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Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Fluorosis

At Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces, we pride ourselves on quality pediatric dental care. That’s why we are available for any dental concerns you may have. This includes your child developing the condition known as Fluorosis. This occurs when a child encounters high amounts of fluoride, altering the appearance of the teeth. You’ll notice white lines or faint streaks on their teeth. Talk to your pediatric dentist in the Phoenix, AZ, area to learn how much fluoride is appropriate for your child’s age.

Your dentist at Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces is experienced with fluoride. This includes knowledge of how much fluoride is normal and what you can do to prevent fluorosis.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for children ranging from newborn to three-years-old. Breastmilk has all the nutritional value needed for a child. This makes it good for their teeth. Only when your infant’s teeth start to come in should you begin brushing. Never use an amount of toothpaste bigger than a grain of rice.

For children between the ages of three and eight-years-old, dentists recommend brushing twice a day. Make sure to monitor your child so that they don’t use more than a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Eating or swallowing fluoride products like toothpaste puts them at risk for fluorosis. You shouldn’t have a child younger than six-years-old use mouthwash for this reason. They may end up swallowing the product.

It’s important to note that developing fluorosis isn’t a death sentence. Fluorosis only happens while the teeth are developing under the gums. Once your child’s teeth fully emerge, the chances disappear. Just remember that fluoride is a mineral that occurs in many sources, from dental products to your drinking water.

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 7th St. and Baseline Rd.


Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Tongue-Tied In Infants

When most people say they are tongue-tied, they are being metaphorical. Many don’t realize that this is an actual condition. Tongue-tied, also known as ankyloglossia, is a condition present at birth. A tongue-tied baby has an abnormally thick or short frenulum, the tissue connecting the tongue’s tip to the floor of the mouth. This interferes with breastfeeding, eating, swallowing, and speaking. If your child is struggling with any of these activities, schedule an appointment with Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces today. We have three offices in the Phoenix, AZ, area.

Prevention is the key to a healthy life. Identifying and treating this medical issue in your infant is incredibly important. The earlier that intervention is provided the less chance for problems to manifest.

You’ll likely notice signs of your baby being tongue-tied right away. It has a direct response to your child’s ability to breastfeed. The most noticeable is problems with them drinking any of the milk supply. Without a properly working tongue, they will take in much less milk than normal. Your child will struggle to thrive, bond, and might even refuse to breastfeed. Physically it leads to problems digesting solids and even sleeping.

The mother experiences a handful of painful circumstances when trying to breastfeed. Their nipples become damaged or chapped, with bleeding even occurring. Many times the nipples end up distorted or blocked too. It’s also uncomfortable having your baby try to latch.

The best course of treatment is removing this abnormal tissue from the mouth. It’s a quick procedure done with a medical laser. It is a very fast procedure and we encourage parents to attend.

Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces is located in three offices in the Phoenix, AZ, area. You can visit our website to learn more about our services. We’re also available for appointments over the phone. Call 623-232-0749 for our N. 75th Ave office, 480-666-5984 for N. 24th St., and 480-405-4714 for 7th St. and Baseline Rd.

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Sippy Cups

It seems like just yesterday you welcomed your child into your lives! Now they’ve graduated from using bottles to sippy cups! Between the ages of 12 to 24 months old, your child should be reaching this milestone. Your dentist at Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces has a few tips for this transitional period. Using an appropriate training cup the right way prepares your child for regular cups down the road. Contact our offices in Phoenix, AZ, to learn more!

The whole point of a sippy cup is that your child learns to sip instead of suck. Avoid buying “no-spill” cups for this reason exactly. What you want is a cup with a removable lid that contains a spout. Cups with valves aren’t any different from bottles. You should also only purchase cups with two handles. This gives your baby more stability and control when drinking. Lastly, a cup with a weighted base that avoids spills.

Like anything new, your baby will need time and patience to master a sippy cup. Be calm and consistent with the sippy cup usage. Many parents find success by starting small, using them while outside the home or between meals. Mealtimes are another great opportunity. You’ll want to start by only having a small amount of liquid in the cups. This minimizes spilling while making it easier to hold. Just be careful about letting your toddler walk around with their sippy cup. This results in oral injuries.

If you need a pediatric dentist or want to learn more helpful tips, contact Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces. Visit our website to learn more about our services. We have three locations in the Phoenix, AZ area. Call 623-232-0749 for our N. 75th Ave office, 480-666-5984 for N. 24th St., and 480-405-4714 for 7th St. and Baseline Rd.

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Dry Mouth in Children

It’s normal to have a parched mouth before you give a big presentation or job interview. It’s only when your mouth is dry all the time that it becomes an issue. This doesn’t differ when it comes to children. If your child complains of constant dryness, contact Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces right away. It’s important that we get to the root of the issue before your child’s dental health is negatively affected. Call any of our three offices in the Phoenix, AZ, area.

Recognizing dry mouth symptoms in your child is key. Look and pay attention to any complaints of a dry tongue, parched throat, cracked lips, and overall staleness. Children are much more sensitive to these symptoms. They also don’t have the same level of communication skills as adults do. That means it’s up to you as the parent to be aware of these things. Keep on the lookout for increased oral pain, higher frequency of tooth decay, and difficulties eating, drinking, and talking.

Your Phoenix, AZ, dentist offers a few reasons your child has dry mouth. The most common are medications and certain autoimmune diseases. Other medical treatments, like chemotherapy, is another option. It’s also possible that it’s just a normal part of the growing process. Even if this is the case, it’s best to have them examined by a dental professional.

If you can figure out the cause, then a remedy is easily available. There are a few things you can do in the meantime to improve the dryness. First, make sure that your child is getting enough water. When your body doesn’t produce enough saliva, dry mouth is the result. The wetter the mouth is the more saliva is produced. You should also minimize how much caffeine your child is ingesting. Sugar is known for drying out the mouth. Lastly, sugarless gum is also a good way to stimulate your child’s salivary glands. Talk to your pediatric dentist about dental products that target dry mouth symptoms. Your child can benefit from specialized toothpaste and mouthwash.

Schedule an appointment with Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces right away. If left untreated, dry mouth leads to cavities and even gum disease. We have three offices in the Phoenix, AZ, area to choose from. Visit our website to learn more! We’re also available for appointments over the phone. Call 623-232-0749 for our N. 75th Ave office, 480-666-5984 for N. 24th St., and 480-405-4714 for 7th St. and Baseline Rd.

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Your Child & Teething

Your child was born with their complete set of primary or baby teeth. Between the ages of 6-12 months, these teeth will start to come in. Your baby's personality may take a turn as the discomfort causes irritability. They might have trouble sleeping at night and you most likely will too! Your local dentist at Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces can answer any concerns or questions you have. Visit any of our convenient locations in the Phoenix, AZ, area.

Teething is a natural and important development process for your child. It’s normal for them to experience loss of appetite, abnormal amounts of drool, irritability, trouble sleeping, and even fussiness. What isn’t normal is rashes, diarrhea, or fevers. You should contact your pediatrician if this occurs. This also applies to worrying levels of irritability.

Your Phoenix dentist recommends using teethers to soothe your child. These should be made of solid rubber, avoid liquid-filled or plastic materials. These can break and injure your child. Always pay attention to the materials. Do your research beforehand to guarantee your infants safety. Never use any sort of homeopathic teething device. For a more hands-on approach, parents may gently rub their child's gums with a cold spoon, a gauze pad, or even a clean finger.

Do not give your child any numbing gels or teething tablets. These have inconsistent results among the FDA. Numbing agents contain a chemical called Benzocaine, which is not recommended for children under the age of two. These have an assortment of risks, including a rare but fatal condition called methemoglobinemia. Reach out to your dentist or pediatrician if your baby continues to struggle with teething.

Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces is located at three locations in Phoenix, AZ. For our N. 75th St. office, call 623-223-1001. To contact N. 24th St., call 480-666-1598. Last but not least, call 480-405-4714 for E. Baseline Rd. You can also visit our website.

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Flossing With Braces

If you thought flossing was difficult before, doing so with braces might seem overwhelming. In reality, flossing with braces is no harder than before. The only difference is that it’s much more important now. Braces create a variety of places for bacteria to grow. Food can get stuck in your braces even when you have the cleanest mouth. Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces have put together this helpful guide for flossing. You can also contact our offices in Phoenix, AZ, to learn more.

It’s recommended that besides brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes, you also floss once a day. This includes when you have braces. To get under the wires, invest in a floss threader. This is a handheld dental application that you loop your floss through. It moves the floss under the wire so you can floss normally. Do this for all of your teeth. Floss picks are also available. This is a small tool with a section of floss between two prongs. They are thin enough to fit under a dental wire.

Correct flossing technique is a necessity. Getting the floss under the wire is difficult, but the actual process of flossing is important. Remove enough floss to comfortably twirl it around each of your middle fingers. Use your floss threader to get the floss into position. Position it around the tooth in a “C” shape. Move the floss up and down to fully clean the gums. Slide the floss to the neighboring tooth and repeat. Do this for all of your teeth.

There are other ways to floss your teeth. Waterpiks are dental tools that spray a stream of water at your teeth. The pressure of the water removes all debris from your braces. They even come with special add-ons for orthodontic devices. Dental tape is another alternative. This is recommended when you didn’t floss regularly before getting your braces. It’s an easier option for sensitive teeth.

Flossing is necessary for a healthy mouth. Don’t neglect this step because of your orthodontic aligners. It’s the only way to truly clean and care for your gums. If you have braces and are in need of dental care, or are considering getting braces, contact Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces. We provide orthodontic services for your entire family. To learn more, visit our website or contact one of our convenient locations in the Phoenix, AZ, area.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

The Benefits Of Breastfeeding For Dental Health

Breastfeeding your newborn child or infant is a very personal decision. Each and every mother makes her own choice whether it is right for her. For those who do breastfeed, it can have a positive impact on both the mother and child's dental health. Studies have shown that it improves your child's bite and reduces the risk of baby bottle tooth decay. Learn more by contacting our dental professionals at Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces. We have three convenient locations in the Phoenix, AZ, area.

If you choose to breastfeed your baby, there are plenty of health benefits. Breast milk heightens their immune system, reducing the risk of infections, asthma, SIDS, and obesity. The mother lowers her chances of developing breast and ovarian cancer.

Several studies have been conducted that noted that babies who were only breastfed for six consecutive months had less dental issues. They reported fewer teeth alignment issues like crossbites, overbites, and open bites. This doesn’t guarantee that your child will naturally have a perfect set of teeth. It’s important for your child to still receive proper dental examinations.

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay is the term for cavities in very young children. Even babies can suffer from cavities. It’s often caused by sugary drinks supplied through bottles. Breastfeeding eliminates the need for sugary drinks like juice, milk, or formula. Again, breastfeeding doesn’t guarantee your child won’t get cavities. Breast milk contains sugar too. A few days after birth, begin washing your baby’s gums with a gauze pad or washcloth. Brushing becomes mandatory once their first tooth emerges.

For breastfeeding mothers, don’t neglect your dental health. Continue to brush and floss every day. Cavity prevention is important for mothers, as cavity-forming bacteria can be transferred from your mouth to your children. It’s also important to stay hydrated when breastfeeding. Dehydration can lead to dry mouth, posing another set of complications. Always check with your dentist or physician when taking medications and breastfeeding. Certain medications might be transferable through your breast milk.

Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces provides family-friendly dental care to everyone in the Phoenix, AZ, area. If you’re expecting or are currently breastfeeding your child, we can answer any questions you may have. Don’t forget to schedule your child’s first dental appointment with us when their teeth come in! Interested in scheduling an appointment? Visit our website to set up your appointment or learn about our different locations.