Pediatric Dentistry -| Las Vegas Childrens Dentist - Your Pediatric Dentist for Kids

Free Consultation

We'll give you a call and set an appointment that's convenient for you.

* Required field. Your privacy is important to us. Privacy Statement

Free Consultation

Archive for the ‘Pediatric Dentistry’ Category

Sep

Awake & Nocturnal Sleep Bruxism; Causes, Symptoms & Treatment for Teeth Grinding & Clenching in Children

Smile Reef

Though they still lack much self-awareness over their own habits, kids may be hyper-aware of how other people behave. Even adults struggle to notice when they start clenching their own jaw when it comes to teeth grinding. It is especially important for parents to make themselves aware of the signs, causes, and treatment since children are more likely to grind their teeth than adults. With this mind, we at Smile Reef would like to discuss teeth grinding.

Awake & Nocturnal Sleep Bruxism

For jaw clenching and grinding teeth, Bruxism is the medical term. At least once a week, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), 36% of preschoolers grind their teeth. If habits don’t change early up to 17% of all children regularly grind their teeth and one-third will carry the habit into adulthood overall. With stress, anxiety, or nervous habits, most people associate teeth clenching and grinding. This also might apply to children surprisingly. Especially in combination with withdrawn behavior while teeth grinding doesn’t seem to cause poor behavior in school, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) says it does share a relationship.

Symptoms of Teeth Clenching & Grinding

It isn’t easy to spot, as bruxism has quite a few symptoms that can be extremely subtle so it takes a well-trained eye to notice. Some children and adults may realize they’re grinding their teeth or clenching their jaw but keep doing it. Some of the symptoms are listed below.
– Trouble sleeping or fear of going to bed due to associating sleep with pain.
– While the child watches TV, reads, studies, or focuses on a task, subtle mouth movements from clenching.
– Especially in the morning, sore or stiff jaw.
– A stiff jaw causing difficulty chewing.
– During tense situations for the child mouth movements, from clenching.
– From tension, frequent headaches and earaches are produced.
– While sleeping, chattering or grinding sounds.

Causes of Teeth Grinding

With each case is unique, we aren’t sure exactly what causes bruxism. Due to misaligned teeth, some children may clench. To ease pain and release endorphins others may pick up the habit while teething. In response to anxiety or nervousness, like nail-biting or picking, kids may also develop the habit as a response. Some kids may also unconsciously grind their teeth while they sleep.

Bruxism Treatment

There can be long-term effects in teen patients like an increased risk for TMJ, jaw problems, migraines, tooth sensitivity, and worn enamel while in not every case is an emergency. A personalized treatment is required since each case of teeth grinding is different. The treatments include the following:
– To address underlying stress therapy or counseling.
– To protect tooth enamel, proactive and defensive sealants.
– For unconscious sleep grinders, nighttime mouth guards.
– To correct alignment issues, braces are used.

Pediatric Dentistry

Bruxism while awake suggests that the child is unknowingly picking up behaviors to manage daily stress, so talk therapy can help tremendously. Like adults, subconscious teeth clenching can be experienced by kids. In order to evaluate the child’s teeth and explore treatment options, a visit to the dentist is necessary, either way. Call Smile Reef and let us assist you.

Aug

How to Tell if Baby or Child is Tongue Tied; Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment of Tongue Tie (Ankyloglossia)

Smile Reef

If you have a child that is growing and developing you want to know that they are reaching the milestones that are set for their age. This might be sleeping well through the night, rolling over, walking and even saying their first word. Nothing is scarier than when you realize that there is a problem and that you need to have some intervention to ensure that your child is able to reach these milestones. There are many things that can be an interference in the progress of your child. One of the things that you might come across is issues with your child’s gums, teeth, mouth and oral health. One of the things that you might have to deal with is called ankyloglossia which means tongue tied. This is an issue that does occur in children that need to be addressed by a pediatric dentist. Smile Reef outlines what you need to know about dealing with tongue tie.

What is Tongue Tie?

The interesting thing about being tongue tied is that it is a small ligament that is attached to the underside of the tongue. Everyone has this attachment but it should be held in a specific place. When you are tongue tied your attachment has reached too far towards the front of the tongue and made it so that you cannot have proper tongue movement.

Tongue Tie Symptoms

There are several symptoms that you can look for to determine if your child is tongue tied. Early on you may realize that your child is not able to latch on for feeding and this can cause trouble with weight gain. As they start to get older they can continue to have trouble trying to eat food correctly. The other issue that is most commonly the reason that a parent will realize that their child has an issue is when they try to start to talk. This can be a problem and can cause the child not to be able to form words correctly. Lastly you may notice that the child is not having a properly developing mouth and jaw. These are all signs that your child might have a tongue tie problem. The best thing you can do is to take them to a pediatric dentist to have them checked.

Ankyloglossia Diagnosis

You want to talk with your pediatric dentist about what might be the problem. They have a series of tests that they can check to see what the issue might be. They will see if your child has proper range of motion from side to side and up and down. They also want to see if they are able to stick out their tongue. Once they determine that they have an issue they can start to layout a treatment plan.

Tongue Tie Surgery & Treatment

The great thing is that this condition often resolves itself. If not, it can be treated with surgery.

Pediatric Dentistry

Smile Reef can help to walk you through your child’s dental work. Call us today to make your appointment.

Las Vegas Children's Dentist

Most parents and guardians of little children, if not all, are greatly concerned about the growth and development of children's teeth especially in this day and age where almost any food available in groceries and restaurants are loaded with sugar and or sucrose which greatly contribute to the formation of cavities, eventually resulting to tooth decay. From the time that the first set of baby teeth comes out, pediatric dentists would already heavily advise parents to start a religious and proper care routine of their children's teeth to ensure that the proper development of these important part of a child's mouth are done with the right techniques and required consistency. Caring for baby and children's teeth takes a lot of effort since children are not expected to care for their own set due to their limitations in capacity and information. That is why until children reach the stage where they are capable to care for their own teeth comes, the weight of the call rests on the shoulders of the parents. It is for this reason that proper oral care for children begins with choosing the right dental office which houses the best pediatric dentists who will be the partner of parents in ensuring that their children's oral care are safeguarded. Las Vegas Children's Dentist is a dynamic and vibrant supporter in the campaign against early onset of tooth decay in children's teeth. Certified and competent, this Dentist for kids in Las Vegas, very carefully and thoroughly instruct and teach good oral care to parents and children. This dentist follows the best practices in worldwide standards and features state of the art dental equipment that allows not only for the best oral care of each patient but also creating an environment that is friendly and accommodating to kids and children who frequent this pediatric dentist office in Las Vegas.

To begin early oral care for babies, a competent and friendly Las Vegas dentist from a reputable pediatric dentist office will advise that even before the eruption of the teeth, a child's mouth and gums should be wiped after meals with a clean, soft damp cloth to make sure that excess food would not linger in the mouth. These excess foods when left in a moist area like the mouth would form bacteria which would eventually get lodged in the baby's first set of teeth triggering the beginning of tooth decay. A meticulous and caring kids dentist in Las Vegas would also advise that to prevent the onset of pre-mature cavities, it is best to give babies plain water when sipping at bedtime to prevent baby formula - which sometimes contain sugar - from settling in the mouth which also invites cavity formation. Once the first set of baby teeth comes out, the practice of brushing should also commence, normally beginning with soft bristled baby toothbrush combined with a non-fluoride toothpaste or even just plain warm water to gently clean every part of the emerging teeth. A licensed Las Vegas children's dentist is a strong support in making sure that these early oral care regimens are done by the parents regularly to avoid unnecessary formation of tooth decay that could prove to be costly to take away using dental procedures. Children's dentist in Las Vegas recommends that children's toothbrushes should be replaced every two to three months taking special note of the appearance of the head bristles to make sure that they still serve their purpose of thoroughly cleaning the teeth. There are several pediatric dentist in Las Vegas so one must be very careful to choose the best, and the best pediatric dental clinic must not only be concerned about treatment but more so on prevention methods. So far Las Vegas pediatric dentistry is a cut above all other pediatric clinics because of its practices on preventative measures that do away with costly teeth drilling and fillings.

Children develop their baby teeth as preparatory ground for the eruption of the final adult teeth which they would use for the rest of their lives. Many parents feel that since baby teeth would still be replaced, they could be more relaxed in spearheading for their children's oral care. But this is very far from the truth since the condition and health of the baby teeth would also greatly determine the condition and health of the permanent teeth. Parents are advised that the first visit of their children to the dentist should happen when babies are 12 months old and prior coaching such as open your mouth or saying 'ahhh' must be done to avoid too much time on the dental chair which might be very scary for some kids. Dental patients could rest assured that reputable pediatric dentist in Las Vegas would be more concerned with prevention but would also be very competent when treatment is necessary. A parent could expect that a children's dentist in Las Vegas is well trained in handling children especially the first timers who might have reservations in seeing a dentist for the first time let alone open their mouth for a stranger. But the first visits to the dentist are crucial because those are the times when good oral plan is discussed aside from giving out the message to the children that dentists are friends not enemies to increase their trust and confidence with them. A well trained dentist for kids in Las Vegas would also discuss the availability of important pediatric care such as the application of fluoride and sealants that help protect baby teeth from plaque and cavities. The substance fluoride help make the teeth stronger by protecting them from the initiation of dental caries and tooth decay while at the same time re-mineralizing areas of the teeth that get weakened by acid coming from leftover food or juices which the children consume.

Las Vegas pediatric dentistry is known as one of the best pediatric dentistry all over the United States which practices not only the best dental techniques using state of the art equipment, a Las Vegas dentist also has the best techniques and rapport with children patients giving them a wonderful experience inside the clinic that helps ensure repeat comebacks for consistent and thorough oral care. Las Vegas pediatric patients could expect that as they step inside a Las Vegas pediatric dentist office they would experience the best pre and post care evaluations not to mention above standard procedures including the application of necessary treatments that are non-threatening, very friendly and truly professional. Las Vegas pediatric dentistry is unchallenged when it comes to everything that makes oral care for children fantastic and something to look forward to and having children as clients that speaks highly of the credibility and expertise that a kids dentist in Las Vegas has to showcase and bring to the table. So next time you are in great need of an expert in oral care for you and especially for your young children - including those cute toddlers- consider pediatric dentistry in Las Vegas and you might not go anywhere else after trying its services. With the rising cost of dental care each year, wouldn't you want every dime you spent on it to be truly worth it? And wouldn't you want to see those beautiful and sparkly teeth on your children as they flash you their beautiful smiles? All of these and more could be yours by just visiting a reputable Las Vegas pediatric dental clinic. Check your directory for assistance or better yet take the word of our loyal customers who have given their generous testimonials of how happy and satisfied they are with our services. We assure you that you will have the best oral care on our hands and we will ensure that your children's teeth are not only taken cared of, they will also pass on the legacy of consistent and excellent oral care with their children and their children's children.

The Las Vegas Dentist Office

One of the best kid friendly dental offices you will find in the state of Nevada is the Las Vegas Pediatric Dentist Office. It's got the best ways and practices of making sure pediatric patients are well taken cared of and assured of warm, non-threatening dental procedures that help them ease up and become comfortable in this environment. Many parents regard a beautiful pediatric dental experience as part of the success why children stick to proper oral acre and why they regards a dental visit as an exciting adventure rather than a traumatic one. The Las Vegas pediatric dentistry is one of the top pediatric dental practices not only in the whole State but could also be compared, if not above, other dental pediatric practices in the United States. Parents coming from other nearby States bring their children to experience pediatric dentistry in Las Vegas because of its very popular kid-friendly atmosphere that children would sometimes forget they are inside a dental office. Parents love that their children are having a great time while having their excellent oral check up or procedures and children enjoy because it's like going to the zoo or the park where the environment is fun and lively and not scary at all. From themed rooms with matching themed cups and bibs, the pediatric dentist office in Las Vegas is a must see and must experience for all children. The pediatric dentists are well trained and well equipped to handle pediatric patients but the thing that endears all of them to their kid patients is the way they make cleaning teeth an exciting and fun thing to do rather than a boring chore that must be done regularly. And if dental procedures are needed such as drillings and putting of sealants, the expertise of a Las Vegas Dentist would surpass everyone's expectations including adults and parents who often have had traumatic experiences inside a dental office. So come now and visit us and see and feel the difference or better yet let your children tell you the difference with their exciting dental experience Truly it is like not going to the dentists at all!