In fact, the opposite is true, said Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth, an adult and children’s braces specialist. Baby teeth play an important role in a variety of ways, such as maintaining adequate spacing for adult teeth once they begin to erupt.

“The baby teeth act as guides for the adult teeth,” Invisalign provider Dr. Eisenhuth said. “If a baby tooth is lost prematurely, its adult replacement could erupt improperly.”

Other functions of baby teeth include promoting routine jaw bone and muscle development, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.

If your little one loses a baby tooth early as a result of decay or trauma, it is important to schedule a dental visit and ask for treatment recommendations. Your dentist might recommend consulting an orthodontist so a determination can be made as to whether the tooth loss might pose orthodontic problems down the road. Some adult teeth don’t erupt until children are 12 to 14 years old, which provides a significant window in which spacing issues can develop. That could necessitate more intensive orthodontic treatment.

The bottom line is that your child might need a space maintainer for that time between a baby tooth being lost and the adult tooth erupting. Space maintainers come in multiple varieties and typically are constructed from steel, plastic or a combination of both. They can removable or fixed, according to information posted on Colgate’s website.

One instance when a tooth lost prematurely doesn’t result in the need for a space maintainer is the loss of any of the front four upper teeth. That space remains open on its own until the adult teeth erupt, Dr. Eisenhuth said.

If the adult replacement is about to erupt, your dental professional may decide that a space maintainer is unnecessary.

But if a space maintainer is indicated, going that route immediately could save you money on future orthodontic treatment, she said.

“It often is simpler and less costly to use a space maintainer to keep the remaining teeth in their proper position now, rather than turn to orthodontic treatment at a later date to move shifted teeth back into place,” Eisenhuth said.

Caring for Space Maintainers
If your child has been fitted with a space maintainer, there are some steps you can take to ensure it remains functional until it is time to be removed. Your child should not chew gum or eat sticky sweets, which could result in the maintainer becoming dislodged.

Remind your child not to play with the maintainer by tugging on it or pushing it with their fingers or tongue, the AAPD site stated.

Make sure your child cleans the maintainer when brushing and flossing his or her teeth, and keep your child current on dental checkups and professional cleanings.

“The important thing to remember is that we don’t want parents to just assume that they don’t need to take action if their child loses a tooth early,” said Eisenhuth, who treats patients using a variety of types of braces. “Taking no action might be alright. But it might also create greater challenges down the road when it’s time for the child to get braces.”

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It’s a fairly common problem- one in five adults experience teeth sensitivity- but there are some measures that can be taken to help alleviate it.

But before we get to our recommendations for alleviating tooth sensitivity, let’s discuss for a moment what causes it. Here at our Eagan orthodontic office, we occasionally get patients who complain of sensitivity after getting their braces. There’s a difference between sensitivity and soreness, however. The “sensitivity” that someone new to traditional or invisible braces may experience is short-lived and goes away once the teeth have adjusted to having appliances on them, says Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth.

That lingering sensitivity that comes with eating sweets and hot or cold foods is what we’re talking about today. The American Dental Association lists the following as the primary causes:

• Cavities
• Chipped or cracked teeth
• Worn tooth enamel

Worn tooth enamel can be the result of brushing your teeth too vigorously, eating highly acidic foods, or simply by the aging process, Dr. Eisenhuth says.
How do these things lead to sensitivity? Healthy teeth have porous tissue called dentin that tooth enamel and your gums protect. Dentin can become exposed if your gums recede or your teeth erode. Little holes in the dentin, called tubules connect to the nerve and trigger pain when they become irritated by some foods and beverages.

“Because this is such a common problem, many makers of oral hygiene products have created products designed specifically to alleviate sensitivity,” she says.

Desensitizing toothpastes and rinses, soft-bristled tooth brushes, and even dental floss for sensitive gums are available over-the-counter.

“If over-the-counter products don’t seem to be doing the trick, you should speak to your dentist to see if there is a professional-grade product available,” says Dr. Eisenhuth who specializes in child and adult orthodontic treatment.

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We have collection boxes in our office and now through Dec. 19, you can donate new, unwrapped toys to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program.Giving not only will make you feel good; you’ll get something in return. Our patients who donate toys will be rewarded with tokens, which you can collect and redeem for great prizes.

“We have a history of taking part in a variety of community-oriented causes, and Toys for Tots is a great way for us to encourage our patients to get involved, too,” says Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth, an Eagan and Mendota Heights braces expert who provides braces for adults and children.In the five years the orthodontic braces office has participated in the program, Dr. Eisenhuth’s patients have really exhibited a generous spirit, says the invisible braces specialist. Last year, local Marines had to come pick up toys three times because so many were donated at our office.

“We have some of the best patients in the world,” Dr. Eisenhuth says. “They understand that times are tough for some people, and they genuinely want to take part in making the holidays better for a child in need. It warms your heart to see that in action.”

Toys for Tots got its start in 1947, when USMCR Maj. Bill Hendricks and a group of Los Angeles Marine Reservists collected and distributed 5,000 new and refurbished toys to underprivileged children.
In 1980, the Marines began collecting and distributing only new toys.Why do the Marines collect and donate toys? The organization’s goal is to deliver a message of hope to needy children, in hope that it prompts them to become “responsible, productive, patriotic citizens,” according to the organization’s website.

Learn More
If you would like more information about the Toys for Tots donations or you are interested in scheduling a free consultation with Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth, visit her website, doctorjennifer.com, or call (651) 406-8100. Dr. Eisenhuth’s office is located at 3340 Sherman Ct. in Eagan.

About Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth
Dr. Eisenhuth attended the University of Minnesota Dental School and graduated in the top of her class. She earned the Minnesota Association of Orthodontic Achievement Award and several academic achievement awards. She entered her orthodontic residency at the University of Minnesota and earned a certificate in orthodontics and a Master of Science degree.
Dr. Eisenhuth is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics.

She takes pride in caring for the orthodontic needs of residents in the Twin Cities- St. Paul and Minneapolis, and their surrounding regions, including Mendota Heights, Inver Grove Heights, Burnsville, Apple Valley and Eagan, Minnesota.
Her office is located at 3340 Sherman Court, Eagan, Minn., 55121.

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While it’s true that orthodontic treatment can create a beautiful smile, many parents seek early treatment for their children to correct problems that are deeper than appearance alone, says Eagan and St. Paul pediatric orthodontics expert Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth.

Overcrowding, underbite, overbite and TMJ correction all can be achieved with orthodontic treatment, in addition to the self-esteem improvements often cited as reasons why parents get braces for their children.
TMJ Disorder- Orthodontic treatment can alleviate pain caused by Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, says the Eagan and Lakeville children’s orthodontics provider.
Through orthodontic treatment we can widen the intercanine width of a child’s upper arch. Doing so enables the mandible to move forward, which allows for forces to be distributed properly. This helps eliminate teeth grinding, jaw clenching and other poor oral habits that cause pain to the TMJ, Dr. Eisenhuth says.
Once this is accomplished, it is important that a splint is made to restore the relationship among the joint, occlusion and muscles.

Overcrowding
If your child’s jaw size and the size of his/her teeth are out of proportion with each other, this can create a crowding issue. Crowded teeth have the potential to cause a variety of problems. Teeth that are crowded together tend to create more crevices in which food can become lodged and bacteria can grow. This opens the door up for the possibility of tooth decay.

Overcrowding can cause some teeth to wear abnormally. It also can create discomfort when biting down. Your Minneapolis dentist can identify teeth crowding in your child and recommend an orthodontist who can correct the problem.

In young children, early intervention is helpful in creating space early on, potentially eliminating the need to have teeth extracted down the road. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children be evaluated by an orthodontist by the time they turn 7.

“Evaluation by age seven makes it possible for me as an orthodontist to treat a variety of issues early while your child is still growing,” Dr. Eisenhuth says. “Thanks to orthodontic technology, we are able to prevent tooth extractions and even surgery a lot of times.”

Overbite
If not corrected, your child’s overbite could result in the improper functioning of your child’s teeth, Dr. Eisenhuth says. Other potential problems include excessive wear on the lower front teeth, damage to the palate and the upper gums, and it could give your child’s upper front teeth an unnatural appearance.

“Correcting this in children is relatively easy because they are still growing and their jaws are more easily manipulated,” she says.

Underbite
Between five and 10 percent of the population has an underbite, according to the 1-800-Dentist website. Underbite tends to be hereditary.

An underbite can result in abnormalities with your child’s facial shape. It also can create difficulties when your child speaks, swallows and chews. Like the other malocclusions listed in this article, underbite can cause teeth to wear in an abnormal pattern and can cause TMJ disorder, Dr. Eisenhuth says.
“The sooner underbite can be identified and treated, the better,” she says. “If left untreated until adulthood, surgery often becomes the only option.”

A Word on Self-Esteem
Just because there are lots of health-related reasons for undergoing orthodontic treatment, it doesn’t mean that the self-esteem and confidence boosting effects of treatment should be discounted, Dr. Eisenhuth says.

“Appearances mean a lot, and children who don’t feel confident about their smile stand to benefit from orthodontic treatment,” she says. “Time and again, we see young patients come in who don’t want to show their teeth when they smile. But when they finish treatment, they smile with confidence. That’s a great feeling.”

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Each year, the event sparks our patients’ competitive spirit in a very generous way. Although we encourage all our patients to bring us their Halloween candy that may damage their orthodontic braces, they pleasantly surprise us each year by donating candy that actually is quite alright for them to eat, says Dr. Eisenhuth, who offers braces for adults and children.

“I think we have some incredibly patriotic patients,” Dr. Eisenhuth says. “When our patients realize we’re shipping the candy to troops serving overseas, I think that prompts them to want to give more.”While those who are in invisible braces treatment such as Invisalign can eat any kind of candy because they can remove their aligners to eat, our patients in traditional braces must be cautious and avoid candies that are sticky, chewy and contain nuts to ensure that their appliances aren’t
damaged.

“That was why we created the candy buy-back program,” Dr. Eisenhuth says. “We wanted to provide an incentive for our patients to give up those candies that might cause damage, and give them a little something for their donation.”

Patients earn tokens according to pounds of candy that they donate, and the tokens can be collected and later redeemed for great prizes.

It’s easy to participate. Patients and anyone else who wishes to donate candy can drop it off at Dr. Eisenhuth’s office on Nov. 3, between the hours of 8 a.m. And 5 p.m. All donated candy will be shipped along with toothbrushes to soldiers overseas.

“We love our troops and want to give them candy to enjoy, but we don’t want them to forget about their own oral health,” she says. “That’s why we include the toothbrushes, too.”

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In honor of National Orthodontic Health Month which is observed every October, Dr. Eisenhuth shares information on the reasons you should consider seeing an orthodontist. Braces can address the following issues:

Function

• Braces can correct improper bite relationships between the upper and lower teeth, says Dr. Eisenhuth, who also is an Invisalign Teen professional.
• Dental orthodontics also can correct relationships between the upper and lower jaws and correct your bite, making it possible for you to chew your food better.
• Orthodontics corrects crowding issues. You might think this is a cosmetic problem, but that’s not entirely the truth. Teeth that are in alignment and spaced properly create fewer areas in which bacteria can collect. They also are easier to keep clean.

Appearance

• They can close gaps between the teeth.
• Braces are great for correcting mild crowding.
• Straight teeth can boost confidence and really give you something to smile about. Lots of patients may not have orthodontic issues that affect their health, but they simply want to feel better about themselves.

Parents should have their children evaluated by an orthodontist by age 7. This is an ideal age for determining whether functional issues exist that could be corrected through interceptive treatment, Dr. Eisenhuth says.

“There is a variety of malocclusions that, when caught early enough, can be corrected without the need for orthodontic treatment later in life, or requiring less treatment down the road,” she says.

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The methods people will use to whiten their teeth seem to be endless, says Eagan and Rosemount orthodontist Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth, an expert in adult and children’s orthodontics. In addition to professional and over-the-counter teeth whitening gels, mouth washes, toothpastes- and yes, even chewing gum- claim to have teeth whitening properties.

Wired Magazine reported in 2008 that one popular chewing gum brand that makes whitening claims includes sodium bicarbonate- otherwise known as baking soda – as one of its ingredients. Baking soda is lightly abrasive and inhibits plaque while cleaning teeth without causing harm to the enamel.

Although some chewing gum brands may include abrasives and cleansing agents, many experts agree that these products remove surface stains and don’t actually lighten the shade of your teeth, says Dr. Eisenhuth, a traditional and clear braces provider.

In a fact sheet on tooth whitening released by the American Dental Hygienists’ Association, professionals say chewing gums and other over-the-counter products may be helpful in terms of maintaining white teeth after you’ve had them whitened professionally because they can remove mild surface stains through physical-mechanical action, similar to cleaning any surface with a cleaning agent, the ADHA fact sheet states. However, the shade improvement is not as successful as the results that can be achieved when peroxide- based, professionally applied and supervised methods are used.

You may wonder how chewing gum manufacturers can even make such lofty claims. Some toothpaste and chewing gum brands also claim to “coat” the teeth to prevent new staining. The ADHA agrees with some of the claims. They state that these products tend to be effective only on slight surface stains, and that the results are temporary.

Dr. Eisenhuth says she wouldn’t be surprised if more products that claim to possess tooth whitening powers are released in the future. Consider the amount of money spent annually on advertising such products. For example, Proctor & Gamble, which makes Crest Whitestrips, spent $81 million marketing their product in 2002 alone, according to a 2003 New York Times article.

Teeth whitening continues to be the most requested cosmetic service, and its popularity continues to soar, according to a September 2011 USA Today article that quotes a survey by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

Americans’ penchant for over-the-counter teeth whitening products was evident in 2006, when it was reported that they spent more than $1.4 billion to achieve brighter, whiter smiles, according to a 2007 MSNBC article.

“Teeth whitening is something that patients of all ages ask us about here at the office,” says Dr. Eisenhuth, a dental braces expert. “I can understand why. When you complete orthodontic treatment and have beautiful, perfectly aligned teeth, I guess it makes sense that a patient might want to apply a finishing touch by making their teeth whiter.”

Dr. Eisenhuth recommends that you consult your orthodontist or dentist prior to taking a do-it-yourself approach to teeth whitening.

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Choosing real fruits over chewy fruit-flavored snacks, and avoiding sticky foods that can damage your braces are a good idea. They also are unhealthy for teeth because anything that can adhere to the teeth when combined with saliva forms an acid and can lead to tooth decay.

“If you bring your lunch to school each day, remember that just because items are labeled in the grocery store as ‘fruit snacks,’ it doesn’t mean they are fruit,” says Dr. Eisenhuth, who is an Invisalign and a children’s braces provider.

Making good food choices will help give you a lasting, beautiful smile, she says.
Portable toothbrushes are on the market today that include the toothpaste in the brush, and are packaged in a way that makes them easy to store in a purse or backpack, she says. But if it isn’t convenient to brush after meals at school, avoiding those chewy, sticky foods will go a long way toward promoting good oral health.

There also are foods you should gravitate toward, as they actually clean your teeth. Apples and pears help keep plaque off your teeth. Cauliflower, broccoli, carrots and cucumbers help remove particles of food from your mouth, which helps reduce plaque formation.

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Lots of adults ask the question because they remember when they were children, many an orthodontist or children’s dentist advised parents to wait until their children had lost all of their baby teeth before starting orthodontic treatment.

But times- and treatment methods- have changed. Over the past 25 years or so, research has determined that many orthodontic problems can be corrected easily if identified early. A variety of orthodontic advancements has made it possible to eliminate the need for orthodontic treatment or at least lessen the length of treatment down the road and even prevent the need for tooth extraction and orthognathic surgery in many cases, says Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth, an Eagan and Inver Grove Heights invisalign Teen specialist.For years, the American Association of Orthodontists has recommended that your children be evaluated by an orthodontist by age 7. Why? By age 7, a child’s first adult molars erupt. This  establishes the back bite, which makes is possible for Dr. Eisenhuth to evaluate front-to-back and side-to-side tooth relationships. For example, the presence of erupting incisors can indicate whether a child has an open bite, an overbite, crowding or a gummy smile.
To determine if orthodontic problems exist that would benefit from interceptive treatment while your child is young and before most of his/her adult teeth have erupted, Dr. Eisenhuth says.

Genetic problems such as underbite, overbite, overjet, crossbite, jaw size, tooth size, crowding, extra or missing teeth, and facial asymmetry issues are just a handful of conditions that can be treated more effectively when detected early. Early orthodontic intervention has prevented tooth extraction and invasive surgery in countless cases.  In the case of overjet,  early intervention can reduce the risk of trauma to protruding front teeth.
There may even be times when you should bring your child in for an evaluation prior to age 7.

“You know your child better than anyone,” Dr. Eisenhuth says. “You might see something going on before age 7 that warrants an evaluation. By all means, you should bring your child in, even if the end result is that you leave with an assessment that no treatment is necessary and your child should simply be monitored periodically.”
Signs that an evaluation of your child may be called for prior to age 7 include:

• Difficulty chewing food
• Premature or late tooth loss
• Thumb or finger sucking past approximately age 2
• Tongue thrusting
• Chronic mouth breathing

“Don’t mistake the absence of any of these symptoms in your child by age 7 as meaning that an evaluation isn’t needed,” says Dr. Eisenhuth, who treats patients with variety of appliances, including traditional and clear braces. “There is a number of conditions that aren’t as noticeable, and are likely to be detected only by an orthodontist.”

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Through the years, Dr. Eisenhuth has worked to not only create beautiful smiles for people of all ages, but to be a fixture in the community through volunteering, mentoring and sponsoring a wide variety of community events including sports and civic activities. Through it all, she has been able to balance her work life while raising three children.

“I love what I do, and I love the community I do it in,” Eagan and St. Paul Invisalign Teen provider Dr. Eisenhuth says when asked how she feels about this milestone. “My staff and I have seen a lot of children and adults walk through these doors who acted self-conscious about their smiles, and left here smiling big upon completion of their treatment. That has been incredibly rewarding.”
Since her career began, Dr. Eisenhuth’s orthodontics practice has been known throughout the Twin Cities area as a state-of-the-art clinic that has remained on the cutting edge of the most advanced orthodontic technology.

“Technological advancements continue to improve and even quicken treatment,” Dr. Eisenhuth says. “It has always been my desire to provide the most effective, most advanced and most comfortable treatment possible for our patients and technology makes that possible.”

On a personal level, this Eagan braces specialist has successfully juggled a demanding orthodontic practice and an active volunteer life while raising three children with her husband Peter. Dr. Eisenhuth is a Girl Scouts mentor, she and Peter volunteer with Junior Achievement, and she and her staff visit schools every year to educate children about healthy food choices and dental habits.

Dr. Eisenhuth also sponsors community events, such as Eagan’s annual Fourth of July celebration, as well as youth sports leagues. She has provided equipment for local youth athletic leagues for several years. Dr. Eisenhuth also provides free fit checks for youth athletes to ensure that their mouth guards fit properly and will protect teeth in the event of a hit to the mouth.

“We’re focused on providing quality orthodontic services, but for me, part of having a practice in the community is being able to use it to sponsor programs for children,” Dr. Eisenhuth says. “I think we all should do what we can to improve lives and create opportunities, particularly given the current state of the economy and the fact that many worthy programs have had their funding cut.”

© 2011 Master Google and Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth. Authorization to post is granted, with the stipulation that Master Google, which creates SEO plans for clients, is credited as sole source. Linking to other sites from this press release is strictly prohibited, with the exception of herein imbedded links.

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