10 kids' health issues to watch this year, from Dr. Andersen

Would you believe it, it's almost May! This is a great time to remind our parents about the various kids' health issues and how you can avoid them. In late 2009, KidsHealth.org published its annual list of “10 Kids’ Health Issues to Watch” this year and what they mean to you.

They include:

• Earliest Signs of Autism Identified in Babies

• Obesity and Kids: What Parents Should Understand

• Many Kids Missing Out on CHIP Benefits

• H1N1 Flu Pandemic Affecting Kids the Hardest

• Texting & Driving: Just Say No

• The Importance of Vitamin D

• The Toll of Constant Social Networking

• The Impact on Concussions

• Pregnancy, STDs Increasing Among U.S. Teens

and...

• Smoking: Good News and Bad News

Dr. Andersen and our staff encourage you to read the entire article in its entirety! Have a great weekend!

Dr. Andersen wants to know: what helps you relax at our office?

Trust Dr. Andersen when he says he understands that not everyone is always thrilled to visit their orthodontist. But at W. Clark Andersen DDS, we strive to bring you the best and most comforting experience at each of your visits. With offices in Brigham City and Garland/Tremonton, Dr. Andersen is a trusted orthodontist.

Today, we’d like to know: What is it about Dr. Andersen or our team - or our office ambience - that makes you comfortable or puts you at ease? Is it something about our pleasant office environment? Our friendly staff or Dr. Andersen himself? Let us know by posting here or on our Facebook page!!

AAO and the Moms For Mouth Guards Campaign, from Dr. Andersen

Last week, our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists posted a great video about Moms For Mouth Guards, a program promoting the importance of mouth guards for our kids' sports activities. Through the Moms For Mouth Guards Campaign, football great Emmitt Smith and the AAO are educating parents and coaches about the importance of wearing mouth guards and other protective gear while kids are out on the field. The campaign encourages parents and coaches to take the Moms For Mouth Guards Pledge to keep their young athletes safer on the field. For every pledge received, the AAO makes a donation to the National Alliance of Youth Sports.

The video above is especially important for our sports enthusiasts in treatment at W. Clark Andersen DDS who are partaking in sports such as lacrosse, baseball, soccer and skateboarding this spring. If you have any additional questions about protecting your mouth, please see our previous blog posts or give us a call at (435) 723-3272.

Dr. Andersen wants to know: are there teeth grinders in your house?

Grind, grind, grind … grind. If you live with a teeth grinder, you may be familiar with this unpleasant sound, especially recently. A recent study published in the journal Head & Face Medicine in March suggests that people—adults and kids—faced with stress tend to cope by grinding their teeth. In addition, the Chicago Dental Society suggests that since the recession began in 2007, teeth grinding, or bruxism, has been on the rise.

The Chicago Dental Society surveyed more than 250 members about the connection between stress and oral health. Nearly 75 percent of dentists said their patients reported increased stress over the past year, largely due to the economic recession.

During stressful times, teeth grinding can be a nuisance that causes headaches and sleep problems, but it also can cause lasting problems for your teeth and gums, including chipped teeth, worn enamel, chronic pain, or even TMJ, a painful jaw disorder.

The first step of recovering from teeth grinding is noticing the problem. Symptoms of teeth grinding include:

• Sensitivity in the teeth
• Tightness or pain in the jaw
• Dull headaches, earaches, or facial pain
• Chipped, worn down, or loose teeth

An important thing to remember is that people frequently grind their teeth in response to stress, and taking measures to reduce or eliminate stress can help solve the problem. If the teeth-grinder in your house can’t stop, schedule an appointment to see us by giving us a call. Dr. Andersen and our team at W. Clark Andersen DDS can help determine the cause of the problem.

Have a great weekend!