Early Intervention is Key

Our goal is to help your child thrive by evaluating and guiding their growth and development toward its fullest potential. Addressing root causes of preventable illnesses allows us to be able to provide minimally invasive treatments that result in healthier lives.

Hands on Learning for Kids - Our mission is to educate and involve each child in his or her quest towards optimal oral health, total health and nutrition. We do this by letting them wear a mask and gloves to assist in a dental cleaning, letting them play with our dental materials to see how it all works, and teaching them how to read nutrition labels to learn more about sugar and how it affects their teeth and overall health.

Early Orthodontic Intervention

Early orthodontic treatments focus on guiding the growth and development of a child’s jaw, teeth and facial structures before traditional braces or aligners are needed. These treatments often address issues such as crowding, airway concerns, and improper bite by using habit correctors, dental expanders, and myofunctional therapy.

If we are concerned about issues with the airway, it is important to implement treatment before the jaw is completely formed. Once the jaw is fused, generally around 16 years of age, the only way to expand is through surgical intervention. Also, by treating early we are able to reduce the need for extractions and extensive orthodontic work later in life.

By guiding jaw development, correcting harmful habits and making sure there is enough space for adult teeth to come in, these treatments promote a healthy smile that supports better breathing, chewing and sleeping.

Myofunctional Therapy

Myofunctional therapy consists of exercises that improve muscular function (chewing, swallowing, tongue position) and can help stop mouth breathing and improve sleep apnea.

The impact of mouth breathing

Mouth breathing, especially when it starts at a young age, can negatively affect facial development. Dark circles under eyes and long faces are just a couple of signs. Our noses filter the air we breathe, while breathing through our mouths leads to a buildup of bacteria in the mouth and respiratory system.

Persistent Mouth Breathing Can Lead To:

Tethered Oral Tissues

Tongue, lip and buccal tissues are considered normal anatomy of the mouth. They become problematic only when they limit function. Ties can be identified at any stage of life. If not treated or diagnosed early, there can be long-term health consequences such as increased risk for cavities and sleep disordered breathing.

Tongue Tie
A condition where tongue movement and function are restricted due to a short, thick or tight string of tissue that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth.

Lip Tie
A condition where the lip is tightly attached to the upper and/or lower gum tissue which restricts function.

Buccal Tie(s)
Refers to abnormally tight tissue that connects the cheeks to the gums.

Moms often intuitively know something is wrong, but tethered oral tissues often go undetected, misdiagnosed, or simply dismissed by many healthcare providers.

How do I know if my baby has a tongue tie?

Common signs include:

Mother’s may experience:

Treatment of Ties

A procedure known as a frenectomy is performed to release lip, tongue and/or buccal ties. We recommend a laser surgery, as the tissue can be released in seconds - with almost no discomfort or bleeding. Laser surgery can be done as early as the day your baby leaves the hospital.

A key to success is having the right team of healthcare professionals, which is why we refer to a local office who can help support you and your child throughout the entire procedure.

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