According to the American Association of Pediatric Density, roughly one in five children suffers from canker sores. Canker sores are small sores that appear inside the cheeks, on the lips, on the surface of the gums, and under the tongue.

Even though, canker sores are not contagious, they do tend to run in families. There are several reasons your child may be suffering from canker sores including:

• Children who have Vitamin B12, iron, and folic acid deficiencies tend to get canker sores more often than children who have normal levels of these vitamins and minerals.
• Children who suffer from food allergies are also at a higher risk for developing canker sores. It’s difficult to determine what your child may be allergic to. If you feel strongly that the canker sores are related to an allergy, then a visit to an allergist is highly recommended.
• Biting their lip or cheek can also result in a canker sore.
• Any injury to mouth, where the skin breaks can cause a canker sore.
• Brushing their teeth too hard can also be a problem.
• Your child may be sensitive to an ingredient in their toothpaste. Try switching toothpastes and see if it makes a difference.
• Emotional disturbances and stress are also factors to consider.

If your child has frequent canker sores a visit to our Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts office will be beneficial. Canker sores are painful and usually last about 14 days. Drs. Cartsos and Zavras may recommend one or a few of the following treatment options:

• Avoid food that is acidic, salty, and spicy.
• A toothbrush with soft bristles may be helpful.
• Avoid mouthwash and toothpaste that contain SLS.
• Do not feed your child foods that they may be allergic to.

Canker Sore Remedies

• Eating yogurt that contains Acidophilus will relieve the pain and help the canker sore heal faster.
• Put one teaspoon of baking soda in an eight-ounce glass of lukewarm water. Have your child gargle and swish it around his or her mouth several times a day. Not only does this remedy relieve the pain, the canker sore could be gone in as little as 24 hours.
• Place a wet tea bag on the sore and hold it there for a few minutes several times a day. This remedy will help with the pain and quickly heal the sore.
• Camphor, Benzocaine, Lidocaine, and Orajel are over-the-counter medications that can help.

If you have questions about your child’s canker sore, contact Drs. Cartsos and Zavras to schedule an appointment.

After you complete your orthodontic treatment at our Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts office and have your Damon Smile braces removed, you will most likely be given a retainer to wear by Drs. Cartsos and Zavras. Retainers will help protect all of the time and money that you’ve invested into your newly aligned teeth, by keeping them in place for many years to come. You will have the self-confidence to smile proudly and know that you have had the best possible treatment.

Permanent Retainers

Many orthodontists prefer to place a permanent bonded retainer behind your front teeth, either on the top or bottom or sometimes both. These are preferred due to the fact that they can be placed on your teeth and forgot about. There is no need to keep track of it, or worry about losing or cleaning it. They are the simplest to deal with long term, and they last can last for many years.

Removable Retainers

Many people do prefer removable retainers but there is a bit more maintenance that you need to be aware of if you choose to go this route.

• You must remove your retainer while you eat and drink.
• You must remember to wear as your orthodontist advised; most patients wear them all night.
• Remove when brushing your teeth and also brush the retainer.
• Retainers can break, so be careful with them.

In order to know what is the best method of caring for your smile after your Damon Smile braces are removed you should speak to Drs. Cartsos and Zavras. You definitely want to protect your investment and smile!

Those challenging teenage years are some of the most self-conscious ones of your life, and concern for your appearance definitely plays a large part. Invisalign is becoming a very popular choice for adolescent patients today, but is it the best choice?

The results from teenage Invisalign users indicate that Invisalign is both effective for teeth straightening and for satisfying that urge to avoid the dreaded “metal mouth.” Drs. Cartsos and Zavras can help you determine if Invisalign is right for you, but this article will explain why so many people are calling Invisalign the best choice for teens today.

Metal-Free Braces

Invisalign is a clear plastic device that fits directly over the teeth. There are no metal parts to mar the look of your smile, and your Invisalign aligners can straighten while allowing your pearly whites to shine through. Any teen will be the first to tell you that appearance is a top concern, so this is an excellent choice. People don’t even need to know you’re straightening your teeth with Invisalign.

Eat, Brush, and Floss Easily

Another particularly attractive aspect of Invisalign for most teenagers is the freedom it allows. While traditional metal braces can make eating, brushing, and flossing difficult, this is not the case with Invisalign. The aligners are easily removable for these activities, which gives teens the freedom they desire to live life as usual.

More Free Time

Invisalign Teen aligners need to be checked and adjusted at Convivial Dental less frequently than traditional braces. This allows for fewer appointments, something that is really important to teens. Having your teeth straightened is no reason to forgo activities or make room in your schedule for constant office visits when you choose Invisalign.

Learn more about Invisalign Teen at our Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts office!

One word no one likes to hear is “cavity!”

For those patients of ours wearing braces, hearing that word is especially problematic, considering that delaying any dental work may result in delaying treatment time.

We often blame candy as the culprit behind tooth decay, but other foods and drinks that kids consume can be just as harmful to their teeth, and can lead to cavities and tooth decay. Keeping your teeth or your child’s teeth from decay during treatment starts with a proper diet, and today, our team at Convivial Dental will explain the negative effects that candy and other treats, including peanut butter, raisins, fruit juice, and chewy fruit snacks, have on your child’s teeth as he or she undergoes orthodontic treatment. Keep in mind that half of your child’s sugar intake may be coming from beverages that he or she drinks. A major offender is soda, but be mindful of fruit juices as well.

While sugar is known to sit in your child’s teeth and in between and under brackets and wires after consumption, it is important to know sugar is not the only cavity-causing culprit. Carbohydrates, starches, acids, and any food that is chewy or sticks break down into sugars, and can promote tooth decay.

So, what are the alternatives?

Candy such as dark chocolate, sugar-free gum, or anything that contains xylitol, a sugar substitute, is not as harmful for your teeth as hard, chewy, or sticky sweets. Sugar-free gum or gum that contains xylitol are known to reduce levels of bacteria on teeth.

And if you’re still looking for something to snack on, we recommend cutting up easy-to-eat fruits and vegetables. You would also be surprised how much eating a banana or sipping on a glass of water helps you curb snack cravings.

If you’re one of those folks who just can’t stay away from sweets, we encourage you to brush your teeth immediately afterward and swish water in your mouth.

Whatever you eat, Drs. Cartsos and Zavras and our team want you to remember to brush often, floss regularly, and visit your general dentist as your treatment progresses. If you have any questions about sugary foods or drinks, please give us a call or ask us during your next adjustment visit!