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Warning! All parents, you are now officially entering the “School Break Zone.” This time of year, of course, brings family gatherings, parties, and treats! It’s hard to turn away from the ooey-gooey treats which is why your Orthodontist wants you to be prepared if an orthodontic emergency happens in your house.

Most importantly, your orthodontist would like you to understand that accidents can happen during orthodontic treatment. When they do happen, it can result in a call or unplanned visit to your orthodontist – this is what you would consider an “emergency visit.”

Many times, your first reaction may be, “it’s not a big deal,” or “I’ll just wait until after the holidays to call.”  Your Orthodontist would like to remind you to make the call–don’t wait. Your orthodontist is your partner in creating a HEALTHY smile. If there is an urgent need during this time–for example if you are in pain, or an injury has occurred–your orthodontist should be notified and you should call for an emergency appointment.

In the meantime, stock up with supplies to help discomfort. Essential items to keep in your medicine cabinet are:

• Orthodontic wax
• Dental floss
• Tweezers
• Interproximal brushes
• Topical anesthetic (such as Orabase or Ora-Gel)
• Over the counter pain relievers (such as one taken for a headache)

Plus, a warm salt water rinse can be soothing, as well. The recommended mixture is 1 tsp. salt to 8 oz. warm water.

Ultimately, an important part of successful orthodontic treatment is communicating with your orthodontist. If an emergency arises, it’s okay. Don’t panic. This hiccup shouldn’t have much of an impact on your overall treatment plan. Given the situation, your AAO orthodontist will work hard to get you back on your treatment plan. Don’t forget, you play an essential role in your treatment. All you have to do is follow your orthodontist’s directions. With holiday fun on the horizon, now is the time to have a plan in place in case you eat too many ooey-gooey treats.

Please do not hesitate to contact our office if you have a dental emergency. Enjoy the holidays.

Orthodontic problems rarely fix themselves. That’s why the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children be screened by an AAO orthodontist at age 7.

By age 7, your child has enough permanent teeth that an orthodontist can spot a problem before it becomes … well, a bigger problem.

Some issues may be obvious – misaligned teeth, an “overbite,” and an underbite or a crossbite – but others can remain undetectable by the untrained eye. Either way, let an orthodontist take a look. In addition to an intraoral exam, orthodontists use panoramic x-rays to check below the surface to look for extra teeth, missing teeth, impacted teeth or teeth coming into the wrong positions.

Early treatment, which occurs while some baby teeth are still present, can guide the growth of facial and jaw bones into a better growth pattern and provide more space for incoming permanent teeth.

Problems that may lend themselves well to early treatment include:

• Underbites – when the lower front teeth are ahead of the upper front teeth
• Crossbites – when the upper teeth are inside of the lowers
• Functional shift – when the jaw shifts to one side as the teeth come together
• Very crowded teeth
• Excessively spaced teeth
• Extra or missing teeth
• Teeth that meet abnormally or don’t meet at all
• Thumb-, finger- or pacifier- sucking that is affecting the teeth or jaw growth

You don’t need to wait for a dentist referral for your child to see an AAO orthodontist. General dentists and orthodontists focus on different aspects of dental health. Orthodontists are specialists in facial development and the bite.

https://www3.aaoinfo.org/blog/when-should-your-child-see-an-orthodontist/

Summer sun brings summer fun. While warm months are perfect for spending time together, summer vacation can also throw off your usual dental routine. Here are three ways to prevent summertime tooth decay

https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/babies-and-kids/3-tips-for-healthy-summer-smiles?utm_source=mouthhealthyorg&utm_medium=mhtopstories&utm_content=summer-smiles