One of the many functions of baby teeth is to hold space for the adult teeth that will eventually push them through. When baby teeth are lost prematurely, the permanent teeth that are coming in on either side can actually drift into the space that was reserved for another tooth. This can cause teeth

Thumb sucking is a common habit that babies develop before they’re born. While most children naturally stop thumb sucking between the ages of two and four, some children might struggle to break the habit. If your child is still thumb sucking around the age of four, it’s important to help them stop. Thumb

As soon as your child’s first tooth has erupted, which generally happens between six months and a year, you will need to schedule their first appointment with a pediatric dentist. The first visit often involves very little treatment. It is more for the child to meet their dentist, for the dentist to

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by the recurrence of interrupted breathing during sleep and results in a chronic lack of deep, restful sleep. When adults have this disorder, they are likely to experience daytime sleepiness, but when it occurs in children, they are more likely to have behavioral

Sometimes, children are too fearful to receive necessary dental treatment. When this happens, conscious sedation with nitrous oxide may be recommended to help make your child’s experience of dental treatment stress-free. Conscious sedation involves medication to help ease tension and block pain during

A baby’s teeth are not visible at birth, but already exist underneath the gums. Children's primary teeth begin forming at about the sixth week of pregnancy, and start mineralizing — building the bonelike inner tooth layer (called dentin) and the super-hard enamel layer that covers it — around the

Metal Braces Traditional metal braces are the most common type of braces, as they correct a variety of orthodontic conditions and are generally the most affordable. Made of high-grade stainless steel, metal braces straighten your teeth using metal brackets and archwires. With metal braces, you have the

It’s always important to maintain great oral hygiene, but it’s especially important with braces, as food and plaque have more places to hide. You should brush and floss at least two times per day for at least two minutes each time. Make sure to cover all surfaces, including the front, back, side,

Clear aligners are a popular alternative to metal braces, and are a great, discrete way to correct minor misalignment of the teeth. Just like traditional braces, clear aligners put a small amount of pressure on the teeth to move them into place. Unlike traditional braces, they are made of a clear and

It’s never too late to achieve your perfect smile, and now more than ever, adults are seeking orthodontic treatment. In fact, approximately 25% of orthodontic patients are adults. Adult orthodontic treatment differs from child and adolescent treatment in a few ways. Since the bone development in adults

Orthodontic treatment can correct jaw and teeth misalignment, and give you an amazing smile in the process. It works by harnessing our body’s natural ability to remodel its own tissue. With application of light, constant force, orthodontic appliances gently reshape bone and move teeth into better positions.

Oral cancer may not be as well known as other forms of cancer, but that doesn’t make it any less dangerous. Oral cancer screenings are vital to detect any precancerous or cancerous conditions in the mouth before they progress to an advanced stage of the disease. An oral cancer screening is a quick

When accidents happen, our oral and maxillofacial surgeons are here to help. Facial trauma refers to any unexpected force to the face that results in any injury to the teeth, bones, or soft-tissue of the face. These injuries can affect vital functions, like breathing through the nose or blinking, and

Blood thinners are a type of medicine that prevents your blood from clotting inside a blood vessel, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. They can also keep blood clots from forming or getting larger. They are typically used to treat certain types of heart disease, heart defects, or other medical

A cleft lip and cleft palate are common birth defects that occur in the very early stages of fetal development. A cleft lip is the separation of the two sides of your child’s upper lip, appearing as a narrow or wide opening that can extend to the roof of the mouth. A cleft palate is a split or opening

Orthognathic surgery, also known as corrective jaw surgery, aims to correct abnormalities of the jawbones in order to realign the jaws and teeth to improve overall function. This surgery can also improve the outside appearance of your face. If you have problems with your jaw that cannot be corrected