Fluorosis

Dr. Cynthia Wong treats patients of all ages at Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics, though a large majority are children and adolescents. Because of this, she often treats the dental phenomena known as Fluorosis. This occurs when a child is exposed to an abnormal amount of fluoride. The results are thin and white streaks on the teeth. Fluorosis isn’t harmful, but it does alter your child’s appearance. To learn more, visit our office in Orland Park, IL.

 

It’s important to note that fluorosis isn’t a dangerous or harmful condition. This isn’t a cause for concern. Children are the only ones at risk because fluorosis affects teeth that haven’t emerged from the gum line. Fluoride is a mineral that naturally occurs in our water supply. It keeps teeth clean and healthy! It’s only recommended that a child is evaluated for fluorosis because it is a sign of a nutritional imbalance.

 

The best way to minimize a young child’s oversaturation of fluoride is through breastfeeding. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents breastfeed their child until it reaches the age of three. This is not possible or recommended for everyone. Breastmilk contains all the necessary nutritional elements that your child needs. Using formula increases your child’s risk of fluorosis. That’s because many types of formula require water. As mentioned, water is one of the largest sources of fluoride. You also need to pay attention to how much toothpaste you’re using. Your Orland Park dentist recommends brushing your child’s teeth as soon as they come in. Children under the age of three should never use more than a grain of rice worth of toothpaste.

 

Once a child reaches the age of three, they should start brushing twice a day. Being negligent of their dental care guarantees gum disease and cavities. Children don’t need more than a pea-sized amount of toothpaste each time. Make sure they aren’t swallowing it after brushing. Using too much toothpaste or ingesting dental products is a surefire way to develop fluorosis.

 

At Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics, your child’s health is our top priority. If you are interested in learning more about Fluorosis or our orthodontic services, contact our office in Orland Park, IL. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Cynthia Wong, visit her website or call 708-444-8341.

Orthodontic Assessments

Your children’s dentist will monitor their teeth for developmental issues, but they’ll likely refer them to us for a comprehensive orthodontic assessment. At Dr. Cynthia Wong’s Orland Park office, we’ve overseen many children’s orthodontic therapy, providing them with a lifetime of healthy, beautiful teeth. To help families understand the importance of orthodontic assessments, we thought it would be a good idea to describe what to expect.

We’re going to use digital x-rays to determine where a child’s adult teeth are likely to erupt. From the time they’re around seven years old, we can reasonably predict whether their wisdom teeth are at risk of being impacted and if the other teeth are becoming too crowded. However, orthodontic therapy usually does not begin at this age outside of extreme circumstances, such as breathing difficulty or facial deformity. We’ll also ask children questions about whether they have difficulty chewing, whether their jaws or teeth are often sore, and whether they feel fatigued. These questions can help us to determine whether misalignments might be a contributing factor to temporomandibular joint disorder and sleep apnea. We’ll also inspect the wear patterns of their enamel for signs of nighttime teeth grinding. After making an impression of a child’s mouth and running the x-rays through our modeling software, we’ll be able to develop a treatment plan and demonstrate to them and the parents any particular concerns we may have about the future movement of their teeth and jaws.

Cynthia Wong, DMD, operates at 15614 S Harlem #B, Orland Park, Illinois, 60462. To contact her office, call 708-444-8341 or visit Dr. Cynthia Wong and send a message.