A bad bite, or malocclusion leads to future problems in the health of your mouth. Mal (Latin: “bad”) occlusion (Latin: “bite”).

But what is malocclusion, and what causes it? Commonly referred to as overbite or underbite, malocclusion is the condition of having poorly aligned teeth, in which the upper and lower teeth don’t fit together properly. There are a number of risk factors that can lead to malocclusion, and fortunately, some of them are preventable. Read on to find out what causes this condition:

Family History – Most often malocclusion is hereditary problem. Jaw and tooth size are inherited traits that can produce a mismatched proportion, such as teeth too large for a small jaw or small teeth that don’t fill the space available in a larger jaw.

Oral Habits – In children, habits such as thumb sucking or tongue thrusting (placing the tongue against or between the teeth while swallowing), or the prolonged use of a pacifier or bottle may cause malocclusion.

Dental Health –Poor dental hygiene can lead to gum disease and tooth decay, which in turn can lead to tooth loss or require extraction (removal by a dentist). The loss of a tooth may cause bordering teeth to drift out of place.

What Causes a Bad Bite to Develop?

Join us for the up-coming Disney movie Cinderella with free tickets, snacks and fun prizes. Watch our Facebook Page for dates &

Patient & Parent Appreciation Event

WHAT’S GOING ON

THIS MONTH

Q. What should I know

about fixed retainers?

A. A fixed retainer is typically

placed on the inside surfaces

of the lower front teeth. This

type of retainer can be

attached to the two canine

teeth or to every tooth in the

area. A fixed retainer is very

efficient at maintaining the

positions of the teeth in

certain situations. If the

orthodontic specialist decides

to place a fixed retainer, it will

make cleaning between your

teeth more difficult. Ask your

orthodontist, dentist, and

dental hygienist for tips and

tricks to help you keep your

teeth clean while wearing a

fixed retainer. With proper

care and regular visits to your

general dentist, your fixed

retainer can be left in place

until lower jaw growth is

completed (early adulthood)

or indefinitely, as indicated.

For more resources on all

types of retainers, visit

BurlesonOrtho.com and

search for the article

“Retainers: What You

Need to Know.”

Ask One of the Specialists

Pick up a temporary tattoo at any Burleson Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry location for your chance to win one of ten $100 VISA Gift Cards this month.

St. Patrick’s Day Photo Contest

Did you know? Up to $2,500 can be dedicated to orthodontic treatment for you or your child. Talk with your company Flex Spending Account manager for details.

Flex Spending Accounts & Taxes

SMILEHEALTH

SMILEHEALTHfor Patients of Burleson Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry / Mar. 2015

®

How do I play a musical instrument with braces?

If you play a woodwind or brass instrument, there may be a short adjustment period after getting braces. The inner part of your lips or cheeks may get sore from the friction caused by the braces. Use relief wax on the areas that are uncomfortable to help with discomfort and for faster healing. Also, your embouchure (or facial muscle positioning) may change slightly during this time. As with anything new, “practice makes perfect”! Just keep at it, and soon enough you won’t remember what it was like to play before braces!

From the Doctor’s Desk

We know orthodontic repair needs are never convenient nor timely. If you are away on vacation, don’t have time to make it to the office, or feel you can take care of the problem yourself, these tips will help you until your next appointment. As a general rule, you should call the office when you experience severe pain or when you have a painful appliance problem that you can’t take care of yourself. Common issues include broken appliances, poking or sharpness from brackets and wires, and general soreness.

While we always recommend you consult us if you experience discomfort, you may be able to temporarily solve many problems yourself until you visit our office. The following solutions may help you relieve discomfort:

General soreness: When you get your braces on, it is very common for you to feel general soreness in your mouth, and teeth may be tender to biting pressures for three to five days. This can be relieved by rinsing your mouth with a warm salt water mouthwash. Dissolve one teaspoonful of salt in 8 ounces of warm water, and rinse your mouth vigorously. If the tenderness is severe, take over the counter ibuprofen or acetaminophen, whichever is more effective for you.

Poking wire: Placing wax on the poking edge of the wire is a great way to alleviate the discomfort.

Loose bracket or band: If your bracket or band is still attached to the wire, you should leave it in place and put wax on it. If the wire comes out entirely, wrap the bracket in a tissue, and bring it to your next appointment.

BRACES & INVISALIGN

Because orthodontists can spot subtle problems with jaw growth or teeth while a child still has primary or “baby” teeth present, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends all children get a check-up with an orthodontic specialist no later than age seven. Some problems are not so subtle, and you may notice them early on.

If you see any of the following signs in your child, please make an appointment immediately. We want to identify any problems as early as possible so that we can implement the appropriate treatment at the appropriate time for your child’s individual needs.Early or late loss of baby teeth; difficulty in chewing or biting; mouth breathing; finger sucking or other oral habits; crowding, misplaced, or blocked-out teeth; jaws that shift or make sounds; speech difficulty; biting the cheek or roof of the mouth; teeth that stick out too far; teeth that meet in an abnormal way or don’t meet at all; upper and lower jaws that don’t line up; grinding or clenching of teeth

If you know a child who might benefit from orthodontic treatment, get in touch with us so we may set up a consultation to determine what type of treatment best meets your needs. Call our office today at (816) 929-6916 and ask to speak with one of our friendly smile specialists.

12 Early Signs of Orthodontic Problems

Plaque-fighting foods that are healthy for your teeth:

Out with friends? On the road? Sometimes, carrying around a toothbrush to keep your pearly whites pearly white isn’t so easy. When brushing and flossing isn’t a convenient option, you can still keep your teeth and mouth clean and feeling fresh, simply by eating delicious, healthy food.

• Sugar-free gum after a meal

• Apples, carrots and celery

• Dairy products (cheese, milk)

• Green tea

• Lots of water (no sugary drinks)

• Strawberries

Home Care Tips for Healthy Smiles

SMILEHEALTH

PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

Orthodontic Repairs On the Go

SMILEHEALTH

Q. Can you explain why my child should have her wisdom teeth removed?

Wisdom teeth are frequently impacted, which means they either do not fully come in, or they come in misaligned. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause a number of problems, the most common:

Infection: When a wisdom tooth only partially erupts, it leaves an opening that bacteria can enter, leading to infection.

Tooth damage: If a wisdom tooth erupts at an odd angle, it can cause damage to nearby teeth. Some wisdom teeth erupt at angles toward or away from second molars, or toward the inside or the outside of the mouth.

Cyst formation: In some cases, a cyst, or fluid-filled sac, forms, and can cause pain as well as damage to the jawbone and tooth roots.

Popular Questions from Patients

Who. Geoff Smart and Randy Street provide a simple, practical, and effective solution to what The Economist calls “the single biggest problem in bus iness today”: unsuccessful hiring. The average hiring mistake costs a company a lot of money and countless wasted hours. This statistic becomes even more startling when you consider that the typical hiring success rate of managers is only 50 percent.

Our Favorite Books & Business Resources

EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

Burleson Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry Saves the Spelling Bee

Thank you to Sabrina and Peyton for the opportunity to sponsor the Park Hill Spelling Bee and good luck to all of the students participating. More photos can be seen on our Facebook Fan Page.

From Fox 4 News – KANSAS CITY, Mo.

Students in one metro school district nearly missed a chance to compete in a Spelling Bee this year. But one metro doctor, with his own Spelling Bee memories, stepped up to make the save.

Peyton Wiewel, 13, attends Lakeview Middle School in Park Hill. She has participated in spelling bees since the fourth grade.

“Being able to do well under pressure and being able to control myself under pressure, I think it was a good learning experience for me, too,” said Peyton, who spends 17-20 hours a week studying.

Last year she even made it all the way to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington D.C.

“It’s a very intense process,” said Peyton’s mom, Sabrina, who realized the Park Hill School District might not have a spelling bee this year within 24 hours of the deadline to sign up. “There were several parents who realized we had not at this point gotten the Spelling Bee lists; we had not been made aware that there was going to be a spelling bee.”

Newspapers typically sponsor spelling bees, and according to Park Hill School District, their spelling bees are usually sponsored by the St. Joseph`s Press. This year, they lost the sponsorship.

“I had such a good experience last year, and I wanted to be able to do that again, and it was just heartbreaking learning that maybe I wouldn’t have that opportunity again,” said Peyton.

Sabrina went to the school board meeting and says the school district was on board and decided to sign up and worry about the funding later.

The School District needed around $6,000, so several parents reached out to various businesses in the community. Dr. Burleson, who is known for his generous contribution to kids around the metro, was on that list.

“The spelling bee seemed like a good fit for things that could help support kids and encourage them to learn, read, and expand their vocabulary,” Dr. Burleson said.

“He immediately wrote back within about three minutes and said ‘can I please go ahead and cover the entire bee?’” said Sabrina.

Dr. Burleson says Sabrina’s email about the spelling bee hit close to home for him.

“I actually got knocked out of the spelling bee in sixth grade on the word ‘surgery’ and I went on later to get a doctorate in dental surgery, so we always kind of joke about that,” said Dr. Burleson.

“Some child in Park Hill’s School District is going to have a chance to go,” said Sabrina.

Park Hill will hold its district-wide bee at Park Hill South High School this Saturday, at 2 P.M.

“Some child in Park Hill’s School District is going to have a chance to go,” said Sabrina.

Pregnancy and Oral Health, What You Need to Know

Maintaining your oral health is an important part of keeping your entire body well, and never more so than when you are pregnant. If you are pregnant or considering pregnancy, make a check-up appointment with your dentist, and remember to raise the issue of your oral health at prenatal appointments with your physician. Here are a few oral health issues you should be aware of during pregnancy.

Gingivitis & Gum DiseaseThe primary issue to avoid during pregnancy is gum disease, due to its link to premature birth. The precursor to gum disease is gingivitis, a condition in which plaque buildup on teeth irritates the gums, making them red, swollen, and sensitive. The high levels of hormones in the bloodstream brought on by pregnancy exaggerate your gums’ reaction to irritation from plaque.

Tooth Decay - Excessive morning sickness can also contribute to tooth decay, as the stomach acids introduced to the mouth during vomiting wear away the protective enamel coating on the teeth.

Loose Teeth - Another risk faced during pregnancy is loosening teeth. The large amounts of hormones in your bloodstream can have an adverse affect on the bones and ligaments that create the foundation of your teeth, weakening them to the point that teeth may loosen.

Parenting Tips for Dental Health Many patients have new dental insurance

benefits that start this year. To help you maximize your benefits and reduce your stress, here are some helpful tips for you and your family.

Know Your Benefits and Options – most patients are unaware of their dental plan’s specific benefits and limitations. Knowing these important areas of your plan can help prevent unwanted insurance hassles after your treatment is started. It sounds simple, but when you take some time to read through your member benefit handbook, you can quickly discover your co-insurance amount, your annual deductible amount, the number of cleanings covered per year, how often X-rays are allowed and the annual maximum benefit. Other areas of importance are whether or not your dependents are covered and when their

benefits begin.

Circle any areas that are confusing to you and write down specific questions you have then call your dental benefits manager and get answers to your questions. When you take time on the front end, you won’t be surprised with a large dental insurance bill after your treatment.

Be clear on your expectations before starting dental treatment for yourself or your child. Most dental plans cover diagnostic and preventive care at 80-100%. As treatments increase in cost and complexity, your plan will typically pay a lower percentage of the total cost.

Work with Your Dentist or Orthodontic Specialist – when you have major dental work or orthodontic treatment planned, ask your doctor for a pre-treatment estimate. Many doctors are willing to work out a payment plan or offer third-party financing so that you can split the total cost into convenient monthly payments.

The Annual Maximum – most plans have an annual maximum that refreshes at the beginning of the new year. The new year might be an excellent time to schedule a dental procedure that you’ve been putting off or has been causing you problems with pain, sensitivity, discomfort or chewing function. Remember to avoid delaying any recommended treatment by your dentist or orthodontic specialist as the condition will likely worsen and become more expensive to treat later.

Dental Insurance Tips for Patients of All Ages

SMILEHEALTH

INSURANCE & FLEX SPENDING

When you attend one of the Burleson Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry patient appreciation events, you might notice one of our professional photographers or news stations covering the activities. If you want to download one of the photos from our events, simply visit our Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/BurlesonOrthodotics and be sure to tag yourself in our photos for a chance to win more fun prizes!

Practice Events and Raffles Photos

Pappardelle with Shrimp & Asparagus Ingredients: 3/4 pound pappardelle or fettuccine 1 tablespoon olive oil 1/2 pound peeled and deveined medium shrimp (raw) kosher salt and black pepper 2 small shallots, sliced 1/2 to 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper 1 large bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Directions: Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Reserve ¾ cup of the cooking water and drain the pasta. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the shrimp with ¼ teaspoon each salt and black pepper. Cook until browned on one side, 2 to 3 minutes.

Add the shallots and red pepper. Cook, tossing frequently, until the shallots are crisp-tender, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add the asparagus and cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp-tender, 3 to 4 minutes.

Add the pasta, butter, lemon zest, lemon juice, and ½ cup of the reserved cooking water to the shrimp and asparagus and toss to coat. (Add more cooking water as needed to loosen the sauce.) Serve warm.

Travis Stuteville – Tristin is a patient from our office who uses her talents and abilities for the benefit of others. Tristin is a sophomore in high school and is a very talented soccer player. She currently plays club soccer out of St. Louis and has won both national and state titles this year. She was selected as one of the top 65 high school soccer players in the country by Puma and participated in the Puma Women’s Elite Showcase. Recently, she was invited by goalie coach Kat Mertz of the women’s U18 and U20 teams to train with her. She also has been the starting Goalkeeper for the Missouri 95 Olympic Development program.

When Tristin is not showing off her amazing soccer skills, she enjoys helping others learn the sport. Tristin is an integral part of KC Goalkeeping, an organization that teaches goalkeepers in the area how to hone their skills at no charge.

Do You Know Someone Accomplishing Amazing Things? Send Your Story to the Burleson Orthodontics Newsletter at: smile@burlesonortho.com or visit our website at BurlesonOrtho.com and click on Providers That Care to see what local charities and non-profit organizations are looking for volunteers in the Kansas City area. When you choose Burleson you’re choosing an office that makes a difference in our community.

Spectacular Smiles – Amazing Patients!PATIENT OF THE MONTH

SMILEHEALTH

TIPS FROM THE DOCTORS

Delicious Braces-Friendly Recipes

Your Pediatric Dental Specialists in Kansas City

Are you looking for a pediatric dental specialist for your family? The specialists at Burleson Orthodontics

& Pediatric Dentistry are trained to help your child feel at ease during dental appointments. With more

early morning and after-school appointments than any other dental office in Kansas City, our time is not

more important than your time. Guaranteed.

(816) 929-6916 www.BurlesonOrtho.com