Dr. Michael's Back-to-School Tips to Keep Your Child’s Winning Smile

As you and your child bid goodbye to the last few days of vacation and the oozing summer heat, it is time to make a checklist and say hello to school once again. As you cross out some of the things on your list like new school supplies, wardrobes and shoes, be sure your child is armed with healthy teeth and gums too all throughout the school year.

Tooth decay is one of the biggest health issues among children, accounting for over 51 million hours of school time lost every year. As a whole, poor oral health can negatively affect your child’s ability to learn and concentrate in school. Oral conditions can interfere with your young one’s nutrition, speech, self-esteem and daily activities.

At Dr. Michael’s Dental Clinic, we encourage all parents and children to practice healthy oral habits at home and at school.  Your child's back-to-school dental checklist should include the following.

Regular dental examination
You may not realize that your child is having a dental problem, so regular checkups are important to diagnose, prevent or treat your child’s oral condition. Your pediatric dentist may suggest fluoride treatments or sealants to save your child from pain and lost school time.

Healthy school snacks
Cut back on sugary foods and drinks. Choose healthier snack options for your child including grains, milk, cheese, raw vegetables, yogurt or fruit.

Handy dental kit
Pack a dental health kit in your child’s lunchbox. You can make it fun by letting your child select his or her own toothbrush. Don’t forget to include a toothpaste and a floss in the kit.

Mouthguard
Ask your dentist about the right mouthguard for your child while participating in sports, PE classes and other playground activities. A properly fitted mouthguard can prevent serious and oftentimes irreparable inquiries to the teeth, gums and jaw.

Make sure your child is smile-ready and happy to get back to school. If you wish to make an appointment with our specialist pediatric dentists, call Dr. Michael’s Dental Clinic at 04-3397700 today.

Invisalign Clear Braces in Dubai

Invisalign is a clear alternative to traditional braces. It makes use of virtually invisible and removable teeth aligners tailored for you to straighten your teeth, without the pain and inconvenience of wires and brackets.

While there are many other options to correcting crooked and misaligned teeth, no other treatment offers the same level of comfort and convenience as Invisalign. It can treat a wide range of conditions such as crowding, gaps, crossbite, underbite, overbite and buck teeth.

Transform your smile without having to change your lifestyl
See its advantage over metal braces.

The Best & Worst Food For Your Teeth

The food that we eat can have a big impact on our oral health. Some foods and beverages invite tooth decay while others help fight the buildup of plaque.

What is plaque and why do we need to get rid of it?

Plaque is a thin, invisible film of sticky bacteria that covers the surfaces of your teeth. When starches or sugars from the food you eat come in contact with plaque, it releases acids that attack the enamel of your teeth. Relentless attacks can cause the enamel to erode and break down, eventually resulting in cavities.

Here are a few recommendations from the American Dental Association (ADA).

The Truth About Root Canal And Cancer

While there are plenty of undisputable resources about the effectiveness of root canal (endodontic) treatment, misinformation continues to circulate online.  Dr. Michael’s Dental Clinic, along with our American Board Certified Endodontist Dr. Yasmin Al-Zoubaidy, continuously work on educating the public about root canal safety while debunking the myths that root canals cause cancer or other health problems.

To date, there has not been one valid, scientific evidence linking root canal-treated teeth and disease elsewhere in the body. The American Association of Endodontists (AAE) states that there is no causality between root canals and cancer; just because a person has experienced both doesn’t mean a cause-and-effect relationship exists.

In fact, a 2013 study published in a journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery) found that a patient’s risk of cancer doesn’t change after having a root canal treatment. Additionally, researchers found that patients with multiple endodontic treatments had a 45% reduced risk of cancer.

Researchers found that patients with multiple endodontic treatments had a 45% reduced risk of cancer.

“As dental professionals, we know there is no evidence of a link between root canal treatment and cancer or other diseases,” said AAE President Dr. Gary R. Hartwell. “It is in the best interest of patients to understand there is no valid, scientific evidence linking root canals to such health problems, and also to understand the advancements in modern dentistry that make endodontic treatment predictable, effective and successful.”

Feel free to contact us should you have more questions regarding root canal therapy. For more information about the AAE, visit the Association's website.

A Whole New World of Pain-free Dentistry for Kids

The very thought of dental masks, needles and cold instruments being prodded in the mouth could strike fear in anyone seeking dental appointment. When it comes to our little ones, this fear is much more exaggerated. As a result, your child may not be able to relax or sit still long enough to receive proper dental treatment.

At Dr. Michael’s Dental Clinic, we understand that dental anxiety can be a stumbling block to ensuring your child’s oral health. That is why we make use of the best, most up-to-the-minute dental technologies available to put your child’s safety and comfort above all.

With the dawn of Lasers in Dentistry, the feeling of anxiety can now be well replaced with those of fun and excitement.

No shots. No drills. No fear.

Dr. Michael’s offers Waterlase, the most advanced technology in laser dentistry. It not only replaces the much-feared drill; it also eliminates the use of needles.

In the practice of our pediatric dentist Dr. Imneet Madan, our younger patients feel exceptionally comfortable. A lot of them describe their experience as nothing more than an occasional faint sensation of popping on the tooth.

The laser can be related to the feeling of popcorn bursting. Some kids would say they imagine Star Wars-shooting at the bacteria.

“The laser can be related to the feeling of popcorn bursting. Some kids would say they imagine Star Wars-shooting at the bacteria,” says Dr. Imneet.

This technology uses a unique, powerful interaction of air, water and laser energy that reduces the need for anesthesia (shots) when performing routine dental procedures. Unlike the much-dreaded dental drill, this laser does not require direct contact with the tooth surface. It works at pinpoint precision without heat, vibration or pressure.

No Pain. No Trauma.

The same technology is applicable to soft tissue procedures where the laser promises precise cutting, faster healing and no bleeding.

When it comes to saving severely decayed baby teeth, the use of the diode laser has been pioneered by Dr. Imneet. So far, the success rate of her laser-assisted root canal treatments comes close to 100 percent. She firmly believes in performing this procedure even on baby teeth that would otherwise be indicated for early extractions. Early loss of baby teeth could later on subject a child to more complex orthodontic procedures.

We recommend a dental check-up every six months for optimum oral health. With the best technology and providers in hand, we invite you and your child to come and visit Dr. Michael’s Children’s Dental Center.

Do You Grind Your Teeth?

Do you often wake up with headaches or shooting pains in your jaw? You could be gnashing your teeth while you’re sleeping.

Teeth grinding or bruxism is common in both children and adults and not a lot of people may realize they’re doing it until their dentists spot the symptoms.

The American Dental Association says that bruxism often occurs in the early part of the night and can even disturb sleep partners. Bruxism may be mild and occasional or aggressive and frequent. While others brux loudly, others clench and grind their teeth without making a sound.

What are the symptoms of bruxism?

• dull headaches
• jaw soreness
• teeth that are painful or loose
• fractured, broken  or chipped teeth

No exact explanation for why we grind our teeth has been established, but it is believed bruxism can occur due to stress and anxiety, irritation in the mouth, improper bite or misaligned teeth.

What can happen to a bruxist’s mouth?

• Frequent clenching of the teeth can cause wearing away of the tooth enamel
• Tooth sensitivity
• Teeth grinding can damage dental works like bridges and implants
• The pressure from gnashing can cause cracks or fractures in the teeth
• Teeth can become painful or loose
• Bruxists can suffer from facial pain and overall facial fatigue
• Pain in the temporomandibular joint - the joints on each side of the mouth that connect the lower jaw to the skull

How can you address the problem?

If you experience any of these signs and symptoms, it’s best to see your dentist. Your dentist will examine your teeth and look for evidence of grinding. He or she will look for broken, chipped or loose teeth and poor tooth alignment. Your dentist will also check the muscles in and around your jaw and your jaw joints.

Based on your dentist’s diagnosis, one or more treatment options can be recommended.

Treatments may include the following:

• A custom-made nightguard that you can wear while you’re sleeping.
• Orthodontic correction - if bruxism is caused by misaligned teeth or a bad bite
• Stress reduction - if the problem is caused by anxiety
• Lifestyle changes - cut back on caffeine, alcohol, stop smoking

Are you or anyone you know has bruxism? Please share your story here.

What You Need To Know About Dental Crowns

Crowns are one of the more common restorations available to keep our teeth’s appearance and functionality.

If you've been told that you need to get one done and still have some questions in your mind, our specialist prosthodontist Dr. Omar Aldaoudi offers you a list of answers to the most frequently asked questions about crowns.