Fun fact Friday with Drs. Planells, Sanchez and Cortez!

At Pediatric Dental Specialists, we know our patients love fun facts. The American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, has come up with some fun facts about orthodontics that our team and Drs. Cortez, Planells and Sanchez thought you might enjoy.

• There are nearly 4 million people in orthodontic treatment throughout the United States. Three out of four are younger than 18.

• The first mechanical treatment for correcting irregular teeth was suggested by Gaius Plinius Secundus (A.D 23-79).The American Association of Orthodontists is comprised of more than 12,000 members in the United States, Canada and abroad.

• The time required to complete orthodontic treatment ranges from 12 to 36 months depending on the nature and severity of the problem.

• Of the 160,000 dentists in the United States and Canada, 8,000 are practicing orthodontists.

• The cement that attaches the braces to the teeth is now made with a special fluoride-releasing substance.

• Wires activated by body heat used in today's braces originally were developed by NASA for use in the space program.

• In addition to alleviating or preventing physical health problems, orthodontics can boost self-esteem as treatment aligns teeth, jaws and lips.

• Famous orthodontic patients include: Dr. Joyce Brothers, Hale Irwin, Cher, Diana Ross, Phyllis Diller, Chelsea Clinton, Whoopi Goldberg, Daisy Fuentes and Brandi.

Might you be a teeth whitening addict?

In an age—and culture—where looks matter as much as anything in life, and at a time when a set of beautiful white teeth might be the difference between getting that great job, more and more people want to look and feel great. But can there be too much of a good thing when it comes to teeth whitening? Dentists everywhere are reporting a spike in patients' complaining about irritation and bleeding gums, translucent teeth and excessive teeth sensitivity, especially to cold food and drink items.

Our friends at WebMD have written a helpful article on teeth whitening addiction, and we encourage you to give it a read if you suspect you may have a teeth whitening addiction. Or you may give us a call for more info!

Ask Pediatric Dental Specialists: What, exactly, is malocclusion?

Malocclusion, or what Drs. Planells, Sanchez and Cortez call “bad bite,” is the improper alignment of teeth and/or jaws. When your teeth and jaws are not properly aligned, it may impact your bite, the ability to properly care for your teeth, your gum tissue health and even your appearance.

Most people experience some degree of malocclusion, but it generally is not severe enough to require corrective measures. If your malocclusion is serious enough, however, treatment at Pediatric Dental Specialists may be necessary to correct the issue.

Drs. Planells, Sanchez and Cortez will tell you that untreated malocclusion can lead undesirable mouth problems, including tooth decay, gum disease, chipped and cracked teeth. The most common solution for malocclusion, of course, is orthodontic treatment. The actual course of treatment, including the length of time you will require braces, will be determined by severity of your malocclusion.
At Pediatric Dental Specialists, we use the most advanced technology in the field in order to ensure that you receive the best possible results. If you have any questions about malocclusion, please give us a call and we’ll try to answer any questions you may have.

Helping kids overcome fears of the dentist, from Drs. Planells, Sanchez and Cortez

Some children have fear when it comes to visiting the dentist. Our team at Pediatric Dental Specialists found a great article over the weekend on how to help children overcome fears of the dentist, courtesy of our friends at WebMD.

Making your child feel comfortable when they visit Drs. Planells, Sanchez and Cortez is a huge reason to take your child to a Pediatric Dentist instead of a regular dentist. Our team at Pediatric Dental Specialists excels at making children feel comfortable visiting the dentist. In fact, most of our patients look forward to their next visit!