Category: Children’s dentist

Just when you think you’re finished with spring allergies, summer allergies come along. Typically, summer allergy season commences in June and ends in September, but you might notice children’s allergy symptoms peaking in June and July. Aside from watery eyes, sneezing, and nasal congestion, you might notice that your child wakes up with a sore jaw.

Can seasonal allergies cause jaw pain, or could it be something else? Read on to find out!

How Our Sinuses, Teeth, and Jaws Interact

The sinus cavity is a hollow system found in the skull and facial bones that connect to the nose. Healthy sinuses are air-filled voids protected by a thin layer of mucus.

When seasonal allergies attack, the sinuses inflame and swell. Because they take up an extensive amount of facial real estate, a swollen sinus cavity often causes pain and pressure in the face.

Namely, the maxillary sinuses are balanced above the upper back teeth (near the ears and temporomandibular joints). If your child has a sinus infection from cold or allergies, their back teeth might hurt. Potentially, this pain can spread to the ears and jaws.

Common Causes of Jaw Pain

Aside from sinus pressure and allergies, here are a few other common reasons why children suffer from jaw pain:

Mouth Breathing

Generally, congestion worsens in a lying-down position. When your child’s nose is congested, they are compelled to breathe through their mouth while they sleep. Holding the mouth open for long stretches can put a strain on the temporomandibular joints and facial muscles, which can lead to jaw pain and fatigue.

Overusing Facial Muscles

If your child’s allergies force them to incessantly cough and sneeze, their facial muscles and joints might overtax. This can lead to facial tension and a sore jaw.

Bruxism

Bruxism (excessive, chronic teeth grinding) is an infamous culprit behind tooth and jaw pain. If your child has allergies, they might be predisposed to nocturnal bruxism (chronic teeth grinding during sleep). In a study conducted at the University Miami School of Medicine, researchers concluded that nocturnal bruxism is significantly more prevalent in children with allergies than in their non-allergic peers. Theoretically, this might be because the Eustachian tubes in the ears swell in response to allergies. Consequently, excessive, chronic teeth grinding is a response to the change in pressure in the middle ear.

Cavity

Tooth decay starts at the outermost layer of the tooth (the enamel). A dentist can swiftly resolve a cavity with a dental filling or crown if handled early.

Although sinus pressure is generally felt in several upper back teeth, a deep-rooted cavity can cause jaw pain. Generally, cavity-related pain is progressive. It starts in the infected tooth but can spread to the jaw, neck, and ear (generally, on the same side as the affected tooth). At this point, an extraction might be necessary.

What is causing your child’s jaw pain? Dr. Matt can help you figure out the mystery.

Seasonal allergies and TMJ disorders share several symptoms, like facial pain, headaches, and ear aches. Generally, here’s how to differentiate the two common health issues:

• Allergy discomfort characteristically kicks in seasonally. Once the allergen, congestion, and sinus inflammation go away, so does the jaw pain.
• Typically, TMJ Issues are prolonged and accompanied by stiffness, popping, or clicking noises when opening the mouth.

If your child is still experiencing jaw pain after their allergies have resolved, it’s wise to reach out to your local pediatric dentist. Are you concerned about your child’s jaw pain? If so, contact Dr. Matt at Smiles Dentistry for Kids in Overland Park, KS. Call (913) 685-9990 or message us online today.

Granted, virtually nothing matches the cuteness of a newborn’s toothless smile. Just wait until their first few teeth debut. Typically, a baby’s first tooth emerges between 6 months and a year. By age 3, most children have a complete smile consisting of 20 baby teeth.

But what can you do if your baby’s teeth are coming in crooked or gapped? Should you visit an orthodontist right away? Before you start daydreaming about your little one in braces, continue reading to learn what Dr. Matt has to say about misaligned baby teeth:

What causes crooked or gapped teeth?

People are rarely born with perfect teeth. There is a wide range of reasons why your child might have misalignment, such as:

Genetics

Children inherit their physical traits from both of their parents. So, it’s not uncommon for kids to have a set of jaws and teeth that don’t match up. For instance, a child may be born with a wide jaw from one parent and tiny teeth from another (or the other way around).

Oral Habits

Even in the womb, babies suck on their thumbs and fingers as a healthy way to self-soothe. However, prolonged oral sucking habits and extended pacifier use exert unnecessary pressure on the palate and upper front teeth. Consequently, the upper arch might narrow, or the front teeth might protrude, leading to several bite issues, including open bite and crossbite.

Myofunctional Disorders

Does your child sleep with their mouth open? Myofunctional (muscle function) disorders, like mouth breathing and tongue thrust, can inhibit facial development. Although muscle-based, myofunctional disorders can damage dental development and lead to malocclusion (bad bite) or crooked teeth.

Losing Baby Teeth Too Early

While shedding baby teeth is a natural part of growing up, premature loss of baby teeth can lead to negative consequences. Whether your child has lost a tooth from injury or decay, the neighboring teeth tend to shift into the space where the missing tooth once was.

Not only can this cause crooked teeth, but it can also obstruct the path needed for an adult tooth to come in straight (or at all). Thus, presenting the issue of misaligned permanent teeth as well.

Abnormal Amount of Teeth

Albeit rare, sometimes extra or inadequate teeth cause crowding, spacing issues, and general misalignment.

Does it matter if your child’s baby teeth are crooked or gapped?

Generally, it doesn’t matter if your child’s teeth don’t come in perfectly. Plus, crooked or gapped baby teeth don’t automatically translate as a misaligned adult smile.

Throughout childhood, your kid will go through changes—and the most significant changes in their jaw and mouth happen between the ages of 3 and 6. These natural changes will alter the position of their baby teeth, and your little one’s crowding might disappear as your child’s jaw widens.

Surprisingly, gaps between baby teeth can be positive. Permanent teeth are more sizeable and need more space to erupt properly. So, gaps help give permanent teeth extra space, so they don’t remain trapped beneath the gums.

Nevertheless, if you’re worried about your child’s baby teeth, you should schedule a dental visit with Dr. Matt at Smiles Dentistry for Kids. Call (913) 685-9990 or message us online to schedule a children’s dentistry appointment in Overland Park, KS.

Although school is out for summer, your child’s first teacher works year-round: you! This month, Dr. Matt and his dental team celebrate Oral Health Month, and you’re invited! We’ve devised this kid-friendly, true-false trivia game about oral health so that you and your family can play and learn together.

1. True or False: Smiling can trick your brain into being happier.

True! If you’re having a tough day, turn that frown upside down. The simple act of smiling provokes a powerful chemical reaction in the brain that can make you feel more content (even if you are pretending).

2. True or False: All teeth are created equally.

False! Humans have four distinct types of teeth, and each type performs a specific function that helps us eat:

• Incisors are the teeth at the front of the mouth. We use these sharp teeth to chop our food into smaller pieces.
• Canines are the teeth at the intersections of the dental arch. These pointed, sharp teeth help us hold and rip our food.
• Premolars have flat biting surfaces, which help us break down the food we eat.
• Molars are at the very back of the mouth and have the greatest surface area. Our molars help us mash and crush what we eat into digestible fragments.

3. True or False: Your teeth are as rare as your fingerprint.

True! You might be surprised to discover that fingerprints and teeth have something in common: they are entirely exclusive to us. Not a single human has the same set, including identical twins. 

4. True or False: We only see 2/3 of our teeth.

False! Like icebergs, most of your dental structure isn’t visible. When we smile, we only see a third of our teeth. The majority is hidden beneath the gums, so it’s essential to keep your gums healthy with daily flossing and brushing.

5. True or False: Dental enamel is the strongest substance in the body.

True! Curiously, the surface of your teeth is harder than your muscles, bones, and fingernails. Enamel is chiefly composed of calcium and phosphate. Additionally, it has specific proteins that strengthen it. Similar to an eggshell, enamel forms on the outer layer of your teeth that protects your smile from decay and damage.

6. True or False: Teeth can heal themselves.

False! Under normal circumstances, your teeth are your only body part that cannot repair themselves. Because teeth are composed of different types of cells, their ability to repair is limited. This serves as a faithful reminder to protect your oral health at all costs!

7. True or False: Regular dental visits are vital for oral health.

True! The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children visit their pediatric dentist every six months for a check-up to prevent dental decay and other oral health problems.

As parents and pediatric specialists, we understand that getting kids interested in oral health can be challenging. Yet we also know that kids must understand how to take care of their oral health. When children understand how their bodies work, they can gain confidence in taking great care of their smiles.

Continue the fun this Oral Health Month by scheduling a children’s dental health visit at Smiles Dentistry for Kids in Overland Park, KS. Message us online or call (913) 685-9990.