#OralHealth

Feb 11, 2020
6 min

How We Treat Prolonged Thumb Sucking

Just like people, our teeth, gums and supporting bones are as unique as our DNA. Unlike DNA, teeth, gums, and supporting bones can change throughout a person’s life. Heredity, environment, and certain foods and conditions can affect the position, shape, color, and health of our teeth. That is why it is important to understand that your dental health is, in large part, something you can assume responsibility for and take charge of in order to make sure you are able to keep you

1,682 views

Feb 4, 2020
5 min

7 Tips to Help If Your Child Is Afraid of the Dentist

Many people are scared of going to the dentist. In fact, dental phobia is an actual diagnosis and is treated as an anxiety disorder. Some people will even avoid going to the dentist because of fear. This is unfortunate because dental health can have a major impact on your overall health and regular dental visits are a vital part of keeping your mouth and teeth healthy. Since fear of the dentist is common, it makes sense that your kids will also experience it. Fortunately, the

128 views

Jan 28, 2020
4 min

Local Spring Break Activities, Camps, and Programs

Although many of us are just getting settled back into the routine after the holidays, Spring Break will be here sooner than you think. Our area offers many incredible options for local activities or week-long camps. We have created this list of local programs and activities so you and your children can enjoy a wonderful spring break. It is also a great time to schedule a visit to Jungle Roots Children Dentistry and Orthodontics where your child will experience a unique jungl

272 views

Jan 21, 2020
5 min

Is Xylitol a Healthy Option for Your Teeth?

Xylitol was discovered over a century ago and was approved for human consumption by the FDA in 1963, but it has only recently become popular. It is used as a sugar substitute in some foods, gum, and mints, and in toothpaste and other dental products to work with or replace fluoride. There are many claims about the benefits for your body and dental health. Are any of them true, or is xylitol another passing fad? The truth about Xylitol. Xylitol is a naturally occurring sweeten

483 views

Jan 14, 2020
5 min

Why Should I Get Braces from An Orthodontist?

You may have seen ads for ordering invisible aligners online, or your dentist may offer invisible aligners or braces as a service. It seems easier and possibly cheaper to consider one of these options. Is there a reason that you need to go to an Orthodontist if you just want straight teeth? Believe it or not, there actually are a few excellent reasons for having an Orthodontist oversee your treatment when getting your teeth aligned. Education The first reason is that an Ortho

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Jan 7, 2020
4 min

Why Does Your Child’s Dentist Need Their Medical History?

The first time you bring your child to the dentist, you fill out a form that provides information about their medical history. Some of the questions may seem strange. Why does the dentist need to know if they have allergies, anxiety, language problems, or bite their nails? Believe it or not, every single question on the medical history form directly impacts the way we care for your child. Some of the questions help us determine the best way to interact with your child, others

170 views

Dec 30, 2019
7 min

Smart Financial Planning Can Reduce the Cost of Braces

A new year is beginning, and if anyone in your family will need braces in the next year or two this is a good time to begin planning. With a bit of strategic preparation, you may be able to greatly reduce your out-of-pocket costs. You can also plan to gain the greatest tax benefits. Here are a few things to consider in order to maximize your resources so that orthodontic treatment has the lowest impact on your bank account. Insurance Every insurance plan is different so you w

129 views

Dec 17, 2019
5 min

Are Electric Toothbrushes Better Than Manual Toothbrushes?

The holidays are a time of giving, and many people buy toothbrushes to give as stocking stuffers or a present. Toothbrushes can be a fun gift because they are available with so many interesting and fun designs, especially for kids. While the way a toothbrush looks does not have an impact on oral health, the type of toothbrush you choose could make a difference. You may wonder if it is worth it to pay extra money to buy an electric toothbrush. It doesn’t matter if you use a ma

248 views

Dec 10, 2019
4 min

13 Strange and Interesting Facts from the History of Orthodontics

Braces and orthodontic appliances are a common sight these days. They used to be something only seen on teenagers, but now it is common to see children, teens, and even adults in their fifties and sixties wearing braces. Is orthodontic treatment something only found in modern times? Interestingly, no. History is full of strange and interesting Orthodontic facts. 1. Archeologists have discovered evidence that people in many cultures have used various methods of straightening t

203 views

Dec 3, 2019
5 min

The 10 Most Common Dental Emergencies

If you are a parent, it may be difficult to know what to do if something happens to your child’s mouth. Do you go to the dentist or the ER? How quickly do you need to get it treated? What if it’s a Friday night? Should you wait until Monday? What qualifies as a dental emergency? How in the world are you supposed to find all this out with a child screaming in pain? It is helpful if you already know what to do when this situation arises, so we have created this guide to provide

271 views

Nov 26, 2019
4 min

What Causes Orthodontic Problems? Can they be prevented?

Orthodontic problems are more common than you may think. People are becoming aware of the impact that orthodontic issues can have on their health, and this is reflected in the fact that dental braces are a common sight these days. They used to be something only seen on teenagers, but now it is normal to see children, teens, and even adults in their fifties and sixties wearing braces. With a growing number of people seeking orthodontic treatment, it is valuable to ask: what ca

151 views

Nov 19, 2019
5 min

How Food Impacts Gingivitis

It has become apparent that the food we eat has a significant impact on our health. Consuming the correct amounts of calories and nutrients is necessary, but it also important to get them from the right sources. A healthy diet leads to health, while an unhealthy diet leads to disease and feeling poorly. It may seem obvious, but this is also true for our mouths. What we eat plays an important role in keeping our teeth and gums healthy. Even if we have excellent oral hygiene an

364 views

Nov 12, 2019
5 min

11 Incredible Family Holiday Activities for 2019

As the song says, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” Our weather is lovely, and all the holiday festivities are beginning. Even better, Arizona loves to celebrate, and there are holiday activities and events all around us! We have compiled this list of 11 activities you can enjoy this holiday season, including a wide variety of amazing lights shows, phenomenal performances, and Arizona’s own unique Tumbleweed Tree. From all of us at Jungle Roots Children’s Dentistry

583 views

Nov 5, 2019
5 min

Why Dental Sealants are Important for Your Child’s Health

Dental sealants are an easy and painless way to protect your child’s teeth and prevent cavities. The CDC states that sealants can reduce the risk of decay in molars by nearly 80% for two years after they are applied. In contrast, a child who does not promptly get sealants is three times more likely to get a cavity in their molars before they turn 12 than a child whose molars are covered by sealants. Since cavities are one of the most common health conditions in children and t

109 views

Oct 22, 2019
5 min

What is included in Orthodontic Treatment?

October is National Orthodontic Health Month and it provides an important opportunity to bring awareness to the fact that dental health involves a whole lot more than simply getting your teeth cleaned regularly and filling cavities. Many people may connect braces or invisible aligners to the thought of Orthodontic treatment. However, there can be much more to the process of gaining optimal orthodontic health. Even the process of straightening teeth with braces involves more t

115 views

Oct 15, 2019
5 min

Things You Need to Know to Keep Your Kid’s Teeth Healthy

If you have any children, then you know that there is an overabundance of parenting advice floating around. With all this information, it can be hard to discover things that are most important to know. Even when it comes to healthy teeth, it can be difficult to learn what you need to know to help your child’s mouth stay cavity-free. To help you out, we have created this list of important information every parent needs to know so they do not make mistakes that could harm their

144 views

Oct 8, 2019
6 min

What Is Palatal Expansion and Why Is It Important?

Palatal expansion is simply widening the roof of your mouth, which is called your palate. It is a fairly common orthodontic treatment and there are quite a few reasons that an orthodontist would recommend it. This treatment is sometimes needed to correct the bite in ways that braces alone cannot do, and to allow more room for teeth to erupt. Like many orthodontic treatments, there is an optimal age for it, but anyone can get their palate widened if necessary. Why would palata

3,424 views

Oct 1, 2019
5 min

Canker Sores: Signs, Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

If you have ever had a canker sore, you know how painful they can be. In fact, canker sores can be so excruciating that part of their medical name, oral aphthous ulcers, comes from the Greek word “aphthi” which means “to set on fire” or “to inflame” (1). Unfortunately, one in five people deals with these painful mouth ulcers. Although more common than dental caries (cavities) or periodontal disease, canker sores are still somewhat of a mystery. They have been observed in othe

659 views

Sep 24, 2019
4 min

The Basics About TMJ Disorders and Treatments

TMJ disorders are a common problem. More than 10 million Americans deal with the pain or loss of function associated with TMJ disorders. It seems like people blame its development on many different causes and rely on a variety of treatments. So, what really causes TMJ and can it be healed? TMJ is the abbreviation for the temporomandibular joint, which is the joint where your mandible (jawbone) meets the temporal bone of your skull on each side of your face. Temporomandibular

568 views

Sep 17, 2019
7 min

How do whitening products work and do they harm teeth?

Have you ever whitened your teeth? If so, you are not alone. According to Statista, more than 40 million Americans used a tooth whitening product in 2018. That means that nearly 1 out of every 5 adults tried to gain whiter teeth last year. Tooth whitening is so common that it may never have occurred to you to wonder if it is safe. You may assume that if it is allowed to be sold in stores that must mean it is harmless. What about for kids and teenagers? Is it safe for your 16-

260 views