Many patients underestimate the importance of wearing their retainers after their braces come off, but it is one of the most critical post care practices to keep your teeth in alignment. Why spend all that time, energy, and money to straighten your teeth when you don't plan to keep them straightened after treatment?

What is a retainer?

As the name implies, a retainer keeps teeth from moving back to the positions in which they started before treatment was administered; they "retain" your smile and bite. There are many different types of retainers—some are removable and some are permanent. Some retainers are made of plastic and metal (known as Hawley retainers) and others are all plastic or all metal. Some retainers can even be bonded to the back of your teeth!

How long do I need to wear it?

If you've been given a removable retainer by Drs. Cartsos and Zavras, you may be wondering how long you need to wear it. It takes time for the tissues and bones around your teeth to reorganize and set into place after braces treatment.

The amount of time you’ll need to wear your retainer depends on your unique situation, but typically, retainers should be worn at least as long as the time you spent in braces. You might need to wear them full-time for a while, and then transition to wearing them only at night. Drs. Cartsos and Zavras will have a treatment plan especially for you, and if you stick to it, you'll always have a straight smile.

Nothing is forever (at least without retainers!)

Research has shown that there is no “permanent” position for your teeth to remain in. In fact, some studies say upward of 70% of patients will see a change to their bite and tooth alignment as they get older. This applies to people who have had orthodontic treatment and those who have not. Of course, some people's teeth never seem to shift—you can consider them the lucky ones, as most people's teeth do.

And this is precisely where retainers come in. The only way to ensure your teeth stay in alignment long-term is by wearing your retainers. If you have any questions about retainers or your treatment plan, please ask any member of our Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts staff.

It’s common for children to suck their thumb at a young age. Drs. Cartsos and Zavras and our team want you to understand the potential issues that can surface down the road if the habit isn’t broken early on.

It’s normal for infants to explore the function of their mouths by putting objects like their thumbs inside it. You shouldn’t be concerned if your baby regularly sucks his or her thumb. For infants who are still growing their baby teeth, thumb sucking can help with stimulating growth and development of their baby teeth.

Thumb sucking is not a problem among infants because they generally do it to sooth and comfort themselves. Problems can occur of kids continue the habit when their baby teeth begin to fall out, around six years of age.

If you have a young child whose adult teeth are starting to come in, that’s when thumb sucking can start to be a problem. Most children stop thumb sucking between the ages of two and three years. According to the American Dental Association, if thumb sucking continues as adult teeth come in, this can lead to problems involving improper alignment of teeth and growth of the jaw, gums, and roof of the mouth.

It may also affect your child’s speech after that, by causing a lisp or other speech impediments. As a parent, you may need to begin to regulate and intervene if thumb sucking starts to become a bigger problem for your child.

How to Stop Thumb Sucking

• Provide comfort to your child if thumb sucking happens when he or she is anxious.
• Limit thumb sucking initially to bedtime or naptime.
• Employ positive reinforcement for good behavior.
• Talk with your child about the potential problems that come from this habit.
• Distract your son or daughter with activities such as fun games any time you notice it starting.
• Involve your little one in choosing methods for stopping, like positive rewards.
• Have Drs. Cartsos and Zavras talk to your child to reinforce concerns about thumb sucking.

Don’t forget that thumb sucking is a common habit that many children indulge in, and it should not be a concern right away. If you’re worried about your child’s thumb-sucking habit, start to address the issue as soon as possible.

The above techniques can help to reduce the amount of time your child sucks a thumb. Drs. Cartsos and Zavras and our team are here to help you if you have any questions or concerns about this habit.

Feel free to call our Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts office and we will be happy to help you and your child.

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease, or HFMD, is a type of contagious viral illness that causes a rash in the mouth and on the hands and feet of infants and young children, and, while rare, adults. Characterized by sores in the mouth and a rash on the hands and feet, hand-foot-and-mouth disease is most commonly caused by a coxsackievirus, a bacterium that lives in the human digestive tract. HFMD can spread from person to person, typically via unwashed hands.

What are the symptoms of HFMD?

Symptoms of HFMD usually begin with a fever, sore throat, poor appetite, or general malaise. A couple of days after the fever starts, kids may develop painful sores in the mouth. A skin rash characterized by red spots may also develop, usually on the palms of your child’s hands and soles of their feet. It’s important to note some children may only experience a rash while others may only have mouth sores.

Is HFMD serious? Should we be concerned?

Usually not. Nearly all children infected recover anywhere between seven to ten days without medical treatment. Rarely, however, a child can develop viral meningitis and may need to be hospitalized. Other rare complications of HFMD can include encephalitis (brain inflammation), which can be fatal.

How can my child prevent HFMD?

There is no known vaccine to defend your child against HFMD. However, the risk of your child contracting the disease can be reduced by:

• Making sure your child washes his or her hands often
• Thoroughly cleaning objects and surfaces (these include doorknobs and toys)
• Making sure your child avoids close contact with those who are infected

To learn more about hand-foot-and-mouth disease or to schedule an appointment for your child, please give us a call at our Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts office!

When is the best time for your child’s first trip to the dentist? We bet it’s earlier than you think. When your toddler’s one or two lonely little teeth start to play peek-a-boo, that’s the right time to bring them to see us.

That’s right, your child’s first check-up should come just as they’re sprouting their first lower central incisors (the middle ones on the bottom!). This peek-a-boo check up is important, and can set the stage for a healthy future for your child.

Why so soon?

Preventive dental care starts with that first tooth. Just like an adult, it’s recommended that your baby visit a pediatric dentist every six months. You want to make sure even baby teeth stay as healthy as possible and prevent any other problems before they start. Baby teeth are like little soldiers, holding the line for permanent teeth as they grow inside the jaw underneath the gum line. 

Why do baby teeth matter?

Care of baby teeth is just as important as permanent teeth as any cavities or decay can actually affect the next generation of teeth. Research has shown convincingly that children who develop cavities in their primary (baby) teeth have significantly higher likelihood of developing serious cavities in their permanent teeth. At our practice we monitor several factors that place your child at risk, including plaque levels, dietary habits, malocclusion and crowding, consumption of carbohydrates, etc. You will also want to tell us if your child is a thumbsucker, as that can affect the growth of your child’s jaw and teeth.

Just as important is getting your little one comfortable with dental visits. We want them to begin by having a positive experience with the dentist and our office. This helps to establish a lifetime of good oral care that will help keep their mouth (and body) healthy. Our dentists and staff have vast experience of how to approach infants and young children and how to reward their achievement of the first dental visit! A doggy balloon made by Maria usually scores high (smile) points!!!

It’s about you, too

Does your baby know the differences among the pediatric dentists in your area? Probably not. At this point your little one has full trust in you, and your choices. The idea is to find a pediatric dentist, like Convivial Dental, where you, the parents, feel most comfortable. As pediatric dental specialists, Dr. Zavras and Dr. Azi have had additional years of training, on top of dental school, for the care of children. They understand that treating an infant or toddler is also just as much about the parent. That’s why we do our best to make you feel that you’ve picked the right pediatric dentist, someone whom you and your child can grow with over the years, all the way up through adolescence. That means frequent, open communication, involvement in the checkup itself and having a relationship with the team at the practice. 

Good dental care starts at home

Even with one little tooth starting to play peek-a-boo, it’s important to start instilling good habits early. Teach your child to take care of his or her teeth and gums by brushing regularly (with a soft bristle brush.) This will remove the harmful bacteria that leads to tooth decay. Okay, we understand that kids like sweets and grandma can’t resist making her grandkids happy with a few treats when she visits, but limiting the sugary or starchy snacks is also very important to good dental health.

Your child’s chewing, speech development, and self-confidence all start with a healthy set of baby teeth. At Convivial Dental we recommend that you call us as soon as you the whites of your baby’s first little tooth start to play peek-a-boo.

Click below or call 617-735-0800 today to schedule a consultation. We can’t wait to meet you!