Baby teeth

COMPARED TO SANTA AND THE EASTER BUNNY, the Tooth Fairy has been relatively new on the childhood scene. Sometimes called "American's only fairy," she first appeared in 1927 in print, in The Tooth Fairy by Ester Watkins Arnold.

The Legend of The Tooth Fairy

Although never seen, we imagine the Tooth Fairy to look like a Disney fairy with wings, flying in a beautiful gown through the air with her magic wand.

The Tooth Fairy allows baby teeth to be put to rest. In this way, she plays a purposeful role in the disposal of baby teeth. The Tooth Fairy wants children to take comfort in losing their baby teeth by thinking of the excitement of becoming a grown up and receiving a monetary reward.

The tooth fairy is generous. In 2016, when leaving a baby tooth under a pillow, the average tooth fairy reward was $4.66, a .75 cent increase from 2015.

The Tooth Fairy Cares About Your Teeth!

Like the dentist, the tooth fairy wants every adult to maintain all of their permanent teeth for life. That's why she gives no reward for lost adult permanent teeth.

On February 28th we celebrate National Tooth Fairy Day. Let's remember the Tooth Fairy and thank her for her fine work. To learn more about the Tooth Fairy, visit www.toothfairy.org.

Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca, Gorczyca Orthodontics, 5201 Deer Valley Road, Antioch, Califoria www.clubbraces.com

THE CDC REPORTS THAT 1 in 5 children (between ages 5 and 11) in the US have untreated tooth decay. Not only should tooth decay be treated in regular dental appointments, it should be prevented! Tooth decay is 100 percent preventable with effective personal care and regular dental cleanings.

YOU Can Help Little Ones Have Healthier Smiles!

1. Encourage them to brush for two full minutes: Pick a song about two minutes long and sing it to them during brushing time.
2. Set reminders to brush twice a day: Brushing after breakfast and just before bed are the best times for preventing bacteria growth from food.
3. Show them flossing is fun, not harmful: Be gentle at first when doing it for them. A bad experience can stop them from flossing on their own.
4. Be persistent: Don’t let fussy children off the hook. Be motivating! Kids may gladly brush for a sticker or star if you make it an activity.
5. Set their first dental appointment before age 1: Having positive dental experiences early will make dental visits easier and less frightening when older.

We Love Helping Young Smiles

At Gorczyca Orthodontics, we see young patients as early as age 4. Functional shifts in bites may cause asymmetric growth patterns and need to be treated early.

Our initial orthodontic exams are complimentary at no charge. If parents are in need of a pediatric dentist for their child or a family dentist for the whole family, we are happy to refer you to an excellent dentist in our East County dental community.

The American Association of Orthodontists and all orthodontists recommend that every child have an orthodontic examination with an orthodontist by age 7. To find an orthodontist near you, visit www.mylifemysmile.org.

Find us Gorczyca Orthodontics, 5201 Deer Valley Road, Suite 1A, Antioch, California (925) 757-9000. www.clubbraces.com

Here's to your child's happy life and health smile.

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

WHAT IF YOU'RE 13 YEARS OLD AND you still have a baby tooth? A baby tooth at age 13 indicates an orthodontic and dental health problem.

Baby Teeth Shouldn’t Be Present After Age 13

Most children lose their last baby tooth by age 12. Girls can be up to two years earlier than boys and lose their last baby tooth by age 10. Boys could lose their last baby tooth as late as age 13. In either case, boys or girls, baby teeth present after age 13 are cause for concern.

If you or your child are over the age of 13 and still have a baby tooth, it is important to have an orthodontic examination with an orthodontist as soon as possible.

4 Possible Problems of a Baby Tooth at Age 13

#1: Your baby tooth is stuck to the bone (ankylosed).

It will not fall out on it's own. The permanent tooth below is unable to push the baby tooth out. This baby tooth needs to be extracted as soon as possible.

#2: The baby tooth is mechanically blocked from falling out.

It is obstructed by crowded side teeth. It can't make an exit, like being too wide for a doorway. There is crowding and braces are needed to allow the baby tooth to fall out or be extracted.

#3: The permanent tooth below is crooked, malpositioned, or sizeways and can't push the baby tooth out.

The permanent tooth in the bone under the baby tooth is is in a poor position and will never come into the mouth without orthodontic treatment. Even if the baby tooth is extracted the permanent tooth will not come into the mouth. Your orthodontist and oral surgeon can bring this impacted permanent tooth into position by removing the baby tooth, exposing the permanent tooth, and then moving it with braces into the mouth.

#4: A permanent tooth is missing.

Below the baby tooth there is a missing permanent tooth. You have tooth agenesis (congenitally missing tooth). You will need to maintain this baby tooth as long as possible and replace it with a dental implant or bridge in the future.

We're Here To Help!

If your general dentist has told you or your child that there is still a baby tooth at age 13, see an orthodontist as soon as possible. To find an orthodontist in you area, contact the American Association of Orthodontist at www.mylifemysmile.com.

At 13 years old, you're not a baby any longer. Take care of your last baby tooth today to find out how you can restore dental health.

Follow Dr. Gorczyca on Twitter @drgorczyca
Gorczyca Orthodontics, www.clubbraces.com.

WHEN YOUR FOUR-YEAR-OLD says “Cheese!” at her birthday party, take time to notice if her bite is right.

Most children see a pediatric dentist by age two. By age four, your child may be referred to an orthodontist for severe tooth and bite problems.

There are four childhood conditions treated by an orthodontist as early as age four.

1. Crowded Baby Teeth

Baby teeth should have spacing between them. Overlapped baby teeth are a sign of severe crowding. The permanent front teeth are larger than the baby teeth they replace and need adequate space.

2. Crossbite of Baby Teeth

Crossbite occurs when upper teeth fit inside the lower teeth. If your four year old is experiencing difficulty chewing or bites her cheeks, she may have a crossbite. A crossbite can cause grinding and wearing down of baby teeth. Long term, a crossbite will create an abnormal growth pattern.

3. Lower Jaw Shift with Baby Teeth

Baby teeth out of position can create interference tooth hitting and produce a lower jaw shift. Tooth interference with jaw shifting will wear down teeth and create an abnormal growth pattern.

4. Narrow Upper Jaw with Baby Teeth

A narrow upper jaw indicates narrow nasal passages. This can create open-mouth breathing and sleep problems. Lack of sleep can significantly contribute to difficulty learning at school.

Correction of these early bite problems is of great health benefit to your four year old child. Early treatment by an orthodontist will minimize the need for more extensive orthodontic treatment at a later age.

To Find An Orthodontist Near You...

To find an orthodontist near you, visit the American Association of Orthodontists at mylifemysmile.org. To find a pediatric dentist nearby, you can visit the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) at mychildrensteeth.org.

This patient was treated by Orthodontist Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca of Gorczyca Orthodontics, in Antioch, California. For a free consultation call (925) 757-9000.

Make sure your child’s bite is healthy when saying “Cheese!” and that she enjoys eating her birthday cake at age four, or any age.

TOOTH DECAY IS THE #1 CHRONIC DISEASE IN CHILDREN. It’s estimated that 40% of children have some form of tooth decay before they even reach kindergarten. Alarming, isn’t it? But SO much of the problem is preventable through routine hygiene appointments.

Add Dental Checkups To Your Back-To-School Checklist

Don’t wait until there’s a problem—even if your child isn’t complaining about discomfort. Tooth pain doesn’t usually exist until decay reaches the tooth’s pulp. At that point, it’s probably advanced and may require more extensive treatment. Good preventive treatment happens BEFORE there’s pain.

Don’t Forget About Orthodontic Evaluations Too!

Loose baby teeth ready to fall out can also cause tooth and gum pain.

The first baby teeth to fall out are the lower central incisors. These teeth can become loose at kindergarten age. The last baby teeth to fall out are the lower primary second molars. These teeth usually fall out by sixth grade.

When baby teeth stay too long, they may have a root caught in the gum with a permanent tooth pushing up underneath it. These teeth wiggle back and forth and may not be possible for your child to remove on their own. This can be uncomfortable and also cause the permanent teeth to be pushed out of place, making permanent teeth crooked.

Painful and harmful loose baby teeth are one of the reasons the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child receive an orthodontic evaluation by age 7. Your orthodontist can evaluate baby teeth loss to make sure that your child will be pain free. To find an orthodontist in your community, visit www.mylifemysmile.org.

At Gorczyca Orthodontics, We Love Working With Kids

At Gorczyca Orthodontics in Antioch, California we see children for a complimentary orthodontic examination as early as age 4. If tooth decay is visible, we will refer your child to a pediatric dentist or back to your family dentist for treatment.

Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca has been a licensed dentist since 1988. She completed her university based orthodontic residency program to become an orthodontic specialist in 1990. She is a Board Certified orthodontist and a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics.

In 2015, Dr. Gorczyca celebrates 25 years of being an orthodontist and working with children. She has now treated over 10,000 patients! To have your child seen by Dr. Gorczyca, call us at (925) 757-9000 or visit us at www.clubbraces.com to schedule a complimentary exam.

How Do We Protect Your Child’s Smile?

It is important to be free of tooth decay prior to getting braces. Gorczyca Orthodontics also uses Opalseal, an additional bonding resin to protect teeth from decay during orthodontic treatment. While in braces, it is important to still have cleanings twice per year with your regular dentist. Dr. Gorczyca removes wires for dental cleanings to ensure that all parts of teeth can be cleaned well and that excellent oral hygiene can be maintained during orthodontic treatment.

Patients receive a hygiene evaluation at every appointment at Gorczyca Orthodontics. Wires will be removed and an extra cleaning and hygiene instruction scheduled with your hygienist if necessary. If hygiene is excellent at your orthodontic appointment, you will recieve a reward token to collect to win a prize.

Our goal is to have your child decay free, pain free, with the most beautiful smile possible.

Help Set Your Child’s Great Oral Health Habits Now!

When you take an active role in your child’s oral health, you do a lot more than care for his or her teeth. You help your child develop habits that will positively shape overall health for life... Habits that will likely be passed down to your posterity as well.

Have a great school year!

Top image by Flickr user Elizabeth Albert used under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 4.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.