pediatric dentistry

ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS, TOOTH DECAY is one of our most common, modern-day chronic diseases. In fact, by the time children begin kindergarten, 40 percent have some kind of tooth decay! Remember, just because your children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews aren’t complaining about tooth pain (and their teeth “look” OK), it doesn’t necessarily mean their teeth are OK.

Fall is a great time to assess your health goals and get back on track after a leisurely summer. Here at our practice we want to remind you how important your routine dental care is during your orthodontic treatment period. While we’re making your smile more beautiful, you need to be sure your teeth, gums, and entire mouth stay as healthy as possible. Be sure your regular dental checkups are part of your back-to-school checklist.

What Your Dentist Will Typically Include In A Regular Checkup Or Back-To-School Exam:

Here are some of the typical components of regular checkups and back-to-school exams:

1. Thorough Cleaning: Professional cleanings help prevent gum disease—keeping your teeth healthier, longer.
2. Checking For Cavities: Take care of cavities before they become bigger problems, leading to pain and tooth loss.
3. Checking Existing Dental Work: That includes fillings, crowns, sealants, etc.
4. Examining Oral Tissue & Jaw Function: Early detection helps prevent oral cancer and related problems.
5. Fluoride Application: For cavity prevention.

Important Things You Can Do

1. Keep orthodontic work clean! Brush twice a day. Brush gently and pay special attention to your gum line.
2. Teach your entire family the good habit of flossing each day.
3. Eat healthier snack foods such as fresh fruits and veggies.
4. Limit sugary snacks & high-carb foods. The bacteria that cause tooth decay love simple sugars—especially those in treats.
5. If you like to chew gum, choose sugar-free options.
6. Always talk with our team if you notice any unusual oral health changes or problems with your orthodontic appliances.

A big part of our role is helping parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts better monitor children’s oral (and overall) health. Preventative dental care is one of the most important things you can do for yourself and for your family! So be sure to keep your regular appointments.

Thanks for being our valued orthodontic patient! Call us at Gorczyca Orthodontics 925-757-9000 if you need a dentist or pediatric dentist in the Antioch, California East Contra Costa County Area. We are located at 5201 Deer Valley Road in Antioch right behind Deer Valley High School. Thank you for choosing Gorczyca Orthodontics for your orthodontic needs. Your smile is our inspiration!

We look forward to seeing you at your next visit!

YOU MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE CHILDREN OF YOUR OWN. Either way, we all have children we care about in our lives—nieces, nephews, grandchildren, neighbor’s and coworker’s children, etc. That’s why we’re taking a quick step away from orthodontics this week, to help everyone be aware of this severe health issue affecting kids.

It’s Easy To Protect Against Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

Did you know that the most common childhood disease today is tooth decay? Tooth decay results when bacteria in one’s mouth interacts with the sugar and starches in foods and beverages, creating acid which erodes tooth enamel. And although baby teeth are temporary, they’re critical to a child’s health, comfort, and long term oral health development. Without proper care those baby teeth are subject to painful, unnecessary caries.

Don’t Let Babies Fall Asleep With Their Bottles

Here’s what typically happens... The baby is put to bed with a bottle. Seems harmless enough. But if the bottle is full of milk or juice it’s also full of sugars that combine with bacteria to produce acids. Babies drift off with the bottles still in their mouths. The fluid pools around their teeth and the enamel on those new little teeth is slowly eroded away throughout the night.

The result can be painful caries, and/or the need for stainless steel crowns. In addition, since children’s teeth are still coming in they’re more susceptible to decay underneath the gum line. This decay can become so severe that delicate surgery under a general anesthetic may be required to remedy the problem.

Take A Moment To Be Informed

If you start early, you may be able to train your child to drink water in his or her bottle at nap time. Here are some other tips:

• use gauze or a wet cloth to wipe children’s gums and teeth after feedings
• work toward using “sippy” cups by his or her first birthday
• don’t nurse continuously during the night
• never dip pacifiers in honey or any sugary liquid

The video below offers other suggestions:

If You Have Questions, Please Ask

Think about the children you know and kindly help every parent understand this important topic. If you have any questions about dental health for your child, or for a child close to you, ask our team at Gorczyca Orthodontics about it. You can leave a comment below, or on our Facebook page.

You can also learn more about baby bottle tooth decay from this ADA webpage.

Thanks for your trust in our practice. We appreciate having you as our valued patient!

A GAP BETWEEN YOUR seven year old's front teeth may look cute at 7, but unless you're Madonna, it may not be wanted in adolescence or adulthood. To prepare for your child's future, many 7 year olds have their gap closed by orthodontic treatment.

A gap, or diastema, is common at age 7 when half baby teeth and half permanent teeth are present. Orthodontic treatment at age 7 is called Phase 1 Orthodontic Treatment. It is treatment of half permanent teeth. Additional Phase 2 treatment of all permanent teeth may be needed at age 12.

If a diastema is larger than 2mm, it will not close on it's own. Your orthodontist can help to close this space and get your 7 year old's teeth looking beautiful.

A diastema is often caused by a thick frenum, a piece of skin between the front teeth. Frenums are often hereditary in families. The frenum is best removed once the diastema is closed. The space will be held closed by a wire on the back side of the front teeth.

A periodontist, or gum specialist, will remove your child's frenum to make space closure permanent. Frenum removal is done AFTER the space is closed by your orthodontist.

If you have questions about your child's diastema or frenum, Orthodontist Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca and Gorczyca Orthodontics can help. Call us at (925) 757-9000 or visit us at www.clubbraces.com.