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This probably doesn’t come as a huge surprise, but kids with bad teeth are often bullied. A study published in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics found that teeth were the number one targeted facial feature!
The study was conducted among 6th grade students in Amman, Jordan and found that a significant amount of bullying in school was due to children’s dental or facial appearance. Other physical features that were targets for bullies were strength and weight. Of the 920 students in the study, about half had been bullied, with more boys reporting it than girls. Students who were bullied were more likely to play hooky from school and to dislike going to school.
About half of the bullying victims knew that they were singled out because of their teeth. Missing teeth, large spaces, “buck” teeth and the color of the teeth were all targeted by bullies. A panel of American orthodontists agreed with the findings of this study, saying that the experiences of the children in Jordan can easily translate to American 6th graders.
Dealing with bullies is difficult and complex. However, dealing with crooked teeth in an adolescent is something that can be resolved. Some parents avoid orthodontics for their children because they think that braces are only for making a smile look prettier. Yes, dental braces can give someone a more beautiful smile, but they also help preserve healthy teeth and gums. Teeth that are crooked or overlapping are difficult to keep clean which leads to more tooth decay and early onset of gum disease. Orthodontic treatment for your child gives them the gift of a lifetime of better dental health – and less worry about bullying.
Find out more about your options for orthodontic treatment, including clear braces like Invisalign, by contacting Rothfus Family Dental in Medford, OR today at 541-858-7994.
We are living in the digital age and digital dentistry is here to stay.
Most state-of-the-art dental practices now use digital x-rays, also called radiographs, instead of the old fashioned x-ray films. Digital x-rays give sharp, beautiful images instantly. No dark room with chemicals and waiting for the film to develop and the digital technology has reduced the radiation to incredibly low levels. Flying across the country actually exposes you to more radiation than a full set of digital dental x-rays. The fact that the images are instant
Digital technology has also come to a part of the dental visit that many patients dread – the impression. No more hard trays filled with goop that makes you gag. Digital technology allows dentists to scan the inside of the mouth, providing a cleaner and more accurate impression of the teeth. This digital impression can be used in-office, along with CEREC, to create a dental crown, inlay or onlay, in just one visit. CEREC utilizes CAD/CAM technology to create accurate and aesthetically beautiful restorations.
Digital technology in the dental office includes keeping those digital x-rays and digital impressions in digital patient files. This is truly an exciting time to be a dentist and each of these digital enhancements has only made dental visits more comfortable for the patient.
Find out more about our digital dental office and how high tech dentistry can make your visit more pleasant. Please contact Rothfus Family Dental today at 541-858-7994 to schedule your appointment.
Periodontal disease has been linked to many severe health conditions including diabetes and heart disease. Researchers in Germany appear to have found a correlation between periodontal disease and a type of oral cancer.
Recently published in the journal Head and Face Medicine, the study found that the monitoring and treatment of chronic periodontitis might help reduce a potential cause of oral squamous cell carcinoma. “Our findings underline the necessity of implementing a periodontal regime in the dental office,” said study author, Dr. Maximillian Moergel.
Chronic gum disease, periodontitis, is one of the most prevalent infections worldwide and Dr. Moergel sees patients that have oral cancers but do not have the usual history of drinking and smoking. He stated, “Thus we were interested in a possible relationship of chronic periodontitis and the development of cancer.”
This study found a link between periodontal disease and oral squamous cell carcinoma. Importantly, the study also found that treating periodontal disease could perhaps reduce the incidence of the oral cancer.
An oral cancer screening is an important part of every oral examination. Patients at higher risk for oral cancer include: older men, people who smoke, people who drink alcohol and people who have an oral HPV infection. Patients with chronic gum disease should also seek regular screenings and should treat their gum disease to reduce risk.
Please contact Rothfus Family Dental in Medford, OR today at 541-858-7994 to schedule your next visit.
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