Posts Tagged ‘Pediatric Dentistry’
American Association of Pediatric Dentists RECOGNIZES Airway Health as ESSENTIAL. By: Dr. Nishita Ondhia
In most children who are otherwise healthy, narrowing of the upper airway is due primarily to enlarged tonsils and adenoids. However, children must be screened for signs and symptoms of sleep disordered breathing as inadequate airway size, inadequate neuromuscular tone of the airway muscles or both may contribute to unideal airway health. The FAIREST 6…
Read MoreConsequences of Pacifier Use. By: Dr. Nishita Ondhia
As a new parent, we are often in a daze. Suddenly, parents are faced with a tremendous responsibility and it can often be overwhelming. One decision to be made is if a pacifier is needed or is helpful. There are many perspectives to this decision and one must do what is best for their new…
Read MoreTongue Ties – to release or not? By: Dr. Nishita Ondhia
There are four functions of the tongue: Suck/Swallow (mastication) Speech (phonetic articulation) Structure (growth and development) Sleep (breathing and proper oral posture Correct Oral Rest Posture has 3 criteria: Tongue is Up (against the palate, the roof of the mouth) Lips are together and Sealed Nasal Breathing (air in and out via the nose)…
Read MoreEpigenetic Orthodontics By Dr. Nishita Ondhia
As an airway dentist, our focus is to assess breathing problems by examining the structure and function of the mouth, jaw and nasal passages. The tools we use to provide treatment options include dental appliances, orthodontics, myofunctional therapy and most exciting is epigenetic orthodontics What is Epigenetic Orthodontics? It is early interventional orthodontic therapy to…
Read MoreThe Proper Swallow By: Dr. Nishita Ondhia
For far too long, the dental and medical communities have not given enough credit to one of the most amazing muscles in the body, the tongue. The tongue is a muscular organ in the mouth. It is known for its function in digestion, taste, speech, breathing and oral hygiene. Interestingly, the tongue has a…
Read MoreCase Study: Female, 5 years old, blocked airway By: Dr. Nishita Ondhia
Chronic grinding, snoring, and emotional outbursts in children may point to Sleep Disordered Breathing. Learn how early diagnosis and airway-focused treatment can restore nasal breathing and improve long-term health. Female 5y old Severe grinding at night Heavy snoring Habitual mouth breather Gasps for air Dark circles under the eyes Small for her age, failure to…
Read MoreWhy is the Dental Profession Obsessed with Maxillary Expansion? By: Dr. Nishita Ondhia
Why is the dental profession obsessed with maxillary expansion? You hear it all the time, “my child has an orthodontic expander. I am not sure it is needed, I think it is a money grab! Honestly!” Or you hear, “My orthodontist says expansion is not needed, but all my child’s friends have an expander.” So…
Read MoreBreathe Right, Grow Right: How Airway Health Shapes Your Smile and Well-Being By: Dr. Nishita Ondhia
Why is a dentist talking about breathing? Because function affects form and form affects function. How we breathe affects our craniofacial development, it affects how our face actually forms. What?!! Yes, it is true! As a practicing health care professional in restorative dentistry for almost 27 years, it has become clear that the body wants…
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