8/31/09

Pediatric Dentist San Diego

To ensure your child's smile lasts a lifetime, it's important to instill good dental hygiene habits in them from a very young age. But it's not always easy to get children to adopt a new habit; especially a habit they may consider a chore. The following article offers three suggestions for teaching children proper dental hygiene habits.
Regular Visits To A Pediatric Dentist
A pediatric dentist can be an invaluable asset when it comes to teaching your child proper dental hygiene habits. A pediatric dentist is required to take an additional two years of training after receiving their Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree. During this time, they learn about the special oral and dental needs of children from infancy through adolescence.
Because a pediatric dentist understands how a child's dental needs differ from that of an adult's, they are better equipped to teach children healthy habits that will last a lifetime. They can explain the importance of good dental hygiene to children in a non-confrontational manner that they can understand, and show them how brushing and flossing can be made fun.
Regular trips to a pediatric dentist will also help your child feel more at ease about going to the dentist, and will encourage continued good habits so they receive positive check-ups. Most dentists recommend children start regular appointments around their first birthday, and begin brushing around age 2 or 3.
Make It Fun
When you've got to do it twice a day... every day... brushing can sometimes seem like a chore. And flossing certainly isn't a walk in the park either; especially for young children. To establish good habits and make these tasks seem less onerous, make it fun!


Manufacturers have quickly caught on to the fact that children don't like to brush their teeth. A quick trip down the oral health isle at the store presents an array of options to make brushing more fun. Colored, glittery toothpaste, character toothbrushes, electric toothbrushes, and rinses that leave colors behind where teeth weren't thoroughly clean can all make brushing seem like more of a game than a chore.
Other ways to liven up your child's toothbrush time are to put on their favorite song and brush to the music, use brushing as a competition between siblings (who has the cleaner teeth?), and reward your child for good habits (like brushing without being reminded and good check-ups at the dentist).
Set An Example
Monkey see, monkey do! A child who sees their parents exhibiting proper dental hygiene habits is more likely to follow suit. Even on those days when it truly does feel like a chore, remind yourself that your kids are watching you.
To really recognize the benefits here, rearrange your routine so that you can brush your teeth while your child brushes theirs. Brushing and flossing together has a three-fold advantage: you can teach your child healthy habits, make it fun for each other, and set a good example.
Dr. Clayton Zeidler writes for the San Jose pediatric dentist specialists at Zeidler Dental Group. As a leading San Jose dentist, they are committed to comprehensive care for the whole family.
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8/30/09

6 Months Braces Article

People who have an imperfect bite or misaligned teeth can have their teeth straightened using several temporary devices. Depending on the type of problem their teeth have, be it a crooked bite, wide gaps or awry teeth, the orthodentist will evaluate a patient's situation and recommend what kind of removable device a set of teeth may need.
One of these useful temporary devices are braces. Braces have been used for decades to solve a host of dental problems, such as crooked teeth, misaligned upper or lower jaws, and even for the treatment of temporomandibular joint conditions, or TMJ. There are a number of people who grow up with a set of teeth that weren't able to develop properly or evenly, upper and lower jaws of dissimilar sizes, and pressure caused by TMJ. With braces, teeth can be aligned to their proper positions, jaws straightened, and beautiful smiles improved.
In the recent years, more and more

kinds of braces have become available to a more discerning public. These have included the standard metal braces with metal wires and brackets, ceramic braces with brackets manufactured from ceramic material, and clear braces custom-designed to be nearly invisible within the mouth. The latter are popular with adults and also go by the name Invisalign.
Another type of braces have hit the market lately. This latest model does away with the lengthy period of time, usually two to four years, that a person needs to wear them on their teeth. People who first encounter the 6 month braces usually react with suspicion and disbelief. How can the long and uncomfortable period necessary to achieve the perfect smile be shortened to a mere 6 months?
Despite speculative responses and skepticism, orthodontists have been quick to defend these new braces. The 6 month braces are installed using the latest techniques and up-to-the-minute technology geared at aligning teeth quickly but in a very safe manner. While they are not to be considered substitutes for comprehensive and thorough orthodontic treatment, people who are in a hurry to get that perfect smile can do so with the 6 month braces.
One of the components used in the 6 month braces are special Nickel Titanium wires. While adults and teenagers alike may worry that the 6 month braces may appear as incongruously as a mouthful of metal, they needn't be overly concerned. The 6 month braces normally come with brackets the same color as teeth. They will hardly be apparent to anyone at all unless actually people look close enough, that a set of teeth are bound in 6 month braces.
Traditional braces usually require the wearer to use clear hard plastic trays to align the teeth. Because the 6 month braces makes use of brackets and wires that are almost invisible, wearers don't need to go through difficult procedures, like taking out clear hard plastic trays before having a meal. And these braces only have to be worn for six months!
Using light force to align teeth gently, the 6 month braces may cause temporary discomfort, such as tightness, which can be eased by over-the-counter pain relievers. Because they use only minimal force and are in place for only half a year, the 6 month braces do not damage teeth or gums in any way. They also cost considerably less than traditional braces, which can normally set the wearer back over $5,000 or more.
Cosmeticdentistryguide.co.uk has a wealth of information about oral health and the importance of dental floss. Learn more about the 6 month braces and accelerated orthodontics, visit our website today!

Sleep Apnea Oral Appliance

Are you suffering from sleep apnea? Do you know that sleep apnea dental appliance can mitigate or eliminate the effects of sleep apnea? In this article we are going to see a brief overview of some regularly used appliances.
Can Sleep Apnea Dental Appliance Reduce Sleep Apnea
What causes sleep apnea? There are a few reasons that may give rise to sleep apnea: 1. the muscles in the throat relaxes too much and significantly narrows the airway. 2. The air passage and the normal flow of breathing may be disturbed when the tongue collapses, or folds back, thereby shutting off the breathing. This is considered to be a severe condition which may affect important organs like the brain and heart. What should be done? Oral appliances have been used to provide positive results in sleep apnea patients due to their effectiveness in treating spleep apnea by controlling the movement of the tongue or by repositioning the lower jaw to allow the airways to stay open. Sometimes, what a patient need is a sleep apnea dental appliance to help their sleep apnea symptoms, but most cases, they are used together with a Continuous Positive Air Pressure (CPAP) machine. To decide if a sleep apnea dental appliance is suitable for you, both your medical doctor and your dentist should jointly study your condition. However, it's paramount that you opt for a dentist that has experience in fitting these oral appliances. Not every dentist knows how, and bear in mind that a poorly fitted appliance may cause other problems.
Different Types Of Oral Appliances
It may be difficult for you to believe that there are over forty different types of sleep apnea dental appliance available to help sleep apnea symptoms. However when you consult your dentist he may tell you these aids fall into two general categories, this will definitely make your selection faster and easier. What are the categories? There are based on how they work or by their specific design.
Tongue retaining appliances and mandibular repositioning appliances are the two most widely used sleep apnea dental appliance. You are going to have the basic idea of how they work because their names are descriptive. How a tongue retaining appliance works is a retainer holds the tongue in a forward position, which prevents the back of the tongue from collapsing during sleep. The next device places the lower jaw in a protruded position to maintain the airway open at all time. Success rate in treating sleep apnea patients with both of these oral appliances have been promising.
How To Identify the Right Dentist
Don't just simply go to any dentist, the one that you are going to choose must have specific knowledge in this area. Remember that getting a right sleep apnea dental appliance is so important. Make sure your nasal passages and airways will be thoroughly examined with a diagnostic tool that uses sound waves. Only then the dentist will have the whole picture and consequently the sleep apnea dental appliance can be correctly fitted.
Do you need more information on sleep apnea Make sure you check Suzy Hughes' excellent free report on http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Suzy_Hughes

About Sleep Apnea

Given the fact that obstructive sleep apnea can have devastating health consequences, various solutions have been looked for in the attempt to improve the condition. Thus, companies specialized in oral appliances have come up with a device that can limit the number of episodes of breathing cessation during sleep. The effectiveness of the therapy using the sleep apnea dental appliance has been remarkable as severe conditions were prevented from developing. Less hypertension and lower risks of stroke and heart disease: these are actually the expected results after using the sleep apnea dental appliance. Though most experts recommend such devices for the treatment of the mild and moderate sleep apnea cases, successes have been reputed in severe conditions as well.

A sleep apnea dental appliance is a special mouthpiece designed by the dentist to match the structure of both teeth and jaws; its main function is that of preventing the collapse of the airways and the creation of an insufficient airflow towards the lungs. The sleep apnea dental appliance pulls the tongue and the jaw forward so that the airway remains open all the time, thus ensuring proper sleep and very few awakenings, if any at all. Before the use of such a device proper medical investigations need to be conducted both with the physician and the dentist.
There are several things you should expect from a sleep apnea dental appliance; first of all depending on its complexity and the materials used, the price can range from $50 to $2,000. The most important feature to be looked for in a sleep apnea dental appliance is the comfort; if you have a device custom-made for you, then you are sure quality materials will be the guarantee of a good night's rest. Though price can influence one's choice, it is good to remember that the cheaper the materials, the less comfortable the sleep apnea appliance.
One more thing you should expect from a good sleep apnea dental appliance is the mobility of the device. The problem with the products that you purchase over the counter is that they only have one size and, therefore they will not fit all. However, if the device is custom-made, then the adjustment of the sleep apnea dental appliance is also possible for the most appropriate jaw and tongue position. Certain appliances even allow for side to side and vertical motion, which is great in terms of comfort and the prevention of any jaw health problems.
Steve Hill is a webmaster from Birmingham, he has interests in a number of websites including:
stuttering
stuttering therapy
sleep apnea

Cure Chronic TMJ

Are you experiencing constant headache, ear pain and pressure in your jaw joint and muscles? Do you have grinding sound and discomforts whenever you open and close your mouth? These are some of the annoying symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder also known as TMJ. It is a dysfunction in the jaw joint and muscles that causes pain and discomforts. Some people have this disorder occasionally but others are experiencing long term symptoms. In this case it is important, to know how to cure chronic TMJ.

Although TMJ symptoms do not indicate serious health problems, it is essential to find a cure to relieve the discomforts. Here are some tips to cure chronic TMJ:
Medications are common cure for chronic TMJ. Of course it is best to ask your health provider which medicine will work best for your condition. In most cases pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed. The downside of drugs is that prolong use of medications may lead to addiction and other side effects like liver damage.
Another common cure for chronic TMJ is physical therapy. Jaw exercises and relaxation techniques are very helpful to ease the pain of TMJ. A physical therapist can help you with exercises techniques and if necessary electrical stimulation may be applied to relax the jaw and cure TMJ pain.
Natural remedies are also another method to cure chronic TMJ. Alternative cures are gaining popularity because they are inexpensive and effective to cure some health problems. Conservative cure and treatments are the best option in dealing with TMJ and aggressive treatments must be the last option.
If you want to know how to cure chronic TMJ using natural remedies visit Natural Methods to Eliminate TMJ
To know more about beauty and health natural remedies visit Great Discovery-Health and Beauty
Gerry Restrivera writes informative articles on various subjects including Discover How to Cure Chronic TMJ. You are allowed to publish this article in its entirety provided that author's name, bio and website links must remain intact and included with every reproduction.

8/28/09

Oral Appliance for Apnea San Diego

There are a variety of treatment options which are available to those experiencing OSA (obstructive sleep apnea).

The one which has been receiving the most attention right now is therapy by using an oral appliance fitted by a dentist. This oral appliance or device is much like dental braces for straightening teeth or a mouth guard to help people who grind their teeth while sleeping.

Read More about Oral Appliance for Apnea

Chula Vista Dentist