The Tooth Truth

Here at Pediatric Dental Specialists, we consider dental health to be an integral part of overall good health. Our practice philosophy is to provide dental education and treatment, as well as orthodontics, for children, teens, and those with special healthcare needs. We believe that good dental health can instill a sense of well-being, provide a lifelong smile, and promote good overall health.

To that note, let’s talk about the truth about our teeth. Our bone and gum tissues are supported by our teeth. If this support is lost or is poorly aligned, then our bone and gums can begin to erode. If the teeth are properly aligned the bone and gums are less likely to erode.

Your teeth play an important role in digestion. Before your food ever enters your stomach, it has to be chewed by your teeth. This process is called mastication. The food has to be partially broken down before entering your stomach to be properly digested. Braces straighten your teeth and give you the alignment you need to properly chew your food. 

If you are concerned about your alignment, or simply have questions on how to improve your child’s dental health, let’s talk! Our caring team takes pride in providing exceptional care to patients of all ages. We also have links to great additional resources on our website. To access those links, click here.

I just got braces, now what?

At Pediatric Dental Specialists,  we believe you have taken the first step toward a healthier and more beautiful smile but you are probably wondering what comes next. The first week is the biggest period of adjustment, and there is a lot to learn in this short time. What to eat? How to brush?  No worries, in a very short time your braces will feel completely natural.

On the first day, your braces will probably feel sort of like a mouthful and it may take time to get used to them. By the second day, you may feel some soreness or discomfort.  If you are going to experience any discomfort, the second and third days are when it will happen. If you do experience discomfort it can be dealt with by taking an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as Tylenol.

If you have any questions or concerns our team of is here to help you! We're simply a phone call away at (562) 377-1375. You can also find more helpful information on our website by clicking here. 

December Charity of the Month - Action Against Hunger

For almost 40 years, across nearly 50 countries, Action Against Hunger has led the global fight against hunger. They enable people to provide for themselves, see their children grow up strong, and for whole communities to prosper. Constantly searching for more effective solutions, Action Against Hunger continuously shares their knowledge and expertise with the world while pushing for long-term change.

About 815 million people go to bed hungry every night, and one in three children in low- and middle-income countries suffers from chronic undernutrition. Action Against Hunger works not only to treat acutely undernourished children through a community-based approach, but also to improve child survival and prevent undernutrition by addressing its underlying causes. Their technical expertise is internationally renowned, due to their more than 35 years of operational experience in countries with the highest "burdens" of hunger. They’ve also developed revolutionary nutrition products and field testing treatment protocols that have become international best practice. Action Against Hunger aims to increase the number of children worldwide who are screened and treated for undernutrition and to build the capacity of local health systems to treat undernutrition. 

Each time you check-in at our office during the month of December, a donation is made to benefit this wonderful charity. All of us at Pediatric Dental Specialists thank you for your continued support.