A Head Start To Children’s Dental Health

By Melissa Gautier

Known to his patients as “Dr. A,” Dr. Adeel Khan is a board-certified pediatric dentistry and the owner of Happy Chompers Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. A. provides excellence in dental care for infants, kids, and teens in a cheerful, family-friendly environment. He thoroughly enjoys connecting with kids and supporting them in their journey toward healthy, happy smiles.

The Happy Chompers team acknowledges and upholds the trust parents place in them when caring for their children. Their non-traditional, holistic approach to comprehensive pediatric dental health makes them a favorite of kids and parents. They focus not only on the teeth, but evaluation of the airway, sleeping habits, diet, oral habits, growth and development of the jaw, and the oro-facial complex to determine root causes of any issues.

Dr. A recommends scheduling a child’s first dental appointment during infancy and by the time they get their first tooth. This allows a jumpstart to introducing good oral health habits and reducing any future dental anxiety.

If an infant has trouble latching on and breastfeeding, swallowing, or breathing and airway difficulties, it’s possible they may have a lip and/or tongue tie that is hindering their ability to perform normal oral functions. As they get older, speech and word pronunciation can be hindered. Early detection is key. Dr. A wants to ensure children have a full range of tongue and lip motion for improving the way they eat, speak, and breathe. His years of specialized training and expertise treating TOTs and airway deficiencies helps to prevent future developmental and dental issues.

Parents often ask Dr. A. about preventing cavities in their children’s teeth. “Cavities are a multifactorial process,” he said. “Poor dental hygiene, a diet consisting of sugar, carbohydrates, frequent snacking, and dry mouth caused by mouth breathing can put any child at high risk for developing cavities.” Additionally, genetics can be a factor. Parents who have a history of cavities can pass on that trait to their children.

Modeling Good Brushing Habits

Dr. A and his team partner with families, educating them on good brushing and flossing techniques. Their goal is to motivate children to develop good dental habits for improving and maintaining a healthy oral environment.

Parents can make brushing teeth a family activity. Allowing a child to choose their own toothbrush is a good start, followed by modeling proper oral care. Role reversal methods are helpful – parents can brush their child’s teeth and the child can brush their parent’s teeth. Knowing and applying proper techniques leads to happy and healthy smiles in the future.