Thumb-sucking and your child's teeth, from the Smilezone staff

Lots of parents have asked us whether it’s healthy for children to suck thumbs (or, less frequently, fingers). If you’ve got a thumb-sucker in the house, you are not alone. Research says, in fact, that between 75- and 95 percent of infants suck their thumbs.

As a parent, you're probably thinking: is this anything to worry about?

In most cases, no. Sucking is a natural reflex for infants, and can provide security and contentment - as well as relaxation. It’s a habit that most children grow out of between the ages of 2 and 4.

Should you need to help your child end his or her habit, follow these guidelines:

1. Always be supportive and positive. Instead of punishing your child for thumb-sucking, give praise when he doesn't suck.
2. Put a band-aid on his thumb or a sock over his hand at night. Let him know that this is not a punishment, just a way to help him remember to avoid sucking.
3. Start a progress chart and let him put a sticker up every day that he doesn't suck his thumb. If he makes it through a week without sucking, he gets to choose a prize (trip to the zoo, new set of blocks, etc.) When he has filled up a whole month reward him with something great (a ball glove or new video game); by then the habit should be over. Making your child an active participant in his treatment will increase his willingness to break the habit.
4. If you notice your child sucking when he's anxious, work on alleviating his anxiety rather than focusing on the thumb-sucking.
5. Take note of the times your child tends to suck (long car rides, while watching movies) and create diversions during these occasions.
6. Explain clearly what might happen to his teeth if he keeps sucking his thumb.

However, if your child keeps sucking after he or she has gotten permanent teeth, it’s time to take a closer look. If your child sucks his thumb aggressively, putting pressure on the inside of his mouth or his teeth, it could cause problems with tooth alignment and proper mouth growth. If you’re worried, please give us a call and Drs. Andrew and Caouette will help assess the situation, and provide tips for how to help your child break the habit.

Ask Drs. Andrew and Caouette: Who benefits from Invisalign®?

We've discussed the health benefits of straight teeth before. Today, thought, we thought we'd follow-up and discuss one of the best ways you can accomplish a straight, beautiful smile at our convenient office in Edmonton: Invisalign.

Invisalign treatment at The Smilezone can give you the beautiful straight teeth you've always wanted. It works through a series of invisible, removable, and comfortable aligners that no one can tell you're wearing. So you can smile more during treatment as well as after. Drs. Andrew and Caouette were some of the first general dentists in Canada to be trained and certified in the use of these invisible aligners.

Not only are the aligners invisible, they are removable, so you can eat and drink what you want while in treatment. Plus, brushing and flossing are no problem. They are also comfortable, with no metal to cause mouth abrasions during treatment. And no metal and wires usually means you spend less time in our office getting adjustments.

If you have questions about Invisalign, or would like to find out if you are a candidate for Invisalign treatment at our office, please give us a call at (877) 301-3380.

We hope you enjoyed your weekend!

The Smile Zone, Edmonton's CEREC providers

Our staff at the Smilezone in Edmonton are pleased to offer our patients CEREC dentistry. CEREC, a technology for restoring damaged teeth, can be completed in a single visit to our office and makes your teeth stronger and more beautiful, all while keeping your teeth looking healthy and natural.

You're probably thinking: All right, so how does CEREC work, exactly?

Well, to start out, Dr. Rob Andrew will meet with you to discuss the details of the procedure. During the procedure, one of our doctors will apply a thin layer of reflective powder onto your tooth and will use a special camera to take a photo of your tooth. Using Computer Aided Design (CAD), the photo serves as an optimal impression. The restoration will then be designed by the computer on this impression. Then CEREC will use a diamond bur and disk to create your restoration piece out of a high-tech ceramic. Finally, the ceramic restoration is bonded to your tooth using state-of-the-art adhesive dentistry.

Drs. Rob and Jerome are Edmonton's local CEREC dentists. Give us a call at (780) 989-5733 to schedule an appointment for CEREC treatment and have a great rest of the week!

At The Smile Zone, easy access to your account information

At The Smilezone, we embrace new technology, whether it is through the innovative orthodontic and cosmetic treatments we offer, our high-tech web site and social networks, or our modern office conveniently located in Edmonton.

Did you know that patients of Drs. Rob and Jerome have access to their account 24 hours a day, seven days a week—all through our website? You can look up your appointments and all of your account details at your convenience, from the comfort of your own home! You can even receive appointment reminders through email or text messages!

You, too, can sign up for this convenient service on our web site by clicking on the "Patient Login" button on our homepage. Please give us a call at (780) 989-5733 if you have any questions about getting started and have a great weekend!

Drs. Rob and Jerome discuss the benefits of dairy

As the summer quickly approaches, the days get longer and the temperatures gradually begin to climb in Edmonton, there’s nothing more refreshing than getting some ice cream, a milk shake or a glass of cold milk to cool off. June is a great time for our team at The Smilezone to remind you that dairy foods should be a part of your balanced diet.

After all, a 2008 study found that regular consumption of dairy products, such as milk, cheese and yogurt, can actually lower your chances of contracting periodontal disease (also known as gum disease).

Gum disease is caused by a bacterial infection in the mouth that affects the gums and jaw. Gum disease results in a loss of teeth and bone, and has been connected to certain cases of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory disease and osteoporosis. Drs. Rob and Jerome will tell you eating dairy is not just healthy for building strong bones, but is essential for maintaining a strong, healthy mouth.

For more information about which dairy foods are best for keeping your teeth healthy, please give us a call at (780) 989-5733. Enjoy the weekend everyone!