somerset-dentists

Why Trustworthy Pediatric Sedation Dentistry in Fort Lauderdale is So Valuable

vimal@cobiamarketing.com (Vimal Sampathkumar) — Thu, 06 Jun 2024 20:03:15 GMT

We all know that good oral health is essential for proper development. We teach our kids how to brush and even floss at a young age because we know even though they won’t have these teeth forever, issues can still arise.

When Is Pediatric Sedation Dentistry Necessary?

Seeing the dentist is such a new experience for our young patients, and this can be a source of fear and anxiety. Think about it… as adults, we go in for a cleaning and check-up every six months and many of us still get nervous for that appointment. Think about how scary it must be for little ones who don’t quite know what to expect or what all those tools and machines are for!

This is why pediatric sedation dentistry is so valuable. At Journey Kids Dental, we want to help our patients get past their fears about coming in for a procedure. We want to make sure both parents and kiddos feel comfortable, and we also want to ensure our team can do what we need to do to fix whatever’s going on so life can go back to normal.

Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide — sometimes referred to as “happy gas” — is a completely safe and effective mild sedation technique that we use to help kids get through a challenging procedure or check-up. This is one of the most common agents used in pediatric sedation dentistry because it’s non-invasive (no needles!) and there are no lingering side effects associated with nitrous oxide.

Nitrous oxide is safely administered via a nasal mask. We ask the child to breathe normally, which causes the gas to pass through the lungs. It won’t put your child to sleep; they’ll still be able to hear us and respond to any requests we may have for them. When the procedure is finished, we’ll simply remove the mask and the effects will start wearing off almost instantly.

General Anesthesia

In certain cases, we may want to utilize general anesthesia to put someone “under” for the duration of their treatment. This is a controlled state of unconsciousness that eliminates the ability for the patient to move during a procedure. They won’t be aware of what’s happening and they won’t feel any discomfort, either.

We may suggest this option for some of our patients with special needs, for children who need extensive work done in a single appointment, or for little ones who have extreme fears (to the point where they are unable to cooperate during their appointment). Dr. Olivera has hospital privileges at Broward Health Medical Center, which is where we would perform any procedure that requires general anesthesia.

What sets us apart is the fact that we truly believe in treating children like they’re our own. We create a nurturing and safe environment, instilling confidence and a positive dental experience for years and years to come.

Journey Kids Dental is a kid-friendly practice that relies on both modern technology and the kindest staff in the area! We want to make sure your kids enjoy their time with us and feel inspired to keep their teeth healthy. Our relaxed atmosphere and sedation options mean your family will get taken care of in the best way possible. If you’re looking for pediatric sedation dentistry in Fort Lauderdale, contact us by calling 954-727-9865 or you can simply click here !

Set Your Teen Straight (Stylishly) With Invisalign and GLO Whitening

vimal@cobiamarketing.com (Vimal Sampathkumar) — Thu, 06 Jun 2024 20:03:13 GMT

If it’s time for your teenager to get braces, you’re probably doing all kinds of research, trying to determine which option is best for your child and your family. At Journey Kids Dental, we love recommending Invisalign for teens, and we especially love combining an Invisalign treatment with GLO whitening to make sure they end up with a beautiful smile they feel confident about.

Invisalign for Teens

Just because we’re so used to seeing teenagers with metal braces doesn’t mean it’s the only option! Invisalign is perfect for people who want a straighter smile without having to draw a lot of attention to themselves. This can describe both adults AND teens!

In addition to being more inconspicuous, another reason to choose Invisalign for teens is the convenience factor. It can be difficult to get your teen to follow guidelines. Invisalign doesn’t require them to avoid certain foods, brush a particular way, or avoid certain activities (like contact sports).

Another perk is the fact that Invisalign often does the job faster than metal braces; you’re typically looking at 8-18 months versus 24 months for traditional braces. Invisalign also requires fewer checkups, which saves you time and money. For most people, the price ends up being about the same, but of course, every case is unique. Our team is always more than happy to give you a cost breakdown so you can make an informed decision.

Next Comes GLO Whitening!

Once your teenager has a nice, straight smile, it’s time to kick things up a notch with GLO whitening! GLO stands for Guided Light Optics, and it combines combines mild heat and light technology to get more lasting results than other whitening treatments or products on the market. We love to recommend this after an Invisalign treatment because it really helps teens to get the smile of their dreams. It’s that little extra boost of confidence they need to walk away from the experience feeling positive and relieved they went through with it.

The whitening treatment is delivered via a mouthpiece that your teen will wear for about thirty minutes in the office. The mouthpiece has a patented blue light that activates the whitening gel and makes it work super fast. No follow-up appointments needed, and no sensitivity to worry about at all.

A Confident Smile For Your Teen

We strongly feel that Invisalign for teens is the way to go, however, we’re always happy to discuss all of the options that are available. Every person and every mouth is different! At the end of the day, we just want to make sure your child has a healthy smile that they feel confident about. It’s a gift that will truly last them a lifetime.
Journey Kids Dental is a kid and teen-friendly practice that is passionate about healthy smiles! If you want to learn more about Invisalign for teens or you’re looking for pediatric dentist in Fort Lauderdale, we’d love to hear from you! You can contact us by calling 954-727-9865 or you can simply click here !

What Parents Should Know About Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

vimal@cobiamarketing.com (Vimal Sampathkumar) — Thu, 06 Jun 2024 20:03:11 GMT

It’s a common misconception that caring for your little one’s baby teeth isn’t as important because they’re going to eventually lose them anyway. I love to educate parents (and children) about the importance of proper oral health, even for the youngest patients! This starts with understanding baby bottle tooth decay… and how to avoid it.

Do Baby Bottles Cause Tooth Decay?

The short answer is YES. Baby bottles can cause tooth decay. However, that’s not the whole story. Baby bottle tooth decay happens when your child’s teeth are exposed long-term to liquids containing sugar, such as milk, juice, and formula. Most of the time, we see this when parents or other caregivers allow children to take their bottles with them when they go to sleep. It is so easy for them to fall asleep with the nipple of the bottle in their mouth, which allows that sugar to sit on the teeth for long periods of time.

In addition to taking away their bottle at bedtime, you should do your best to wean them off of the bottle by the age of one. Bottle feeding is quite slow, and the more time it takes for them to drink, the more time the liquid is spending on their teeth. You can transition them to a sippy cup as soon as you feel they are ready. There are a lot of “transition” style sippy cups out there specifically meant for babies who are just starting to move on from a bottle.

In addition to these things, be sure to regularly clean your baby’s teeth and gums with a clean, damp washcloth. Also, avoid sharing eating utensils with your child. Your saliva can actually cause tooth decay in your child. Oh, and don’t forget to schedule them an appointment for a professional cleaning! Their first visit with us should be around their first birthday, or within six months after the first tooth erupts… whichever comes first.

Can Sippy Cups Hurt My Child’s Teeth?

Yes. Just like baby bottles, sippy cups can lead to tooth decay. It is important to keep this in mind as your little one makes the switch from bottle to sippy cup around the age of one (or even earlier, if possible). Look for a plastic spill-proof cup with a spout. These look and act a lot like bottles, so your little one should be able to use it fairly easily. If the first style you try doesn’t work out, try something else. Don’t give up!

Dangers of Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

If you think your kiddo has baby bottle tooth decay, please give us a call and set up an appointment. It is SO important to have their teeth examined by a professional. If left untreated, this early tooth decay can lead to pain, infection, future poor eating habits, speech problems, crooked teeth and even damaged adult teeth. The worst case scenario is that the tooth or teeth may need to be extracted. We would love to have you visit us before the situation gets to that point.
At Journey Kids Dental , we see kids of all ages and we know everything there is to know about keeping their smiles looking great! If you have questions about tooth decay or anything else, we are more than happy to chat. Just give us a call at 954-727-9865 or you can click here to send us a message!