Contrary to popular belief, orthodontic treatment is not just for older children and teens who have alignment and spacing issues. At our Woodbury or Cottage Grove office, orthodontic treatment offers many benefits for children at a young age.

Dr. Curtis Dunn can identify your child’s alignment issues early, and provide treatment as the teeth begin to develop. It’s crucial to start dental care early, not only for proper dental health and cosmetic benefits, but to improve your child’s overall health.

The Benefits of Straighter Teeth

Aside from cosmetic benefits, starting orthodontic treatment at a young age offers many other advantages. A pediatric dentist can help guide the teeth into their proper position to prevent teeth extractions or bite problems, and even reduce the extent of orthodontic treatment later on.

Your youngster will enjoy the confidence of having straight teeth that, as an added bonus, will be easier to clean. Parents will be happy to hear the earlier your child gets treatment, the less your orthodontic expenses could be; plus, it is often covered by dental insurance.

Stages of Orthodontic Treatment

Multiple stages are included in early orthodontic treatment, but there are three main stages.

Stage 1: Treatment starts around age two or three until the child is around six. This stage includes preventive measures to avoid habits that lead to crooked teeth, and monitoring how the teeth grow in.

Stage 2: The first permanent teeth appear around age six to 12 years old and the dentist looks at possible early treatment for misalignment or bite issues.

Stage 3: Any further problems with permanent teeth are corrected during adolescence.

Dr. Curtis Dunn and our staff are able to see early on whether your child will need to have braces in adolescence. Early treatment means fewer procedures, cleaner teeth, and less expense for parents. It’s a win-win for everyone!

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month! Although we are in the specialty of orthodontics, as dental professionals, it is our responsibility to be part of creating both beautiful and healthy smiles. In February, the Dunn Ortho staff visits most of the local elementary schools to teach about dental health. We are committed to serving our community and teach others about smiles that will last a lifetime.

A healthy dental care routine for a child all starts with parents setting the example. Make brushing your teeth in the morning and at night not only a routine your child grows to expect but a family endeavor! Your child will follow your lead when you demonstrate the importance of daily care for your smile.

Dental health looks slightly different at each stage of a child’s development. As soon as the first tooth erupts, parents should begin cleaning the teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush or a wet washcloth. We follow the American Association of Orthodontics guidelines in that all children should be screened by an orthodontist at the age of 7 but a child should be seen by a general dentist around age 2! When your child is a toddler we recommend brushing 2 times a day and flossing any teeth that touch up against another tooth. Once your child can spit properly we suggest adding a fluoride rinse before bed. This is a great additional step you can take in preventing decay.

Proper brushing technique is more important than toothpaste itself when it comes to removing plaque from the teeth. Using too much toothpaste leads to a higher likelihood of your child ingesting too much fluoride which could lead to permanent white spots on the developing adult teeth.

We know that children can be a little anxious about visiting the dentist. There are some great children’s books out there about going to see the dentist. Start reading them to your child at a young age to get them excited about the dentist. If you have dental fears yourself, try your best not to let your child pick up on your fear. If you are not established with a general office yourself that you feel your child would enjoy, looking for a Pediatric Dentist is a great way to make sure you’re taking your child somewhere that caters to children.

If you have any questions or concerns or want to learn more, Dr. Dunn is always happy to discuss them with you—any time of year! We can’t wait to see you and your family in our office again soon.

There’s something special about customizing the elastics on your braces to fit your unique personality. Once you embrace your braces (no pun intended) you’ll realize how many color options and combinations there are to choose from. Although you’ll have a fantastic smile afterward, you won’t have this level of customizability once your braces come off, that’s for sure!

Adding flair to your braces isn’t what all patients are looking to do (like those opting for clear aligners or ceramic braces), but it’s part of the fun of traditional metal braces! Many of our patients ask Dr. Curtis Dunn to have their elastics match the colors of their favorite sports teams or their school, but how about changing your elastics to match holiday colors?

Here are some options to consider:

• Valentine’s Day – Red and pink
• Easter – Pink, blue, and violet
• Halloween – Orange and black
• Christmas – Red, green, and white
• Saint Patrick’s Day – Green and white

There are a few colors that some people choose to avoid. But if you’re trying to make your teeth stand out in a crowd, the following suggestions need not apply!

• Brown or Green – can be mistaken for food being stuck in your teeth
• Black – might look like a rotten tooth if someone isn’t looking hard enough
• White – Some patients think it will make their teeth look whiter, but in fact it can make your teeth appear yellower than they actually are. White elastics can also stain easily.
• Yellow – accentuates the yellowness of your enamel

Since changing the color of your elastics has no effect on the actual orthodontic treatment process, the idea is to have fun and add a personal touch. So, next time you get your elastics changed at our Woodbury or Cottage Grove office, why not wear your braces boldly and opt for something festive?

Valentine’s Day is the holiday to celebrate all the treasured relationships in your life. It’s a time to honor love in all shapes and forms with cards, social gatherings, and sometimes even binge eating of sweets.

It’s hard to look the other way when grocery stores and pharmacies are invaded with goodies connected to the Valentine’s Day theme, and especially if you’re on the receiving end of some of these sweets. We get it. In fact, we’re all for it!

However, we also support a cavity-free smile. So in the interest of your dental and general health, and because we think it’s genuinely tasty, Dr. Curtis Dunn recommends an alternative to the Valentine treats you may be accustomed to: dark chocolate. 

Yes, Healthy Chocolate Exists

Studies have shown that dark chocolate is high in flavonoids, an ingredient found in the cocoa beans used to make chocolate. Flavonoids can help protect the body against toxins, reduce blood pressure, and improve blood flow to the heart and brain.

By opting for dark chocolate rather than milk chocolate, you get to reap these benefits! Pretty sweet, right? Just make sure to stick to high-quality dark chocolates that have undergone minimal processing.

Dark Chocolate, AKA Protector of Teeth

Not only does dark chocolate provide some nice benefits for your overall health, it also helps protect your teeth against cavities! According to the Texas A&M Health Science Center, dark chocolate contains high amounts of tannins, another ingredient present in cocoa beans.

Tannins can actually help prevent cavities by interfering with the bacteria that causes them. Think of them as scarecrows for bacteria. They don’t always prevail, but isn’t it nice to have them there?

Smooth Never Sticky

Unlike many popular candies, dark chocolate is less likely to stick in the crevices of your teeth. Chewy, gooey sweets are more likely to hang around in your mouth for longer periods of time, which means they raise the odds of your harboring cavity-creating bacteria.

While some dark chocolates have additives like caramel or marshmallow, it’s best to opt for the plain varieties, which are just as delicious. If you’re feeling festive, though, a dark chocolate with caramel is still better than a milk chocolate with caramel, so that’s the way to go!

While dark chocolate has some pretty sweet benefits, the most important thing to remember (whether you go the dark chocolate route or not), is that moderation is key. That being said, we hope you have fun satisfying your sweet tooth and shopping for treats for your friends and loved ones. Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us at Dunn Ortho!