luck. The first option is good old-fashioned ice. Apply ice to the injured area of the face, keeping it on for twenty minutes or so. Patients have also found success in using tea bags. Place the bags directly on the ulcer, keeping it there for an extended period. Lastly, create a salt-water or baking soda rinse. Combine water with either mineral, swishing it gently around your mouth. This cleans and disinfects the sore.

If none of these options seem appealing, there are over-the-counter options. These products focus on numbing the pain. They contain a product called benzocaine that does this. Using the product, you have the chance to drink or eat without discomfort. You can also purchase mouthwash that targets and alleviates canker sore pain.

Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces provide quality pediatric dental care. We have three offices spread across the Phoenix, AZ, area. Visit our website to learn more about our services or schedule an appointment. Call 623-232-0749 for our N. 75th Ave. office, 480-666-5984 for N. 24th St., and 480-405-4714 for E. Baseline Rd.

Thursday, March 19, 2020

Cleft Lip & Palate

There are certain birth defects that your Phoenix, AZ, dentist can help with. This includes Cleft Lip and Palate. This happens when the sides of the lips and the roof of the mouth don’t connect correctly. You’ll notice this right away when your child is born. Contact Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces right away. We can help!

Normally, the tissues and bones of the jaw, nose, and mouth fuse during the first 6-10 weeks in the womb. This then creates the roof of the mouth and upper lip. When this is interrupted, the results are a cleft lip or palate. There are certain risk factors for developing a cleft palate or lip. If the mother suffers from diabetes, smokes or drinks, or doesn’t ingest enough folic acid, the baby is in jeopardy. Certain genetics also make the child vulnerable.

A child can be born with a cleft lip or a cleft palate, sometimes both in certain instances. There is a difference between the two. The cleft lip looks like a small opening near the edge of the lip. More severe cleft lips extend up towards the nose. These can be partial, one-sided, or two-sided. A cleft palate is a disruption in the roof of the mouth. It can appear on one part of the palate or side of the face.

Talk to your dentist right away if you suspect your child has a cleft lip and/or palate. Your dentist examines your child to detect any anomalies. Other signs point to a cleft lip or palate too. Watch to see if your child has any problems speaking or eating, misaligned teeth, or constant ear infections. Your Phoenix, AZ, dentist helps you find the correct type of treatment. Surgical corrections are often performed between the ages of 3-6 months.

Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces are located in three offices in the Phoenix, AZ, area. For N. 75th Avenue, call 623-232-0749. For N. 24th Street, call 480-666-5984. Lastly, for E. Baseline Road, dial 480-405-4714.




Thursday, March 12, 2020

Choosing The Right Pacifier

Pacifiers are a great tool for every parent with a little one. They help when babies are fussy, comforting and calming them. Research even shows that your infant using a pacifier reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). But there are many types of pacifiers available for purchase. How do you know which is best for your child? Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces offers pediatric dental services to patients in the Phoenix, AZ, area. They can help you with any of your questions.

The best way to pick the perfect pacifier is by understanding their differences. Though there are many styles, colors, and materials, pacifiers are sorted by conventional and orthodontic. The difference lies in the shape of the nipple. Orthodontic pacifiers are square with a flat bottom. These imitate the shape of a woman’s breast. Conventional pacifiers have a rounded head that is shaped like a small ball. Talk to your Phoenix, AZ, dentist about which is best for your child. Both are likely to affect your child’s teeth, though orthodontic pacifiers do so significantly less.

There are a few things to keep in mind when purchasing a pacifier. First, examine the design of the pacifier. The ideal pacifier is in one piece, without a liquid interior or any moving parts. The size also needs to match your child’s age. You don’t want a pacifier that is too big or small. Make sure that the shield between the ring and the nipple is at least 1.5 inches wide. This prevents it from being a choking hazard. Lastly, don’t purchase a pacifier that can attach to the baby’s hands or neck. These types endanger your child by putting them at risk of choking.

Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces are located in three offices in the Phoenix, AZ, area. For N. 75th Avenue, call 623-232-0749. For N. 24th Street, call 480-666-5984. Lastly, for E. Baseline Road, dial 480-405-4714. You can also visit our website at https://www.kidzconnextion.com/.

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Children & Toothaches

Baby teeth, by nature, are much weaker than adult teeth. This means that children develop cavities at a much higher rate. These can lead to toothaches along with other dental issues. If your child complains of a toothache, contact Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces in Phoenix, AZ, right away. While you wait for your appointment, there are a few things you can do to help.

Toothaches are commonly caused by tooth decay infiltrating the pulp of the tooth. This area holds all the nerves and blood vessels. An unhealthy diet and improper dental hygiene result in a cavity. Other reasons for tooth pain are sores in the mouth, earaches, tooth eruption, and sinus infections.

The first thing to do is help your child wash out their mouth. Have them swish warm water mixed with a teaspoon of salt. This helps with pain while promoting healing. An icepack can also do the trick. If this doesn’t work, inspect their mouth for them. Check if there is any food or debris trapped by the injured tooth. This could be the cause of the pain. Clean out the area using floss. If that doesn’t work, check to see if the tooth is loose. Any swelling around it could also indicate an infection.

Schedule your child an appointment with your Phoenix, AZ, dentist if the pain does not go away. Pain-relievers will only work for a limited amount of time. The dentist will determine whether there is a cavity, infection, or a chipped or cracked tooth.

Proper dental care is a necessity. Make sure your child is brushing the appropriate amount each day. A balanced diet is also helpful. An abundance of sugar is a guaranteed cavity. Try going for healthier snacks and alternatives.

Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces are located in three offices in the Phoenix, AZ, area. For N. 75th Avenue, call 623-232-0749. For N. 24th Street, call 480-666-5984. Lastly, for E. Baseline Road, dial 480-405-4714. You can also visit our website at https://www.kidzconnextion.com/.