Posts Tagged "pediatric"

Wellesley Parade and Picnic

Posted by Drs. Ali on May 23, 2013 in Blogs | 0 comments

Thank you to the Wellesley Celebrations Committee for organizing such wonderful events for the community and the volunteers who support it. We also want to thank the Wellesley Police Department for not only keeping everyone safe this weekend but for also representing our town in the OneFund by selling BostonStrong t-shirts and donating proceeds to those who were affected by the recent Boston Marathon tragedy.

Our tractor float caught a lot of attention this year! It was all thanks to the little smile ambassadors we had on board helping our team promote healthy, happy smiles. The fun continued later at the picnic, where the Wellesley Dental Group tent was a real party! We had face painting and feather extensions, guest appearances from the Tooth Fairy and Chuckles the Dinosaur, and lots of treats for all our young smile ambassadors! Even a little rain didn’t dampen the community spirit, and the night came to a perfect end with some truly spectacular fireworks. We can’t wait to sponsor them again next year!

Spring sniffles can lead to poor oral health

Posted by Drs. Ali on May 17, 2013 in Blogs | 0 comments

After a long winter, spring can literally be a breath of fresh air. However, for some, spring may mean going through countless tissue boxes. Seasonal allergies can mean lots of sneezing, and a lot of congestion, which is usually coupled with “mouth breathing.” While this may seem harmless, a clinical study published in General Dentistry pointed out that there can also be oral health repercussions to mouth breathing.

Mouth breathing, also known as upper airway obstruction, has been shown to cause abnormal facial and dental development, including long, narrow faces and mouths, and gummy smiles. Mouth breathing can lead to lack of saliva in the mouth. Saliva is essential for the reduction of acid and bacteria in the mouth, which causes individuals who lack saliva to end up with gingivitis. Crooked teeth can also be caused by an upper airway obstruction due to poor position of the tongue. Mouth breathers tend to rest their tongue on the roof of their mouths, causing cheek, muscles to relax and rest on the upper teeth. This causes the upper jaw to become more narrow leading to crooked teeth down the line. This condition can lead to poor sleeping habits, and can lead to poor oxygen concentration in the blood stream, resulting in possible high blood pressure-related conditions. Children who suffer from mouth breathing usually do not get enough rest, leading to tiredness throughout the day and lack of concentration on academics.

But no fear! There are possible treatments for mouth breathing, and it is very beneficial to discover this condition early on.  A dentist is able to look for mouth breathing symptoms, including dry, cracked lips, dry mouth, bad breath, snoring and daytime fatigue. Swollen tonsils are also known to be a prominent symptom of this disease. If there is the presence of inflamed tonsils, they can be surgically removed by an ear-nose-throat (ENT) specialist. If one has narrow face and mouth, dentists are able to use expansion appliances to aid in the widening of sinuses and the opening of nasal airway passages. After surgery and orthodontic treatment, patients have been shown to improve in behavior, energy level, academic performance, and peer acceptance.

If you believe that you are a mouth breather, be sure to contact Drs. Ali & Ali and the caring team at Wellesley Dental Group; they will be happy to answer your questions! Contact us today at 781-237-9071 or smile@wellesleydentalgroup.com to set up an appointment and consultation.

References:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100406125714.htm

http://www.webmd.com/allergies/video/josephson-mouth-breathing

We couldn’t have done it without you!

Posted by Drs. Ali on May 10, 2013 in Blogs | 0 comments

Drs. Ali & Ali of Wellesley Dental Group want to thank the community for the wonderful turnout as they conclude their two-week long fundraiser for the One Fund Boston. The fundraiser was held from April 29th through May 10th. Inspired by the phrase, Boston Strong, they wanted to give the community a way to show strength through smiling. As “Smile Ambassadors” their mission was quite clear: give supporters a beautiful smile when they do good for the community. They donated 100% of all proceeds from teeth whitening treatments.

Dental Implants: a Great Alternative to Replacing Missing Teeth

Posted by Drs. Ali on May 7, 2013 in Blogs | 0 comments

If you have missing teeth, dentures are just not comfortable enough, or if you want to keep tooth structure intact, dental implants may be the way to go.

Implants have been considered one of the biggest breakthroughs in dentistry within the past 40 years and have provided an innovative alternative when it comes to replacing missing teeth. Dental implants are made from titanium and other materials that are very compatible with the human body. The titanium implant fuses with the jawbone and acts as a sturdy anchor for the replacement teeth. It is also shaped and colored to blend right in with the rest of your pearly whites.

When going through the process of receiving dental implants, there are three major phases one goes through.

1. The titanium implant is surgically placed into the patient’s jawbone. During this time, dentists recommend that patients should consume soft or cold foods and warm soup during the healing process following the surgery.

2. Next comes the period where the bond surrounding the implants begins the healing process, known as osseointegration. Eventually, the implant combines with the bond and forms a sturdy base for the replacement tooth. This integration usually takes several months to occur.

3. The final step is the placement of the new artificial tooth. For a single tooth, a dentist would customize a dental crown that will serve as the replacement. This crown is picked just so that its color, shape, and size will fit perfectly with the surrounding teeth. Because it takes some time to create this, the dentist will make a temporary crown, bridge or denture in the meantime; this will allow the patient to still be able to eat and speak normally until the permanent replacement tooth is ready.

If you believe that dental implants may be the right option for you, Drs. Ali & Ali and their team at Wellesley Dental Group will be very happy to discuss possible procedures that can be done. Contact us today at 781-237-9071 or smile@wellesleydentalgroup.com to set up a consultation!

References:

MouthHealthy.org

The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

Make your grin pearly white for a good cause!

Posted by Drs. Ali on May 7, 2013 in Blogs | 0 comments

Wellesley Dental Group’s teeth whitening fundraiser is still running at full speed. We’d like to dedicate this post to all those who have already donated to our One Fund fundraiser!  In solidarity with those affected by last month’s Boston Marathon bombings, Drs. Ali & Ali thank you from the bottom of their hearts for the steady influx of donations pouring in from all corners of the community. With your help, we’ve been making a huge impact on the physical and mental well-being of our community. It’s so inspiring to see how quickly our neighborhood has risen to the challenge, and to know that we are taking care of our own. Thank you for setting such an incredible example for the rest of us; together we are Boston Strong!

As you may have heard, Drs. Ali & Ali are taking great strides to rally our community together and help our neighbors in need. Until May 10^th, Wellesley Dental Group will be donating 100% of the proceeds from all whitening treatments to Boston’s One Fund.  If you haven’t heard about this great cause, it’s time to get involved!

The Wellesley Dental Group is offering two whitening options: the Sinsational treatment, in which your smile is brightened by a few shades, and the Custom Home Whitening treatment, in which Dr. Ali creates custom whitening trays tailored specifically to your needs. The suggested minimum donations are $199 and $550, respectively, and will be donated directly to help the marathon victims and their loved ones. We invite you to come in for a free consultation to explore the different options and decide which works best for you. Please call us at (781) 237-9071 or email smile@wellesleydentalgroup.com to schedule an appointment today! For more information about this event, click here.  Our office is open this week Monday-Friday from 8 am to 5 pm, at 5 Seward Road in Wellesley.

Remember, this is the final week of the fundraiser, so if you’ve been thinking that your smile could use a makeover, now is the time to act! A new smile, a new YOU, and a re-newed Boston is exactly what our city needs to regain its footing. Now that spring is upon us, what better way to rejuvenate your oral health, all the while rebuilding the health and unity of our community. And again, to those who have already made a difference, thank you SO much for your continued support!