4 Risk Factors of Childhood Gum Disease

Have you ever had something caught in your teeth for days, lodged deep in your gums? This is pretty common for kids as their teeth shift with their growing jaw. That gum tissue is what keeps our chompers in place.

There are three stages of gum disease and all are treatable. The mild, and most common, form of gum disease found in kids is Gingivitis [Stage 1]. This is where plaque builds up. The gums become swollen, tender, and likely to bleed especially while brushing. [Stage 2] With periodontitis the gum tissue starts deteriorating, pulling away from the teeth to form pockets around tooth roots. This leaves teeth exposed and highly susceptible to decay. Finally, while this is very rare for younger children, late aged teens can be affected by [Stage 3] advanced periodontitis. Tooth pockets get deeper as the severe gum recession leads to bone loss causing loose teeth.

Common Risk Factors of Periodontal Disease

• Genetics – it’s hereditary and some kids are just unlucky! Before blaming yourself (or your parents), know that having a good oral hygiene routine with regular dental visits can help your child’s smile stay healthy.
• Health – medical conditions like diabetes and Crohn’s disease, as well as lowered immunity from illnesses can also affect gum tissue. Be sure to keep us in the loop of any new diagnosis on their health.
• Bad Habits – not brushing or flossing daily are the most common culprits in kids of all ages. Substance abuse and a diet lacking in vitamin C can also impact their smile; however, this is most common in adults.
• Stress – even kids experience different levels of stress. While it can show up as a change in eating habits, headaches and sleep issues, keep an eye on their hygiene habits. Anxiety can also lower their immune system from effectively fighting off bacteria that causes gingivitis (stage 1).

When to Seek Help

Bring your child for a dental exam if they’re experiencing any of these common red flags of gum disease:

• Bleeding gums
• Swollen or tender gums
• Gums look bright red
• Adult teeth wiggle

There’s no home remedy to cure gum disease, and it must be under control before starting braces treatment.

Dr. Pedro Alquizar

Miami Orthodontist Group

Phone: (305) 279-3968

9125 SW 87th Ave.
Miami, FL 33176

3 Quick Tips to Keeping Your Invisalign Trays CLEAR

Invisalign is a wonderful treatment for adults looking to straighten their teeth without drawing unwanted attention like traditional metal braces do. They’re removable so you can continue enjoying your favorite foods, no risk of getting poked from rogue wires, and with computerized treatment you can see expected results with each aligner change.

With all of the benefits, a common question we get after treatment starts is “how do I keep my aligners clean?” There’s the Invisalign Cleaning System, but considering the aligners are changed so frequently, a little TLC can help you that avoid purchase.

1. Floss and Then Brush Your Teeth: Before popping in your new trays, floss before brushing your teeth. Start the new set off on clean chompers. This is an important step as it also protects your teeth from marinating in bacteria and acid from a dirty mouth.
2. Rinse: Rinse your aligners through water every time you take them out. This will keep saliva and plaque from drying which then creates a bad smell from the breeding bacteria.
3. Soak Your Trays: Using equal parts of warm water and hydrogen peroxide, let your Invisalign trays sit for up to 20 minutes. The hydrogen peroxide will also help kill bacteria. While it may be tempting to use mouthwash, many have dyes that easily discolor the plastic. The alcohol may also damage the aligner.

Invisalign is both an easy and effective for straightening adult teeth. If you have questions about your treatment, or curious to see if Invisalign is right for you, call us today: (305) 279-3968

Dr. Pedro Alquizar

Miami Orthodontist Group

Phone: (305) 279-3968

9125 SW 87th Ave.
Miami, FL 33176

The Benefits of Invisalign for Adults

Since the advent of Invisalign in 1998, the perception of adult orthodontia has majorly shifted. Gone are the days of feeling self-conscious about having a mouth full of wires and snapping bands. For adults and older teen patients, clear aligners offer a visually gentler take on correcting teeth alignment compared to traditional braces. Invisalign are clear teeth trays and offers many benefits from aesthetics and ease of treatment, to every day convenience.

The biggest benefit of Invisalign is as the name suggests, the aligners are nearly invisible. That means people don’t have to know you’re seeing an orthodontist to straighten your teeth… unless you want to share the news. Without wires the social stigma that comes with being an adult wearing metal braces is completely eliminated—thanks technology! You can now feel confident in all social and workplace environments, there’s nothing embarrassing to hide by having your teeth straightened.

Furthermore Invisalign offers the convenience of being able to remove your aligners to accomplish daily tasks. Unlike old metal braces, which can obstruct access to the surface of your teeth, these clear trays are removable making brushing and flossing much easier. This translates into lower rates of periodontitis and calcification of the tooth’s surface during the treatment process because you can brush and floss without hindrance. With traditional braces, patients are barred from sticky foods and chewing gum. Not so with Invisalign as these removable aligners allow you the freedom to eat the foods you love without restriction.

Is Invisalign right for me?

Invisalign is a great option for many patients with mild to moderate orthodontic issues. If you want to straighten your smile discretely with minimal disruption to your daily habits, call today to book a consultation. We’ll see if you are a good candidate together.

Dr. Pedro Alquizar

Miami Orthodontist Group

Phone: (305) 279-3968

9125 SW 87th Ave.
Miami, FL 33176

Palatal Expanders in Adults

One of the most important tools in the orthodontic field is the palatal expander. This oral appliance widens the upper jaw to correct posterior crossbites, teeth crowding, impacted teeth and arch constriction. The expander is secured to the roof of the patient’s mouth, and is turned once a day to every few days to stretch the cartilage and bone of the palate. The process causes a gap in the two front teeth which will close by itself once expansion is complete. The most successful palate expansion occurs in children, before the palate closes in the late teenage years, which raises the question – can adults see benefits with use later in life?

The concept that nonsurgical palate expansion in adults can be successful has been hotly debated in the orthodontic community. Many orthodontists suggest that since the bone of the palate fuses in one’s late-teens, the results of a nonsurgical expander will be less predictable and less pronounced in adults than in children.  Others debate that a palatal expander can, in fact, be an effective method, because an adult palatal expander encourages bone growth which would allow for the palate to widen over time.  In a case study on nonsurgical expansion, 47 adults and 47 children were studied. The results found that the width of the palate increased similarly between the adult and child subjects, and the correction of posterior crossbites was stable and successful after discontinuing treatment. The study concluded that complications were infrequent and minimal, and that nonsurgical palatal expansion in adults is a successful and safe method of correcting certain orthodontic issues.

Many adult patients opt for a surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion (SARPE.) In this two-part procedure, SARPE addresses the transverse dimension changes. This surgery is followed by a second surgery, Le Fort 1, which fixes the vertical and the anterior-posterior changes. The palatal expander is surgically placed in to the mid palatal suture. In this instance, the mid palatal suture is separated in to two parts. The center of the expander is then placed, and the surgeon seals the area. The orthodontist would then complete the procedure by connecting the palatal expander to the patient’s molars.

Whether a non-surgical or surgical palate expander is the suitable solution for you must be considered on a case by case basis and is unique to your individual dental needs.  Call and schedule a consultation to see which you are a candidate for.

Dr. Pedro Alquizar

Miami Orthodontist Group

Phone: (305) 279-3968

9125 SW 87th Ave.
Miami, FL 33176