Teach Your Child Good Oral Hygiene Habits

By Drs Lawitts

March 28, 2018

Category: Oral Health

Tags: oral hygiene pediatric dentistry

From taking their first steps to learning how to drive, your child depends on you as their parent to teach them almost everything they know. This means that instilling good habits in your child is a vital part of their upbringing. Teaching your child good oral hygiene habits now is a vital part of them having good dental health later in life. Find out more about the best oral hygiene routine for your child with Dr. Karen Lawitts in Syracuse, NY.

What does a good oral hygiene routine consist of?
Good daily oral hygiene is an important weapon in your arsenal against teeth decay and gum disease at any age. A strong dental care routine should consist of brushing at least twice a day and flossing once a day, according to the American Dental Association. Brush for at least two minutes and floss between every tooth and under the gum tissues, including the back side of your last molar. Though it is not necessary, if you choose to use mouthwash, do not rinse with water after you swish with the solution. This gives the mouthwash time to work and fight any leftover bacteria in the mouth.

When should my child see the dentist for the first time?
Your child’s early dental experiences help fight against dental anxiety later on in life, making regular examinations and cleanings from a young age crucial to good oral health. Seeing the dentist for the first time within six months of getting their first tooth or by their first birthday can help children build a solid relationship with their dentist and help them feel comfortable in the dentist’s chair. Early visits also give their dentist a chance to ensure that the child’s dental growth and development is on track.

Pediatric Dental Examinations and Cleanings in Syracuse, NY
Pediatric dental appointments help keep your child’s teeth clean and healthy and set the standard for a lifetime good oral hygiene. For more information on teaching your child good oral hygiene habits, please contact Dr. Karen Lawitts in Syracuse, NY. Call (315) 492-8138 to schedule your appointment with your child’s dentist today!

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3 Reasons for Why It's a Smart Move to Invest in Dental Implants

By Drs Lawitts

March 24, 2018

Category: Dental Procedures

Tags: dental implants

3ReasonsforWhyItsaSmartMovetoInvestinDentalImplants

When it comes to replacing a missing tooth, you have several options, including a removable partial denture or a fixed bridge. But the premier choice is “the new kid on the block” at just over thirty years old: dental implants. Implants are by far the most popular tooth replacement choice among both patients and dentists.

But they also happen to be the most expensive option, at least initially. So the question is, why invest in dental implants over less costly choices?

Here are 3 reasons why implants could be well worth their price.

More Like a real tooth than other restorations. Implants can match the life-like appearance of any other replacement choice, often utilizing the same types of materials. But where they really excel is in function—how they perform while biting and chewing. This is because the dental implant’s titanium post imbedded in the jawbone replaces the tooth root. No other dental restoration can do that—or perform better when comparing the resulting functionality.

Best long-term solution. As we mentioned before, the initial implant cost is typically higher than either dentures or bridges. But you should also consider their durability compared to other choices. It could be potentially much longer—possibly decades. This is because the titanium post creates an ultra-strong hold in the jawbone as bone cells naturally grow and adhere to this particular metal. The resulting hold can withstand the daily forces generated during eating and chewing. With proper care they might even last a lifetime, and actually cost you less in the long run over other choices.

Adaptable to other types of restoration. Implants have greater uses other than as individual tooth replacements. A few strategically placed implants can also be used to support removable dentures or a fixed bridge for multiple teeth or an entire dental arch. As the technology continues to advance, implants are helping to make other restoration options stronger, more stable and longer lasting—and adding more value to your investment.

If you would like more information on dental implants, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Dental Implants 101.”

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Be Wary When Considering Botox Treatment for TMD

By Drs Lawitts

March 16, 2018

Category: Dental Procedures

Tags: tmd tmj disorders

BeWaryWhenConsideringBotoxTreatmentforTMD

If you’ve suffered from problems with your jaw joints, known collectively as temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), then you know how uncomfortable and painful they can be. You may also have heard about the use of Botox injections to ease TMD discomfort.

Before you seek out Botox treatment for TMD, though, you should consider the current research on the matter. Far from a “miracle” treatment, the dental profession is still undecided on the effects of Botox to relieve TMD pain symptoms — and there are other risks to weigh as well.

Botox is an injectable drug with a poisonous substance called botulinum toxin type A derived from clostridium botulinum, a bacterium that causes muscle paralysis. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved small dose use for some medical and cosmetic procedures, like wrinkle augmentation. The idea behind its use for TMD is to relax the muscles connected to the joint by paralyzing them and thus relieve pain.

The FDA hasn’t yet approved Botox for TMD treatment, although there’s been some use for this purpose. There remain concerns about its effectiveness and possible complications. In the first place, Botox only relieves symptoms — it doesn’t address the underlying cause of the discomfort. Even in this regard, a number of research studies seem to indicate Botox has no appreciable effect on pain relief.

As to side effects or other complications, Botox injections have been known to cause pain in some cases rather than relieve it, as with some patients developing chronic headaches after treatment. A few may build up resistance to the toxin, so that increasingly higher dosages are needed to achieve the same effect from lower dosages. And, yes, Botox is a temporary measure that must be repeated to continue its effect, which could lead to permanent paralyzing effects on the facial muscles and cause muscle atrophy (wasting away) and even deformity.

It may be more prudent to stick with conventional approaches that have well-documented benefits: a diet of easier to chew foods; cold and heat applications; physical therapy and exercises; pain-relief medications and muscle relaxers; and appliances to help control grinding habits. Although these can take time to produce significant relief, the relief may be longer lasting without undesirable side effects.

If you would like more information on treatments for TMD including Botox injections, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation.

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A Child's Teeth Grinding is Normal - But You Should Still Keep an Eye on it

By Drs Lawitts

March 08, 2018

Category: Oral Health

Tags: oral health pediatric dentistry

AChildsTeethGrindingisNormal-ButYouShouldStillKeepanEyeonit

When you're first startled awake in the middle of the night by a loud, gritting sound emanating from your child's room, you may have two questions: how can such a loud racket not be harmful to their teeth? And, how can they sleep through it?

While it sounds earth-shattering, teeth grinding (medically known as bruxism) is a common habit among children. It involves an involuntary grinding, clenching or rubbing of the teeth together, either during the day or during night sleep.

While certain medications or conditions could be factors, it's believed most teeth grinding arises from the immaturity of the part of the neuromuscular system that controls chewing. It's believed to trigger a night episode as the child moves from deeper to lighter stages of sleep toward waking. Older children and adults typically handle these sudden shifts without incident, but a young child's under-developed chewing response may react with grinding.

If a child's teeth are normal and healthy, teeth-grinding typically won't create any lasting damage. But because grinding does generate pressures greater than the teeth normally encounter, it can be harmful to decayed teeth or those with enamel erosion due to high acid from consumption of sports and soda drinks. And it's also a cause for concern if the habit continues into later childhood or adolescence.

To avoid these problems, it's best to keep your child's teeth as healthy as possible by practicing daily brushing and flossing, and regularly seeing a dentist for cleanings, treatments and preventive measures like topical fluoride or sealants. And be sure to limit sugar and acidic foods and drinks in their diet to protect against decay and erosion.

You can also take steps to minimize teeth grinding and its effects. Consult with your physician about any medications they're taking that might contribute to the habit. If there are psychological issues at play, seek therapy to help your child better manage their stress. Your dentist can also fashion a custom night guard worn while they sleep that will prevent their teeth from making solid contact during grinding episodes.

Most importantly, let your dentist know if your child grinds their teeth. Keeping an eye on this potentially harmful habit will help lead to appropriate actions when the time comes.

If you would like more information on teeth grinding, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “When Children Grind Their Teeth: Is the Habit of 'Bruxism' Harmful?”

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Posts for: March, 2018

Teach Your Child Good Oral Hygiene Habits

3 Reasons for Why It's a Smart Move to Invest in Dental Implants

Be Wary When Considering Botox Treatment for TMD

A Child's Teeth Grinding is Normal - But You Should Still Keep an Eye on it

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Dr. Karen Lawitts

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	Dr. Karen Lawitts
	Dr. Lawitts was born and raised in Syracuse, NY. She received her Bachelor of Science and D.D.S degree from Northwestern University in Chicago.

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