Category Archives: Kids
Why You Should Always Choose a Good Endodontist?
Endodontists are dental specialists who study and train for treating diseases in the dental pulp. A common endodontic treatment is the root canal procedure, which can essentially save your infected tooth or even protect your teeth from further infections.
Here are the reasons why you should choose a good endodontist for you and your family.
A Specialized Field
Not every dentist studies to be an endodontist as well. Your general dentist may or may not offer endodontic treatments. So, if you need a root canal treatment, you will need to go to an endodontist. For instance, let’s say your family dentist in Springfield doesn’t offer endodontic treatments. So, if you need an endodontist Springfield VA then your general dentist may refer you to one. If not then you will need to find a new one even while battling with severe pain in your tooth. For this reason, it is important to choose a
Northern Virginia dental clinic from the start where your dentist offers different types of treatments including endodontic procedures.
Endodontic procedures like root canal require precision otherwise the infection can remain in the dental pulp. If it is not performed properly then you might even experience a great deal of pain during the treatment. Other procedures like apicoectomies (removing a dental root’s tip) can be useful when root canal cannot help. The procedure can help you to avoid getting a dental implant or go through a painful extraction. The field of endodontic can include procedures to treat dental trauma, cracked tooth, and other oral problems.
A dentist needs to train for a few years to specialize as an endodontist. It is a dental specialty that deals in emergencies and not every dentist is qualified to handle such treatments. Endodontists need to diagnose a dental problem to identify the source of the pain in the pulp. Until the diagnosis is correct, it is not possible to identify the right treatment plan for the same.
Endodontists also need to continually update their knowledge and skills as this dental specialty is rapidly advancing with innovative treatments. The tools for endodontic procedures have also become advanced such as now you can expect endodontist to use ultrasonics or microscopes for diagnoses and treatments.
Different Set of Skills
An endodontist needs to have proper dexterity to work on narrow dental spaces. Endodontic procedures require a dental professional to work with tools that require precision in handling; otherwise, your dental pulp can receive more harm than already present.
Endodontists also require to think fast to diagnose a problem to minimize the patients’ pain. Any delay in the diagnosis and the treatment of the problem can make it difficult to save the infected tooth.
Endodontists require different tools to work. For example, they need to know to use 3D X-ray facilities to quickly check the inside portion of the affected tooth.
Endodontists often work with patients that other dentists refer to them. It means that they work with patients with no established relationship and need to quickly regain their trust. It helps the patients to feel safe in receiving treatment from a new doctor under painful circumstances.
Endodontists need to be able to thus reassure their patients with their skills, training, and compassionate nature. They also need to handle drug management during emergency treatments. Such tasks require quick-thinking abilities and clarity of thought. Endodontists need to be an expert on pain management for the well-being of their patients who are always in acute discomfort due to the infection in the dental pulp.
Availability
The fact that an endodontist often deals with emergencies requires them to be available for their patients on short notices. Endodontists often perform 20-25 root canal procedures in a week alone. If your endodontist is also your general dentist then they will have even busier schedules.
So, they need to be really good at time management, have competent support staff at their clinics, and should be able to attend to emergency cases on short notices. If not then they should be able to refer their patients to another endodontic specialist. A good endodontist can be there for you in emergencies and treat you as needed.
Things You Should Look for in a Dentist
When it comes to maintaining good health, it is important to find the right medical professionals for it. Most people neglect their dental health until faced with problems such as acute pain in the tooth or bleeding gums. But a good dentist can help you prevent dental problems and also help you out in emergencies such as a broken tooth or oral injuries.
Here are some things to look for when you are searching for a dentist.
Qualifications
Needless to say, dentists must have proper qualifications for the services they provide. Look for letters such as DDS (doctor of dental surgery) when looking for a dentist. Check their websites to know more about their qualifications. Check if they have obtained their degrees from accredited colleges and institutions. A basic online search such as best dentist in Springfield VA can yield good results and provide you with names of qualified dentists in your area. Just perform the search using the name of your town or city.
Your dentist must also be a member of recognized medical boards such as the American Dental Association. Many dentists are also members of the dental associations in their state. A dentist who has a membership of recognized national and state medical boards will have passed stringent exams set by these organizations. They also have to reapply for their memberships every few years by clearing tests again to display their knowledge. Know that a dentist without a board member is really not certified to practice as a dental professional even if they have the proper university degrees.
Your dentist will need to continue to study to become trained in newer technologies in the field of dentistry. If your dentist is not up-to-date with current dentistry services then it is best to find a new one who does. Dentistry has become very advanced now. There is no need for you to stick with a dentist who cannot offer you cutting-edge treatments for your well-being.
Experience
When you are browsing through the websites of the top dentists in your area, also check their experience as a dental professional. Choose a dentist for you and your family with at least a few years of experience if not more. If you can find a qualified dentist in your area with at least a decade of work experience then it is even better to choose them for your family’s oral health.
Services
When looking for a dentist, check the range of services they provide before making your decision to choose them. The ideal dentist must be able to provide you with advanced dental care along with general dental services such as cleaning, fillings, and bleaching. Check for services such as preventative care, extractions, Springfield cosmetic dentistry, laser therapy, and 3D X-rays. Your family dentist must be able to offer you all kinds of dental implants such as crowns, veneers, dentures, and even appliances for sleep apnea.
Your dentist must also be able to offer you basic endodontic procedures (different procedures performed inside the tooth) such as root canals. Most kids and even some adults require teeth-straightening procedures. These days dentists can offer such treatments without the use of braces. Invisalign is a procedure where dentists use clear aligners to straighten the teeth.
Location and Office
Your dentist’s office location is also an important factor to consider when finding one. Whenever possible, try to look for qualified dentists in a location that you can conveniently reach in case of emergencies especially if you have young kids. Let’s say, you need the best dentist in Springfield, VA. In that case, first, look for one in or around your neighborhood. But if you can’t find a qualified one in your area, then widen your search a bit. Know that a dentist’s qualification and experience always comes first.
The office must also be well-maintained, clean, and have friendly support staff.
Commitment to Patients’ Well-Being
Your dentist must be committed to the patients’ well-being first and foremost. The ideal dentist will have a service mindset with proven experience in providing affordable care to their patients. Your dentist must be able to provide you the best treatment and even refer you to other specialists if needed.
What Services Can You Expect from a Pediatric Dentist?
Dentist treat cases related to oral health. Often, the patients involved are not adults, but little children who have just developed milk teeth or lost them with due age. They could even be adolescents who are growing their wisdom teeth. In all such cases, a pediatric dentist is your go-to person. These doctors treat all common issues as typical dentists, but are also specially trained to cater to children’s oral health needs. Plus, they are better equipped to handle little ones and make dental visits less frightening and more fun. Here is more to know about this specialty doctor and what services he/she offers.
Preventive care
The teeth of young children are difficult to clean owing to their small size. As a result, they are more prone to cavities and tooth decay. Children’s love for sweets and sugary treats, as well as poor brushing habits, tend to aggravate the problem rapidly. Pediatric dentists offer preventive care for children’s teeth through routine cleaning. When necessary, they apply dental sealants and also provide fluoride treatments, which help prevent tooth decay. Routine dental visits for children typically happen twice a year or more frequently, if the young one has dental or oral health issues. During such a consultation, the doctor also examines your child for risks or future problems such as periodontal diseases that may arise. He/she may also conduct an X-ray scan to identify deep-rooted problems and those invisible to the naked eye so that the problem can be tackled before it flares up.
Fixing dental problems
Pediatric dentists treat minor and major dental problems like filling cavities, performing root canal treatments, repairing broken teeth, and so on. These doctors are also equipped to handle the transition that happens when milk teeth fall off, and permanent teeth appear. They can pull out loose and shaky milk teeth, which do not come off on their own. Pediatric dentists, like adult doctors, are qualified to prescribe medicines and use anesthesia when necessary. Such doctors also identify cases that warrant a dental surgery and perform the procedure themselves or refer your child to a specialist who can perform the same. Many pediatric doctors also offer emergency services like fixing or replacing knocked-out teeth, treating falls and injuries, and so on.
Orthodontics
Orthodontics involves the use of brackets and wires to correct misaligned and crooked teeth or those with gaps into a shapely state for a beautiful smile. The treatment also helps improve biting and chewing abilities as well as speech. Pediatric dentists keep a close watch on children’s teeth as they grow older. They identify instances that call for an orthodontic treatment to be delivered. Most pediatric dentists are not orthodontists themselves. Instead, their trained eyes identify anomalies in the teeth structure or alignment, helping to recommend orthodontic treatment when necessary.
Oral health education
Good teeth and oral hygiene are critical to good overall health. Imparting good habits early on in life can help prevent most dental issues. A pediatric dentist places a lot of emphasis on and imparts oral and dental education to young patients and their parents. When a child visits the best dentist McLean VA, he/she is new to the idea of dental care. A good pediatric doctor focuses on teaching the little one and his/her parents how to brush and floss correctly, while also providing them tips for maintaining good oral health. Additionally, the doctor also helps parents develop strategies for the different stages in the child’s dental development, so that they are well-prepared for what comes their way. By involving both the child and the parents, the pediatric dentist sets the stage for right dental habits and a lifetime of healthy and happy teeth and gums.
In addition to the above, many pediatric doctors also provide habit counseling for thumb sucking and pacifier use. They also conduct timely diagnosis for oral conditions related to diseases like asthma, diabetes, and ADHD. When choosing a pediatric dentist, look for someone you can work with for a long time, preferably till your child is an adult. Since childhood and adolescence are filled with dental changes, having a dentist who can track necessary changes and rectify them on the time year after year is a huge advantage.
CoolSculpting: The Coolest Way to Get Rid of Fat
There are times when a healthy diet and a strenuous exercise plan do not produce the desired weight loss results. Stubborn fat deposits simply refuse to shift from troublesome spots such as upper arms, thighs, or the waist. But now an easy remedy is available to counter this problem. You can now opt for CoolSculpting treatments to get rid of unwanted body fat.
What is CoolSculpting?
CoolSculpting is a treatment that freezes fat cells and permanently destroys them. It has been approved by the FDA to use on various body parts such as the abdomen, flanks, thighs, upper arms, and chin.
The treatment involves use of a safe device to deliver cooling at the treatment site. A gel is applied before using the device on the skin. The cold temperature freezes fat cells without destroying adjacent tissues or other cells. The frozen fat cells eventually are destroyed and removed from the body through the elimination process. As the fat cells leave the body, the treatment site becomes slimmer and more sculpted than before.
Eliminating Fat in the Coolest Way
CoolSculpting is a way to remove unwanted fat from the body quickly and efficiently. You can get a sculpted body after one or multiple CoolSculpting sessions depending on your requirement. Usually one treatment is enough to remove 20-25% fat from one area. You will see improvements for weeks after the treatment as fats cells will leave the body. After a few months, you will see remarkable results in the treatment area as all the destroyed fat cells are eliminated.
The results from CoolSculpting look natural as the destroyed fat cells leave the body over a few weeks. The results are also permanent if you maintain your optimum weight. The fat cell elimination process is permanent. The damaged and eliminated cells are gone for good. The body doesn’t replace destroyed fat cells with new ones.
CoolSculpting is completey safe when performed by qualified medical professionals. The CoolSculpting device comes equipped with a system to deliver optimum temperature on the treatment area. The sensors in the device detect temperature changes and shut it down in case your skin is excessively cold.
It is a gentle treatment that produces no serious side effects. It is a painless procedure and you may experience only a gentle tugging on the skin as the device works on the treatment site. You may experience some redness or numbness in the treatment area. But these side effects do not last longer than a few days. The treatment is so comfortable that you can nap, read a book, or simply relax while the doctor/clinician works on your body.
It is a noninvasive treatment that requires no anesthesia and incisions. So, you don’t need to worry about surgical complications or a long recovery time. There is no downtime associated with CoolSculpting. After your treatment sessions, you can resume your normal everyday routine without requiring any rest.
Maximizing the CoolSculpting Benefits
To achieve best results from CoolSculpting, it is imperative that a qualified medical professional performs the procedure. Look for a reputed clinic in your area. A simple online search such as CoolSculpting in Port Charlotte can provide you with good results. Consult with the doctor in reputed clinics in your area to know about their experience and expertise in performing CoolSculpting procedures. The efficacy of the treatment depends on a lot on the expertise of the provider.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding then you will need to wait before you can opt for CoolSculpting. If you have any skin infection or disease then the doctor will recommend a time for the treatment after your recovery. The doctor will inform you about the procedure steps, potential side effects that are temporary, and any precautions you may need to take depending on your health or medical history.
You can also opt for CoolSculpting treatment for more than one body part at the same time. So, be sure to discuss your expectations from the treatment with the doctor during your consultation.
If you have tried to lose unwanted fat unsuccessfully or are simply looking for an easier alternative to achieve a slimmer body profile; CoolSculpting may be just right for you.
Vaccination Schedule Recommended Pediatricians for Children
Vaccinations are administered to infants, children, and young adults to help them lead a healthy life. These preventive medicines keep them protected from diseases that are commonly found in people of this age group. Vaccines ensure that children are safeguarded from mild to serious illnesses, which may render them severely disabled, or put them in life threatening situations. These need to be administered as per a pre-defined schedule, the failure of which may render it ineffective in protecting your child. Pediatricians are doctors who specialize in care of infants, babies, and children. These medical practitioners recommend following the given schedule for children above the age of 1, up to the age of 11, for maximum protection.
• 15 months: Tetanus/ Diphtheria/ Pertussis, Haemophilus Influenza B The vaccines to be administered after the dosages completed on first birthday are the DTaP vaccine as well as the Hib vaccine. DTaP protects against three serious and life threatening diseases.
o Diphtheria – A bacterial disease that causes a thick covering to form in the back of your child’s throat. It can lead to breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure, and even death.
o Tetanus (Lockjaw) – A disease that causes painful tightening of the muscles, usually all over the body. It often leads to ‘locking’ of the jaw, which makes it difficult for the child to open the mouth or swallow.
o Pertussis (Whooping Cough) –A bacterial infection that causes severe coughing spells, which makes it hard for infants to eat, drink, or breathe. It can also lead to can lead to pneumonia, seizures, brain damage, and eventually death.
Hib protects against Haemophilus influenzae type b disease caused by bacteria. The disease often results in bacterial meningitis, pneumonia, breathing difficulty, infections of the blood, joints, bones, and covering of the heart, and in rare cases, death.
• 2 Years: Hepatitis A vaccine
Hepatitis A is a serious liver disease, characterized by symptoms such as fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or joint pain, severe stomach pains and diarrhea, or jaundice. The disease causes liver failure and eventually death. The first dose of Hepatitis A vaccine is given at the age of 1 year and then repeated at the age of 2 years.
• 4 Years: Varicella (Chickenpox) booster
The booster dose for chicken pox is a vaccination that re-introduces your child to immunizing antigen. It helps build better immunity against the common childhood disease, which causes a rash, itching, fever, and tiredness. The disease may also result in severe skin infection, scars, pneumonia, and brain damage. The booster vaccines is helpful in restoring the antigen back to protective levels.
• 5 Years: Tetanus/ Diphtheria/ Pertussis, Measles/ Mumps/ Rubella (MMR), Polio, Hearing and Vision Screening.
The DTaP and MMR vaccines are re-administered when the child turns 5 years old. He/she may also be screened for hearing and vision to check for disabilities or impairment.
• After the age of 5, children can be subjected to well visits annually or when needed (for sports, camps etc.)
• After the age of 9 to 11, suggested vaccines are HPV and Meningitis, along with a booster dose for Tetanus/ Diphteria/ Pertussis at the age of 10 to 11 years.
Timely and proper vaccination can help your child lead a healthy childhood and adulthood. Pediatricians are your go-to source for necessary help, and for administering the vaccines to your child at the right time.
