Peak Family Dentistry & Orthodontics Blog

Tips to Prepare Your KID for a Trip to the Dentist.

It is normal for a kid to feel anxious on their trip to the dentist.

Parents play an important role in making a POSITIVE experience for their child’s first dental visit. It is best for the parents to stay calm and keep their cool

Try these tips to help assure a positive experience at their first dental visit.                                                                        

1. Do not over-promise. It is important for the parent to stay positive, but we do not want to give the child false hope. The child can lose trust in the parent and/or doctor if you claim that everything is going to be okay and then your child needs treatment.
2. Role play – let your child play the doctor and let them look at your teeth and then switch roles; counting teeth, flossing, etc…
3. Do not bribe your child. This will reinforce with the patient – that this is a scary incident.
4. Find a dentist that works well with kids. Dr. Campbell enjoys working with kids. He takes every step to make sure your kid is comfortable and he is empathetic to your child’s concerns.
5. Read picture books. This helps your child understand all of the different procedures and your child will have more of an understanding of the upcoming appointment.
6. Use simple language. No discussion of parents horrid dental stories. Minimize terms of shot, needle, etc.
7. Morning appointments are best for children. Do not forget to feed your child before their appointment.

Straightening teeth, while evaluating the health issues related to breathing and sleep, have been combined into a revolutionary treatment that not only straightens teeth without braces with a fraction of orthodontic costs, but addresses many undetected, but critical, sleep issues that we as parents do not realize our children possess. Healthy Start is a more natural way of straightening teeth while addressing health issues such as ADD/ADHD, bed- wetting, allergies, asthma, mouth breathing, etc. These health issues relate to our children’s breathing ability and sleep behaviors.

Painless? Yes, even for the parents. The cost is less than the fee of traditional braces, and many children achieve desired results in about 1/3 the time without relapse when started early! (more…)

Written by Dr. Brandon Campbell, Editor Advisor, Apex360 Magazine

As a dentist, you seek cavities, tooth infections, and gum disease. You are taught to listen to a patient’s chief complaint, but when you’re investigating the problem, are you looking in the right place?

Your first thought when you see tooth wear may be to treat with an occlusal guard. Your first thought for sensitivity is receding gums, exposed dentin, or maybe cavities. In these and other examples, your initial reaction may quickly lead you to fix the initial concern, but is this truly best for the patient in the long term? You may be missing the most important aspect of their chief complaint—their bite!

An occlusion problem is a risk factor that causes a great number of underlying issues. I am going to share two clinical cases that prove for these patients (and others like them) that occlusion is everything. (more…)

This article was written by a patient of Peak Family Dentistry & Orthodontics and originally appeared on Mom.me

The other day at my routine checkup, my dentist pointed out how I must have been sick as a child. I was a little surprised, so he immediately pulled up a photo to show me the spots and lines that had been caused by childhood illness and antibiotics use. As it turns out, there are a number of common things that can damage kids’ teeth, but luckily, most of them are completely avoidable

Here are some suggestions to help you take better care of your kid’s teeth.

1. Be Careful with Fevers

If you’ve ever noticed that someone’s teeth seem to have a white line going straight across them, it’s likely because they had a high fever or an acute infection when they were younger. Dr. Campbell, of Peak Family Dentistry and Orthodontics, points out that the etiology of hypomineralization of the enamel is not fully understood and that there are many studies going on, but some common factors believed to influence it are fever, the use of certain antibiotics (such as amoxicillin, tetracycline and doxycycline taken before the age of 8) during formations stages or having chicken pox between ages 3 and 4.

When children get sick, the theory goes, the body to redirect its resources to fighting the infection, meaning that the enamel temporarily stops forming. While some parents advocate letting kids run a fever as a natural cure, doing so can affect their teeth, so it might be worth reaching for the fever reducer if it goes on for more than a few hours, especially if the child has other factors that might affect their dental development, such as having been born preterm, poor health, systemic conditions, celiac disease, cystic fibrosis or low birth weight. (more…)

2016 is here and many of you have started your New Year’s Resolutions. You may have started ways to lose weight, save money, and more. Your new goals should promote a healthier you; a healthier lifestyle. Why not make one of your New Year’s Resolutions improving your dental health?

Research shows that your mouth is directly linked to the rest of your body. Follow these suggestions below for a brighter healthier smile and healthier you in 2016.

Hydrate

Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Drinking plenty of water will keep your mouth moist and promotes healthy saliva flow. Saliva buffers all of the bad bacteria in your mouth promoting healthy gums and less cavities. Stay away from sugary drinks such as soda, vitamin water, and sports drinks as these will decrease your saliva flow.

Brush and floss regularly

Brushing and flossing your teeth are the first line of defense against oral health complications. Brushing and flossing will help eliminate harmful bacteria from building up on your teeth and causing cavities and gum disease. Brush your teeth at least twice a day for 2 minute intervals. Flossing removes the plaque from between the teeth and below the gums to help prevent gum disease. Invest in an electric toothbrush and/ or waterpik.

Quit smoking and use of all tobacco products

Using tobacco products can lead to yellow-unpleasant teeth, gum recession, bad breath, gum disease and throat, lung and oral cancer. People who smoke are two times more likely to lose their teeth as non-smokers.

See your Dentists for Regular Checkups. 

Seeing your dentist twice a year allows your dental team to monitor your dental health. This allows your dentist to address any areas of concern before they cause discomfort or require more extensive, costly treatment.

Eat a healthy, balanced diet

A poor diet can lead to premature loss of tooth enamel resulting in a weaker tooth structure. Fruits and vegetables are full of valuable antioxidants and nutrients that help your mouth fight off bacteria and infection.

Smile More!