Did you know that 45% of kids need dental braces to correct problems with teeth alignment and bite, also known as malocclusion? Some research suggests that this percentage may be even higher due to more subtle problems that can be overlooked. So it stands to reason that if you’re noticing issues with your child’s teeth, you’re probably wondering if your child needs League City dental braces and, if so, when to begin that process. Our League City dentist can answer those questions and more, enabling you to make the right choices for your family’s oral health.
What Are Dental Braces and When Are They Needed?
Dental braces are designed to gradually straighten your child’s teeth through a combination of wires and metal brackets, which our League City pediatric dentist tightens every few weeks, thereby applying the pressure necessary to shift your child’s teeth into their proper position. Our League City pediatric dentist recommends braces for the following issues:
- Crowding
- Overbite
- Underbite
- Missing lateral incisors
- Too much space between teeth
Addressing these issues at a young age can positively impact their overall oral health and wellbeing, as well as give them much-needed confidence during the socially formative years of their development.
Our League City Pediatric Dentist Also Offers Invisalign
If your child has minor to moderate alignment issues, Invisalign is another option offered by our League City family dentist. League City Invisalign is a series of clear, flexible plastic aligners that are worn over the teeth to gradually straighten them, much like dental braces do. Many parents and teens prefer Invisalign because the aligners are virtually invisible and can be removed when eating, drinking, and for special occasions. For more information regarding Invisalign and to see if your child is a good candidate for this treatment, schedule a consultation with our League City dentist.
When Will Our League City Pediatric Dentist Begin Dental Braces Treatment?
The best time to begin any correction of alignment issues–whether with dental braces or Invisalign–is usually once all baby teeth have fallen out and the majority of adult teeth have grown in. This usually occurs between the ages of 8 and 14. Sometimes our League City family dentist will recommend beginning dental braces treatment earlier, especially if the malocclusion is severe, then revisiting a second stage of treatment later, once all adult teeth are present. The right path for your child depends on his/her unique situation and is best determined with a visit to our League City dentist.
Begin Your Child’s Path to a Gorgeous, Straight Smile With Autumn Family Dentistry
Our League City dentist is proud to be the best in family dental care, thanks to our expert medical professionals, state-of-the-art facilities, and a compassionate approach to care that makes children and adults comfortable during their visits. If you’re ready to discuss your child’s orthodontic needs and our recommendation for their individualized treatment plan, schedule your consultation today. We’re confident that you’ll be pleased with our services and your child will gain the self-esteem that a bright, properly-aligned smile can provide.
Everyone wants a whiter, brighter smile, especially for the holidays, but at what age can patients begin League City teeth whitening? Our League City family dentist receives a number of requests from their teenage patients for professional teeth whitening, which is possible in a number of circumstances. Keep reading to learn if your child is a good candidate for teeth whitening for teens.
Our League City Dentist Offers Teeth Whitening for Teens
Teens as young as 13 can receive League City teeth whitening, but there are a number of other factors to consider before making that decision. First, it’s wise to ensure that your child has completed any orthodontic treatments and that all adult teeth have emerged. Baby teeth tend to be more sensitive than adult teeth and the whitening procedure, therefore, can be uncomfortable if performed on baby teeth.
In-Office Teeth Whitening for Teens is Safer and More Effective Than At-Home Options
One trip down the dental care aisle of your local drugstore will show you the sheer number of at-home, do-it-yourself teeth whitening products. While these may seem like viable options, our League City family dentist highly recommends patients steer clear of these potentially dangerous products. These strips and gels not only contain harsh chemicals that are known to cause pain and sensitivity, especially for teens, but they do not offer long-lasting results. Your best bet for safe and successful teeth whitening for teens is a visit to our League City dentist, where we specialize in effective whitening methods performed by dental professionals.
The Process of Teeth Whitening for Teens With Our League City Family Dentist
If your child has decided to undergo professional League City teeth whitening, it begins with a consultation with our League City Dentist, during which we will confirm that your child’s teeth are ready for the procedure, as well as pick the right shade of white they hope to achieve. Then, your teen’s teeth will be polished before the bleaching agent is applied to the teeth’s surface. Once this bleaching agent is activated, it will remain on the teeth until the desired level of whiteness has been reached before it is rinsed thoroughly. Our League City Family Dentist will then ensure there is no lingering sensitivity due to the bleaching agent, as sometimes younger patients experience more sensitivity than adults.
Schedule Your Appointment With Our League City Family Dentist Today!
At Autumn Family Dentistry, we want you and your family to have a whiter, brighter smile for years to come. If your child is interested in League City teeth whitening for teens, call our office to schedule your consultation. Our League City dentist can determine if your teen is a good candidate for teeth whitening and if any other dental procedures may need to be performed first. Our friendly, family-owned office features modern amenities that will make you and your child feel at ease and one step closer to a healthier smile.
Your dental hygiene plays a vital role in your overall health, and regular dental cleanings with our League City dentist are an important step in ensuring your teeth and gums are in good condition. We recommend a League City dental cleaning every six months for all our patients in order to deeply clean the teeth, remove plaque, and identify any issues that may require treatment. Failure to do so on a regular basis could spell trouble down the road, so keep reading to learn why you should never procrastinate in scheduling your family’s dental cleanings.
Why Dental Cleanings With Our League City Family Dentist Are So Important
Our teeth are exposed to a number of different substances that can cause tooth enamel to break down and plaque to build up, both of which may weaken the tooth’s structure. The best weapon for a lifelong healthy smile is prevention, so you and your family should receive a League City dental cleaning every six months, or twice a year. This procedure removes harmful plaque and bacteria from the mouth while also identifying issues like cavities, gum disease, gingivitis, poor alignment, and discoloration. Poor dental health has been linked to a variety of other health issues throughout the body, such as cardiovascular disease, birth defects, and pneumonia. Without regular cleanings and checkups, you could be putting yourself at risk for more than oral health issues.
What to Expect During a Dental Cleaning With Our League City Family Dentist
Dental cleanings are typically performed by a dental hygienist, with a visit from our League City Dentist once the procedure has been completed. Here’s what to expect at your next cleaning:
Oral Examination
With the help of a small mirror to see all your teeth’s surfaces and check for signs of decay or inflammation.
Scaling
Scaling is the process of removing plaque and tartar from the tooth’s surface using a small instrument called a scaler. Plaque and tartar build up over time, so if it’s been a while since your last professional dental cleaning, there may be a significant amount of tartar build-up to remove.
Deep Cleaning and Polishing
Once the scaling process is complete, the hygienist will use a high-powered electric brush fitted with a rubber cup and a gritty toothpaste to deeply clean and polish your teeth. This brush is designed to reach cracks and crevices between teeth that you may miss while brushing at home.
Flossing
Just like at home, flossing is an important step in the League City dental cleaning process. This helps to remove any particles, plaque, or toothpaste left behind.
Fluoride Rinse
Fluoride is sometimes added to the dental cleaning procedure in order to provide added protection against cavities and to strengthen the tooth enamel.
Dental Checkup
Once the hygienist has completed the procedure, our League City Family dentist will examine your teeth and gums for any potential problems and recommend a course of treatment, if needed.
How to Prepare Your Child For a Dental Cleaning With Our League City Pediatric Dentist
Halloween may be over, but the candy amassed from trick-or-treating may still be around for a while longer. And most parents know there are only more sugar-centric celebrations to come this holiday season, which means a dental cleaning with our League City pediatric dentist is more important than ever. If your child is anxious about an upcoming visit, try to put his or her mind at ease by explaining the steps listed above. Once your child knows what to expect, it usually makes the experience less daunting. Be sure to ask our League City pediatric dentist any questions you may have before the dental cleaning procedure begins, and rest easy knowing that our staff prides itself on creating a comfortable and welcoming experience for all, especially our smallest patients.
Call Autumn Dentistry to Schedule Your Next League City Dental Cleaning
Our friendly, modern, and affordable dental office is here for your entire family’s oral health needs. We strive to create an environment that will set you at ease while providing you with cutting-edge dental care. Our League City Dentist can help you achieve and maintain a winning smile, so don’t put off scheduling your dental cleaning and call us today!
The fall season is such a great time to create family memories and traditions, such as pumpkin carving, costume parties, and, of course, trick-or-treating. But considering the sugar content of all that candy can be harmful to your child’s teeth, it’s also a good time to visit our League City family dentist and learn about ways to avoid cavities this Halloween. We all want to keep the traditions alive for our families without having to sacrifice their healthy, beautiful smiles.
Our League City Pediatric Dentist’s Tips to Avoid Cavities
No matter the time of year, proper brushing, flossing, and regular visits to our League City dentist are the best way to avoid cavities. But with the added stress of sugary treats during the month of October, there are some additional suggestions to keep your family’s teeth healthy and strong:
Enjoy Candy and Sugary Snacks in Moderation
It’s hard to avoid the indulgence of candy and other junk food on holidays like Halloween, so if you and your family decide to trick-or-treat and enjoy the neighborhood haul, do so in moderation. Candy isn’t just bad for our teeth, but also our bodies.
Avoid Excessively Sticky or Hard Candy
If you do decide to indulge in candy this Halloween, there are still certain items that should be avoided entirely. Hard candy, if chewed, can crack or chip already weakened teeth, and super-sticky candy can pull existing fillings from teeth. Further, sticky and hard candies are not recommended if your child wears dental braces.
Brush and Floss Immediately After Consuming Candy
The longer sugar sits on our teeth, the more it can eat away at your enamel, which is what can cause cavities. It’s important to brush teeth immediately after consuming sugary items in order to remove sugar from the tooth’s surface and keep it strong and healthy. The same goes for flossing, as candy can easily become lodged in between teeth and create decay.
Use a Fluoridated Mouthwash
After brushing and flossing teeth, a fluoridated mouthwash can not only help clear any remaining debris but also strengthen teeth thanks to the added fluoride.
Maintain Regular Dental Check-ups With Our League City Family Dentist
Twice-yearly visits to our League City dentist are the best way to prevent cavities, as professional cleanings and fluoride treatments strengthen and protect you and your family’s teeth.
Our League City Family Dentist Can Prevent and Treat Cavities
The above suggestions can protect your teeth from decay and hopefully keep cavities at bay, but sometimes our League City dentist still finds cavities that need to be treated. If that’s the case, our team of family-friendly dental professionals will fill your or your child’s cavity in our office by first applying a numbing medicine to the tooth and gums in order to ensure comfort during the procedure. Then, our League City dentists will use a small drill to remove the decay from the tooth before applying the filling, which will protect the tooth and prevent further issues.
Call Our League City Pediatric Dentist to Schedule Your Child’s Checkup Before Halloween
If you want to make sure your child’s teeth are strong and healthy before they indulge in the candy and sugary treats they’re bound to see this Halloween, call us today to schedule an appointment. At Autumn Family Dentistry, we are proud of our commitment to you and your entire family’s oral health. We have convenient locations throughout the area, featuring modern technology and comfortable amenities that make it easy for our patients to maintain a happy, healthy smile.
If the state of their bedrooms is any indication, kids and teens aren’t always the best at keeping things clean, including their teeth. Even if parents do their best to teach proper brushing and flossing techniques, sometimes an intervention is needed from our League City family dentist. Our practice knows that our younger patients might need a little extra help learning proper oral hygiene routines, and this is especially true if they wear dental braces. Our League City dentist has some tips for helping your child master dental braces hygiene and Invisalign hygiene, which will aid in maintaining overall oral health.
Proper League City Dental Braces Hygiene
It’s important for kids to establish healthy routines as early as possible. The sooner they make brushing, flossing, and regular trips to our League City family dentist a part of their established lifestyle, the cleaner their teeth will stay during their dental braces treatment. Here are some tips to help your child along the way:
- Avoid certain foods: our League City dentist recommends that kids with dental braces avoid eating things like popcorn, hard or sticky candy, chips, and gum. They can damage wiring and brackets, requiring an extra trip to our office. Particles from these foods are easily caught in your child’s braces, creating a breeding ground for the type of bacteria that causes tooth decay.
- Brush thoroughly: Not only is it imperative for your child to brush after every meal, but using the right toothbrush will make a world of difference in maintaining dental braces hygiene. An electric toothbrush with angled bristles will remove food particles and plaque around wires and brackets better than a standard flat brush.
- Floss regularly: flossing is now more important for your kids than ever, but it’s also more of a challenge, too. Our League City family dentist recommends using a tool called a dental threader, which makes it easier to thread floss underneath the wire of your child’s braces, and reach the base of the tooth to remove debris and prevent decay.
Proper League City Invisalign Hygiene
Because Invisalign is a treatment that features a series of aligners meant to be removed for eating, brushing, and flossing, proper Invisalign hygiene isn’t much different than for everyone else. Our League City dentist stresses the importance of regular flossing for all patients, but especially those receiving alignment treatments such as League City Invisalign or League City dental braces, as shifting teeth means different cracks and crevices where food particles can easily get trapped. Even patients using Invisalign aligners need to up their flossing game to accommodate their new shifting smile.
Our League City Family Dentist Can Give Your Child a Gorgeous Smile!
If your child or teens needs dental braces or Invisalign, call our office today to schedule an appointment and discuss your options with our League City dentist. We’re dedicated to the highest quality of dental care and will go above and beyond to give your entire family a healthy smile.
