The importance of oral health for children

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According to Dr. Kami Hoss, founder and CEO of The Super Dentists, it is important for children to maintain good oral health because it can affect their overall wellness. Poor oral health can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and even heart disease.

Tooth decay, as Dr. Kami Hoss mentioned before, is the most common dental problem in children. It is caused by bacteria that produce acids that eat away at the teeth and can lead to cavities, requiring treatment such as fillings or root canals.

Gum disease is another common problem in children. It is caused by bacteria that form plaque on the teeth. Plaque that remains in children's teeth can cause gums to become inflamed and infected. Gum disease can lead to tooth loss.

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Heart disease is a serious health problem caused by poor oral health. Bacteria that live in the mouth can enter the bloodstream and cause inflammation throughout the body. The inflammation can lead to many problems, including heart disease and other health issues.

Dr. Kami Hoss also stresses the importance of children seeing their dentist regularly to identify and treat any dental problems. Children should have their first dental visit by the time they are a year old. Regular dental checkups can help ensure that children maintain good oral health and stay healthy overall.

Dr.Kami Hoss has written several blogs on oral health. Readers can check them out on this page.

Protecting teenage teeth: A few important reminders

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According to Dr. Kami Hoss, DDS, good dental hygiene is crucial during the teenage years. Along with its role in socialization, good dental hygiene is also a must to avoid dental decay, which is one of the most common chronic issues in young people from ages 5 to 17.

In today’s blog, Dr. Kami Hoss, DDS, gives a quick review on keeping your teeth and gums healthy as a teen.

Always practice wearing a mouth guard during contact sports.

Oral injuries can be the result of contact sports, so to prevent them, try wearing a mouth guard while playing. Mouth guards can be custom-fitted by a dentist or bought ready-made at a nearby store. People should also keep it clean through regular cleaning.

Always eat healthy.

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Teens are prone to snacking on sweet treats and nutrition bars in between school activities and their social life. According to Dr. Kami Hoss, DDS, they should instead stick to healthier alternatives such as vegetable sticks and pure, clear water, and do away with sodas and sweet beverages. Acidic foods and fizzy drinks are bad news, as they cause dental erosion as well.

Avoid cigarettes and alcohol.

Smoking is bad for people’s health for many reasons. One of them is that it leads to stained teeth, gum disease, as well as tooth loss. Both smoking and alcohol drinks can cause mouth cancer, as well, Dr. Kami Hoss, DDS, adds.

Kami Hoss, DDS, is the CEO of The Super Dentists, the largest pediatric dentistry and orthodontic practice in San Diego. He is also the chief executive of Acceledontics and Howard Healthcare Academy. Read more on this site.

The importance of good oral health in older adults

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The body changes as people age. No matter how old a person is, their dental health plays an important role in determining their quality of life. While people of all ages need to practice good oral hygiene, older adults need to be more vigilant about their gum health as it can help determine their overall wellbeing.

Having strong, healthy, and shiny teeth become less susceptible to decay and gum diseases over time. Dr. Kami Hoss mentions that for older adults to maintain good oral health, it is integral that they pay close attention to their dental hygiene habits. This will determine the general condition of their teeth, gums, and mouth. Thanks to improved quality of life, dental health devices, more adults can keep their pearly whites healthy as they age. Although, their risk of suffering from bad oral health may increase due to medication or memory loss.

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While some older adults don’t usually have a problem when it comes to fitting dentures, those who suffer from medical conditions such as xerostomia, osteoporosis, and diabetes may find it challenging as the process of getting fitted for these can be uncomfortable and may take longer to finalize.

For Dr. Kami Hoss, neglecting to practice good oral hygiene can affect a person’s self-esteem. Thus, it’s understandable that people may choose to forgo going to the dentist or investing in dental devices and products due to financial constraints. However, it’s incredibly important for one to pay attention to dental health as much as they do with other aspects of health.

Dr. Kami Hoss is the CEO and co-founder of The Super Dentists, the biggest orthodontic practice and pediatric dentistry in San Diego. He is an author, consultant, inventor, enthusiast, and speaker in business and dentistry. Head over to this page for more articles.

All you need to know about bruxism in children

 

Bruxism or teeth grinding is mostly experienced by adults. But this sleeping-related movement disorder is relatively common in children, too. Generally happening when a person is under stress or in a deep sleep, bruxism can become a severe dental concern when left untreated.

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Some kids may grind their teeth if these hurt, while others do so due to stress or anxiety. Misaligned teeth can cause dental concern, but it’s more likely that a child feels anxious about something. Teeth grinding and jaw clenching can cause dull headaches, pain around the ear, and tension pains that start near the temples, explains Kami Hoss, DDS, MS. In other cases, kids may feel pain when chewing or when eating cold and sugary treats.

When teeth grinding is excessive, it causes wear and tear on the enamel, sometimes almost exposing the deeper layers of the teeth, increasing their sensitivity. It’s possible for kids not to outgrow the sleep disorder. Kids whose teeth grinding don’t stop may suffer from chipped or fractured teeth, while others may develop temporomandibular disorder (TMD), which causes increased pain in the jaw. Kids with TMD may find it harder to chew or open their mouth fully.

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If parents or guardians suspect their child has bruxism, it would be best to schedule a dental checkup, notes Kami Hoss, DDS, MS. A proper diagnosis will include the appropriate treatment for bruxism and its symptoms. Some kids and adults with bruxism may benefit more from stress and anxiety relief and management.

Kami Hoss, DDS, MS, holds a master’s in craniofacial biology and a doctorate in dental surgery. He also co-founded The Super Dentists with his business partner and wife, Dr. Nazli Keri. For more updates, head over to this blog.

Dental hygiene 101 - What causes bleeding gums

 

Dr. Kami Hoss continues with his series of blogs that aim to help his readers know more about dental health. In today’s discussion, he shares his wisdom on one of the common dental problems out there: bleeding gums.

What causes bleeding gums?

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1. Improper brushing

A lot of people, even those who brush regularly, still maintain poor brushing habits in that they place too much pressure on their teeth when they brush. Perhaps, thinking that they are being more thorough in the way that they clean their teeth, they press on too hard, which causes their gums to give in to the strain and then bleed. Dr. Kami Hoss adds that this becomes even worse when worn-out toothbrushes are used, because these tend to be shaped quite irregularly and can cause gum damage.

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2. Improper flossing

The type of people described in the previous point are probably the same ones who also floss the wrong way. When flossing is done in excessive force, this can cause even greater damage than any toothbrush ever can. When flossing, one has to be really gentle and extremely aware of the angle by which the floss gets into to contact with the teeth and the gums.

3. Plaque buildup

A notorious culprit that causes gum bleeding is the buildup of plaque under the gum line. Plaque is a sticky mixture made of bacteria, mucus, and food debris, that typically builds up on the exposed parts of the teeth. While it is a major cause of tooth decay, it also causes gums to be infected, which results in bleeding.

Dr.Kami Hoss, MS, DDS, is a sought-after author, consultant, inventor, and speaker in the fields of dentistry and business. He and his wife, Dr. Nazli Keri established the largest pediatric dentistry and orthodontic practice in San Diego. For more about his work, please visit this page.

Why baby teeth are important

 

Baby teeth, or primary teeth, are just as important as permanent teeth. For Dr. Kami Hoss, a child’s physical and emotional well-being and social development depend highly on their dental health. Here are a few reasons why baby teeth should be valued the same way permanent teeth are treated.

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Placement of teeth

The purpose of the primary teeth is to ensure proper positioning of the upcoming permanent teeth, Dr. Kami Hoss explains. However, losing a baby tooth prematurely due to tooth decay may drift the adjacent teeth toward the empty slot. If this happens, the upcoming permanent teeth may be hampered from erupting into their proper place.

Permanent teeth wellness

Cavities spread very quickly through the thin enamel of baby teeth. If left untreated, infections may develop, which can hinder the formation of a permanent tooth underneath. Take note that permanent teeth grow close to the roots of baby teeth.

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Overall health and nutrition

As children grow, their health and nutrition depend on the food they eat. Dr. Kami Hoss advises parents to bring their kids for a regular check-up to treat possible cavities. Otherwise, it could worsen and affect other areas of a child’s well-being.

Important information

Parents should know that babies have their primary teeth already present in their jaws at the moment of birth. These begin to appear between the age of 6 months and 1 year. At 3 years old, that’s the time when most children have a full set of 20 primary teeth.

Dr.Kami Hoss is the CEO and co-founder of San Diego’s largest pediatric dentistry and orthodontic practice - The Super Dentists. He also serves the community by holding activities to teach children about good oral hygiene. For more information, visit this page.

Helping kids manage their fear of the dentist

 

In reality, there really isn’t any reason to fear the dentist. They help individuals get the smile they want and deserve through necessary dental treatments. However, some kids may have an irrational fear of the dentist which can prevent them from having their teeth checked. Adults can encourage kids to manage their fear of the dentist.

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Find friendly dentists. Dr. Kami Hoss and The Super Dentists help kids feel comfortable and at ease in every time they visit for a check-up or a procedure. It’s also important for parents to have confidence in the dentist and their staff in order for the child to feel the same. Prepare the child for the visit. Answer questions about the dentist truthfully and avoid downplaying their anxieties. Encourage the child to talk about what makes them afraid or nervous about the visit.

Adults may have the tendency to make dental visits seem scary, especially for kids. Instead, make the visit enticing. Read books and watch videos about dentists that are kid-friendly to build their excitement. Use the right words when talking about dental visits. Rather than using words that might evoke negative reactions such as “pain,” “shot,” or “hurt,” use positive, kid-friendly words like “healthy,” “clean,” and “comfortable.”

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Explore the dental office. Parents can arrange for the dental staff to tour the child around the office to help them see there is nothing to fear. They can even let kids hold kid-friendly dental tools for a little role playing before the actual procedure.

Kami Hoss, MS, DDS, is the CEO of The Super Dentists, the largest pediatric dentistry and orthodontic practice in San Diego. He is also a sought-after author, consultant, inventor, and speaker in the fields of dentistry and business. Read more about Dr. Kami Hoss here.