SMILEHEALTH

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

WHATS
GOING ON
THIS
MONTH

Ask One of
the Specialists

Patient & Parent

Appreciation Event

Q. What should I know

Join us for the up-coming

Disney movie Cinderella
with free tickets, snacks and
fun prizes. Watch our
Facebook Page for dates &

A. A fixed retainer is typically

St. Patricks Day

Photo Contest
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.

Flex Spending
Accounts & Taxes
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.

about fixed retainers?

placed on the inside surfaces

of the lower front teeth. This
type of retainer can be
attached to the two canine

What Causes a Bad Bite to

Develop?

teeth or to every tooth in the

A bad bite, or malocclusion leads to future problems in the health of

your mouth. Mal (Latin: bad) occlusion (Latin: bite).

certain situations. If the

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 dont 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
dont 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.

area. A fixed retainer is very

efficient at maintaining the
positions of the teeth in
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.

SMILEHEALTH

BRACES & INVISALIGN

Orthodontic Repairs On the Go

From the
Doctors Desk
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 wont
remember what it was like to
play before braces!

We know orthodontic repair needs are never convenient nor timely. If

you are away on vacation, dont have time to make it to the oce, 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 oce
when you experience severe pain or when you have a painful appliance
problem that you cant 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 oce. 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 eective 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.

PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

12 Early Signs of Orthodontic Problems

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.

Home Care Tips

for Healthy Smiles
Plaque-fighting foods that are
healthy for your teeth:

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 childs individual
needs.Early or late loss of baby teeth; diculty 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 diculty; biting the cheek or roof of the mouth; teeth that stick out too far;
teeth that meet in an abnormal way or dont meet at all; upper and lower jaws that dont 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 oce today at (816) 929-6916 and ask to speak with one of our friendly smile specialists.

SMILEHEALTH

Out with friends? On the road?

Sometimes, carrying around a
toothbrush to keep your pearly
whites pearly white isnt so easy.
When brushing and flossing isnt
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

EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

Burleson Orthodontics & Pediatric

Dentistry Saves the Spelling Bee
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.
Its a very intense process, said Peytons 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 wouldnt have that opportunity
again, said Peyton.

Popular Questions
from Patients

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.

Q. Can you explain why my

child should have her wisdom
teeth removed?

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.

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:

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 Sabrinas 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 Hills 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 Hills School District is going to
have a chance to go, said Sabrina.

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.

Our Favorite Books &

Business Resources

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.

SMILEHEALTH

Who. Geoff Smart and Randy Street

provide a simple, practical, and
effective solution to what The
Economist calls the single biggest
p ro b l e m i n b u s i n e s s t o d a y :
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.

INSURANCE & FLEX SPENDING

Parenting Tips
for Dental Health
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 Disease
The 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.

Dental Insurance Tips for Patients of All Ages

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 plans
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 wont 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 oer 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 youve been putting o 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.

SMILEHEALTH

TIPS FROM THE DOCTORS

Delicious Braces-Friendly Recipes

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 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 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 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.

Practice Events
and Raes Photos
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!

PATIENT OF THE MONTH

Spectacular Smiles Amazing Patients!

Travis Stuteville Tristin is a patient from our oce 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 Womens Elite
Showcase. Recently, she was invited by goalie coach Kat Mertz of the womens 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 o 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 youre choosing an oce that makes a dierence in our community.
SMILEHEALTH

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