Category Archives: Kids’ Health

Invisalign Advantages and Disadvantages

Invisalign is an innovative way to correct misaligned teeth. These are aligners made with a clear material that remain almost invisible. Like braces, these clear aligners help to straighten teeth but without being embarrassingly visible.

But before you opt for Invisalign, it is important to consider their pros and cons.

Invisalign Advantages

Using Invisalign can be helpful in many regards.

Not Apparently Visible

The number one benefit to opt for Invisalign is that these aligners are not visible. Teenagers and even adults are often reluctant to use braces. But if they might need to align their teeth in some way then Invisalign offers them a great solution.

There are a number of problems associated with misaligned teeth even when you neglect the cosmetic aspect of perfectly-aligned teeth. Crooked or misaligned teeth can cause problems with eating and speaking. Crooked teeth can also cause pain in the jaw and the cheeks. The constant wear and tear on the jawline can also cause headaches. If the teeth are severely misaligned then it can get very difficult to clean them. Difficulty in cleaning the teeth can cause gum diseases, bad breath, and other problems in the mouth.

Many people refrain from getting their teeth straightened in a timely fashion due to the embarrassment of using metal braces. The fact that Invisalign is not apparently visible makes it a very attractive option for people of all ages to use them with ease.

But ensure that your dentist has sufficient experience in providing this treatment. For instance, if you want Invisalign Springfield VA then chooses a dentist with extensive experience in offering the treatment. Invisalign treatment requires customization and frequent reviews to work properly. So, you will need a dentist who is an expert in offering it.

Convenient to Maintain

Unlike braces that require a lot of maintenance (the amount of cleaning after eating a meal can be tremendous); it is rather easier to use Invisalign aligners. You can lightly clean them with a toothbrush and bleach every once in a while (or as your dentist recommends) and you are set. You can easily remove your Invisalign aligners during meals to keep them relatively clean.

Easy to Use

Even if you have no direct experience of using braces, you probably know that the metal aligners can be very painful. Often the wires on the braces can cause cuts on the side of the mouth or the lips. For example, the wires or the clips can get tangled with a cloth napkin that you might use after a meal. It can get stuck on your sheet if you cover your mouth with it while you sleep. But there are no such problems with Invisalign aligners. These aligners are made with smooth material and cause no pain. Invisalign is easy to use without causing any problems that are common when you use metal braces.

Invisalign Disadvantages

There are some disadvantages to using Invisalign. But these disadvantages do not outweigh the benefits of using them.

Higher Costs

Invisalign can cost you more than braces and the cost is not covered by insurance. If this is a concern for you then you can choose a dentist that offers flexible payment plans. For instance, if you need Invisalign in Springfield, VA and can’t afford the cost of the treatment then choose a
Springfield dental clinic that offers easy payment options to their patients.

You can always find reputed clinics in your city by conducting a simple online search and check their websites for the information on payment options.

Need to remove them before Meals

Yes, you need to remove Invisalign aligners before every meal, which can seem like an inconvenience at first. But it helps to ultimately keep the aligners clean and there is no risk of food getting stuck on them.

Discomfort

If the fitting of the Invisalign aligners is not proper, it can cause discomfort and pain. If the work is performed by inexperienced dentists then you can also experience pain during your initial fitting for new aligners. To avoid such problems, it is important to work with dental professionals with adequate experience in fitting Invisalign aligners on patients of different age groups.

Cosmetic Dentist – Five Questions to Ask

Cosmetic dentistry refers to oral care procedures that can improve the appearance of your teeth, gums, and smile. There are different kinds of cosmetic dentistry procedures that can offer restorative benefits to anyone suffering from crooked or broken teeth or other problems that can affect their oral health.

Here are five questions to ask a cosmetic dentist.

What kind of cosmetic dentistry services you offer?

Cosmetic dentistry comprises of different kinds of procedures such as fixing implants, veneers and crowns, performing inlays and onlays works, teeth-whitening, teeth-shaping, bonding, and other restorative treatments.

Your family dentist may not be qualified or trained to offer all kinds of cosmetic dentistry procedures. For instance, a clinic for cosmetic dentistry in Springfield may offer all or only a few of the cutting-edge dental procedures. So, if you are looking for a new cosmetic dentist then be sure to ask them about their service offerings.

Are you qualified to offer all the cosmetic dentistry procedures listed on your website?

For medical professionals, it is not enough to merely get a degree from an accredited college. They need to qualify for the field they wish to practice in by getting certified by medical boards.

Cosmetic dentists must have memberships with different dental associations depending on the procedures they offer.

Do you have sufficient experience in providing treatment for the procedure I want?

Depending on the procedure you want, it is imperative that you ask your dentist about his or her experience in offering it. Dental procedures like fixing implants and veneers require precision and care otherwise infection can occur in the tooth cavity. If the implants are not fixed properly then you may have to undergo the procedure again at the risk of damaging your gums. It will also cause a waste of your time and money, in addition, the extra discomfort you are likely to endure. So, finding the right dentist is very important.

For example, let’s say you are looking for a cosmetic dentist in Springfield. Then check different clinics for cosmetic dentistry in Springfield by checking their websites and looking into the dentists’ experiences in the services on offer. When it comes to cosmetic dentistry, it is best to take your time in finding the right dentist for your needs. Feel free to ask the dentists you like about their experiences and training. Good dentists will always respond to your queries in a professional manner to put your mind at ease about the treatment you wish to seek.

Can I undergo multiple procedures at the same time?

If you wish to undergo different cosmetic dentistry procedures, it can be worth your while to ask your dentist if they can be performed at the same time. For example, if you need a dental crown but also a root canal in another tooth, you might or might not be able to get them in one session depending on your unique problem. Your dentist should be able to offer you a solution if undergoing multiple procedures at the same time would be possible for you.

Some dental procedures require a lot of time to complete. So, if you are short of time then it can be a good idea to discuss the same with your cosmetic dentist. An experienced dentist will be able to offer you the ideal solution even if the answer to your question is in the negative.

What kind of financing and insurance options are available with you?

Some cosmetic dentistry procedures can be expensive. So, it is important to know about the approximate cost of the treatment you need. Many dentists offer convenient financing options to their patients so that they don’t have to do without the oral care they need. Your cosmetic dentist must be part of the PPO network with different insurance partners.

Many dentists also offer flexible payment terms to their patients. So, it is important that you ask about insurance beforehand. If the out-of-pocket treatment cost of a procedure is more than what you can afford, you might want to go with installment payment plans offered by a qualified cosmetic dentist.

Why Do You Need Pediatrician for Your Child?

Why do I need a pediatrician for my child? What does a pediatrician in Gaithersburg MD will do for my child? These are the few common questions asked by parents. Let’s find out having why having a pediatrician is important when your baby arrives.

Specialized Child Doctor

Pediatricians are specialized child doctors who are graduated from medical school and completed a three-year residency program in pediatrics. They are specially trained for treating infants, children, teenagers, and adults up to age 21. They are qualified for diagnosing and treating minor to serious health issues of babies, toddlers, adolescents, and young adults.

When your child falls sick, or you need reliable advice relating to your child’s health, a pediatrician is the one whom you see. Your pediatrician in Gaithersburg, MD will see your child many times from birth to age 2, as per the schedule recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, and most health insurances cover the cost of a pediatrician.

Provide Complete Child Healthcare

A pediatrician provides a gamut of services including vaccination, well-child visits, ear piercing, lactation consultancy, sports physicals, travel consultation, allergy testing, nutrition guidance, obesity education, and travel vaccines. If your child has a health condition that requires close monitoring, your pediatrician also offers specialized care for that. Your pediatrician provides complete child health care. When you use a pediatrician, you do not have to worry about, finding the doctor every time your baby fall sick or you need advice related to the health of your child.

Education about Child’s Health

A pediatrician gives you information about your child’s health, nutrition, safety, and fitness needs. Your pediatrician educates you about the growth and development of your little one. As your pediatrician in Gaithersburg, MD seeing your child right from the birth, he or she is the best person to counsel you about the health and development of your child. A pediatrician also gives age-appropriate counseling to the child and anticipatory guidance to parents for better parenting.

How to choose the right pediatrician?

Choosing a pediatrician is one of the most important decisions parents have to make before the baby arrives. Here are the few tips to choose the right pediatrician in Gaithersburg, MD for your child:

Get Recommendations and Search Online

The first thing you need to do is find the names of best pediatricians in your area. And the best way to start your search is to get recommendations from friends, family, and colleagues. If they have kids, there are probable chances that you will get some good referrals in your area. If you are short of names, you can also check the referral website of the American Academy of Pediatrics. You can also ask your primary care doctor for references. And, in the end, never forget to search online for best pediatricians in Gaithersburg, MD. Once you have a few names of pediatricians in your area, start narrowing down your options.

Check Credentials

Check the credentials of a pediatrician which are usually displayed on the practitioner’s wall. To become a qualified pediatrician, pediatricians have to be graduated from medical school and attend a 3-year residency program in the pediatrics. Make sure pediatrician is qualified and licensed to practice. Parents are also advised to choose a pediatrician who is board certified. American Board of Pediatrics conducts the test for certification of qualified pediatricians. Being a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (FAAP) shows your pediatrician has a certain level of skill, expertise, and knowledge.

Interview Pediatrician

And the last step is to interview pediatricians you are interested in, after all, your chemistry with your pediatrician matters a lot. Make sure you are comfortable explaining your concerns to the pediatrician. Prepare the list of questions you want to ask. Ask your pediatrician, how can I reach you in case of emergency? What are other specialists working in the hospital? What is the best time to call if I had queries? Is there anything you would want to know about my family?

So, these are the few tips you can follow to find the best pediatrician in Gaithersburg, MD.