Down syndrome, a chromosomal disorder, results in an extra copy of a certain chromosome. It typically causes features such as a smaller head, facial flattening, short neck, tongue protrusion, eyelid abnormalities, short stature, and decreased muscle tone. Because people with Down syndrome have a chromosomal disorder, they may be at risk for developing abnormalities in just about any part of the body, including the oral cavity. Here are some things to consider about periodontal disease if your child has Down syndrome.

When a young child loses a tooth, it's part of the natural process of dental exfoliation (when primary baby teeth are lost to make space for secondary adult teeth). When an adult loses a tooth, it's usually due to decay or trauma. There's no replacement tooth waiting in the wings (or rather, the gums), so the tooth must be replaced. Dental implants are the superior replacement option, with the implant itself serving as an artificial tooth root.

Dental sedation is a medical procedure that involves the use of medication to induce a state of relaxation or sleep during dental treatment. Sometimes dental sedation services may be necessary for patients who are particularly anxious about dental work or have dental phobias. Dental sedation may be administered orally (by mouth) or intravenously (injected into the bloodstream), depending on the dental treatment required. When Is Dental Sedation Recommended? For dental sedation to be effective, the medication used must be strong enough to reduce your anxiety without putting you in danger of being completely out of control.

If you want straighter teeth but don't want noticeable metal braces, Invisalign braces may be the right solution. Invisalign makes use of plastic aligners to shift the teeth into the desired position. In addition, the clear plastic aligners make it easier to eat, drink, brush, and floss. Another benefit of Invisalign is that unless someone is paying very close attention, they are unlikely to notice the aligners at all. While there are numerous reasons why Invisalign braces may work for you, there are a few things to know before committing to this treatment.

Underbites are a fairly common problem among people who seek out teeth straightening solutions like braces. But for some people, underbites go beyond a few millimeters of space between where the upper and lower teeth are supposed to meet. When an underbite is severe, it does more than impact your appearance. It can have an overall effect on your health and daily life. Here are three ways that your severe underbite may be impacting you.

To a small child, unfamiliar places often frighten and confuse. When the space is filled with strange adults, bulky machinery, and occasional whirring noises from dental drills, children may be distraught and difficult to soothe. For parents with small children, visits to the dentist can require them to use some combination of cajoling and stern warnings of timeouts or naps to allow the dentist time to complete their examination or treatment.

Gum disease doesn't appear overnight. The signs of impending disease are usually fairly obvious and all it takes is an observant person concerned about their dental health and regular checkups at the dentist to catch them early. Gum disease can be easy to identify if you know what to look for. Read on and find out about the various stages of the disease and how they lead to a progressively more serious problem.

It's fairly logical that anyone who's pregnant should delay major dental procedures until after they've given birth. This covers procedures such as dental implants or oral surgery, but this isn't to say that pregnancy means you shouldn't be going to the dentist. In fact, it's quite the opposite, and there's one dental procedure that's not only entirely safe but becomes even more important when you're expecting a baby. A Greater Relevance

Do you have a fear of going to the dentist? Don't worry, because your fears are valid. Dental phobias are real and can affect people from going to the dentist for even a simple teeth cleaning. Here are some tips for getting over that fear of the dentist. Talk To A Therapist If you have a lot of fears in general and it is preventing you from doing things in your life, such as going to the dentist, consider talking to a therapist.

If you have been missing one or more teeth for a long time then you have probably become used to dealing with the cosmetic ramifications of the situation. Perhaps you routinely cover your mouth when you laugh in an attempt to hide the gaps. However, not having teeth in certain parts of your mouth is so much more than an appearance issue. You could be subjecting yourself to unnecessary hardship simply because you aren't aware of how much things could improve if you invested in substitutes.