Learn more about the connection between oral health and fertility. Dr. Kami Hoss of The Super Dentists explains more about the importance of great dental health for fertility, pregnancy, and your baby!

The mouth is often called the “gateway” to the body.
When you go to the dentist, you’re likely focused on matters like cavities and gum health. But dental experts can detect a lot more from your exam.

“A lot about someone’s overall health can be observed just by looking in their mouth,” Dr. Kami Hoss, a dentist and author of “If Your Mouth Could Talk,” told HuffPost. “In fact, over 100 systemic conditions and many medications can have oral manifestations. This means that what happens in the mouth can often be a window into broader health issues, helping to identify problems before they escalate.”

Because the mouth is considered the “gateway” to the body, it can also be the origin of problems in many different bodily systems.

The mouth’s microbes “can enter the bloodstream through bleeding gums or open root canals and travel to other parts of the body, causing infections or inflammation,” Hoss noted.

That’s why routine dental checkups are so important.

“A comprehensive oral examination can provide valuable insights into a person’s overall health and lifestyle habits, helping dental professionals identify potential issues and provide appropriate care and recommendations,” said cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael J. Wei.

So what exactly can a dentist infer about you from the state of your mouth? We asked some professionals to share what they’ve seen.

If You Floss Regularly… Or Rarely

“Unfortunately, dentists can’t be fooled into thinking you floss regularly if you floss just right before your visit,” said Dr. Erin Fraundorf, an orthodontist and founder of BOCA Orthodontic + Whitening Studio. “Gum tissue that is not flossed regularly looks red, inflamed and may bleed.”

She noted that healthy gums are pink and smooth with a “knife-edge” instead of puffy.

“As soon as your dentist sees your mouth and the color and texture of your gums, they can tell you have gum disease,” Fraundorf said.

If Your Diet Is High In Certain Foods And Drinks

“Erosion and decay on teeth can reveal a lot about someone’s diet, with high consumption of sugary foods and beverages typically leading to cavities, while acidic foods and drinks, like citrus and soda, can cause enamel erosion,” said cosmetic dentist Dr. Kevin Sands.

Highly acidic and sugary foods and drinks can also contribute to gum disease.

“If you are a big tea or coffee drinker, you will more likely have dark stains,” Fraundorf added.

If You Have Diabetes

People with diabetes often have inflamed gums.

“Imbalances in sugar may also result in a rapid change in the health of your gums, showing up as increased swelling, bleeding and sensitivity,” Fraundorf said. “Diabetic patients have a higher prevalence of gum disease.”

Additionally, “fruity” breath can be a sign of uncontrolled diabetes, so patients should seek medical attention if they experience this phenomenon.

If You Bite Your Nails Or Suck Your Thumb

“Without glancing at your nails, a dentist may be able to detect if you bite your nails ― or bite on other items, like pen caps or bottle caps,” Fraundorf said, noting that the stress on your teeth can cause chipping and other wear and tear.

Dentists can also tell if you suck your thumb or did a lot in the past (beyond early childhood).

“Thumb-sucking may significantly alter not only a patient’s teeth but their jaws,” Fraundorf explained. “These signs include protruding upper front teeth with spacing, tucked back lower front teeth with crowding, a narrow upper jaw and an anterior open bite ― a lack of vertical overlap between the upper and lower front teeth.”

Similarly, tongue thrust can result in an anterior open bite, but generally both the upper and lower teeth will have protrusion and spacing, she added.

If You’re Deficient In Vitamins And Minerals

“Deficiencies in essential nutrients can impact the health of the teeth and gums,” Wei said.

Dry mouth, sores and bleeding gums are common manifestations, as well as changes in the tongue.

“Being deficient in vitamins and minerals may result in many oral conditions, like increased infections, burning tongue syndrome, sore tongue, cracked lips, tissue sloughing, delayed healing, bone infections, and gums that bleed easily,” Fraundorf said. “When patients are deficient in iron, their gum tissues can lose some of the red hues and turn pale pink or even white. Light pink, pale gums can be a sign of anemia.”

 If You’re Right- Or Left-Handed

“It’s pretty wild, but we can often tell if you’re left- or right-handed ― or at least we can tell if you brush with your right or left hand,” Fraundorf said.

Right-handed patients typically don’t brush their upper right teeth as well as they do their left side. The reverse is true for lefties.

“This leaves the gums slightly more puffy and red in addition to more plaque retention on these teeth,” Fraundorf explained.

If You’ve Struggled With An Eating Disorder

Dentists can also see the effects of disordered eating in their patients.

“Patients with eating disorders, specifically bulimia, will typically show enamel erosion or breakdown of enamel,” Fraundorf said. “Specifically, we see erosion almost exclusively on the tongue side of your teeth from the stomach acid that comes up into the oral cavity.”

If You Have A Gastrointestinal Issue

Instead of disordered eating, this kind of erosion might also indicate a GI problem.

“Persistent bad breath might indicate gastrointestinal issues such as GERD, where stomach acid damages teeth and soft tissues,” Hoss said. “The mouth can also reveal early signs of certain gastrointestinal diseases. Crohn’s disease can cause swelling of the gums and mouth ulcers before any intestinal symptoms appear. Oral manifestations like these can be critical for early diagnosis and treatment of serious conditions.”

If You’re Exhibiting Signs Of Certain Cancers

“The mouth can also reveal early signs of certain cancers,” Hoss said. “For instance, signs of leukemia may present as gum overgrowth and bleeding. Oral manifestations like these can be critical for early diagnosis and treatment of serious conditions.”

Oral cancer can also manifest in the mouth with visible oral lesions or growths.

“Signs of oral cancer include unexplained bleeding in the mouth, patches (red, white or spotted), changes in your bite, or areas in the mouth that are eroded, lumpy or swollen,” Fraundorf said. “The patient should then visit an oral surgeon for a consultation and biopsy of any suspicious tissue.”

If You’re Pregnant

“Some women may develop a deep red lump on their gums called a pregnancy tumor or pyogenic granuloma ― a totally benign tumor that will resolve once pregnancy is over,” Fraundorf said.

She noted that pregnancy also commonly leads to the development of gingivitis due to increased progesterone, which facilitates the growth of bacteria.

If You Have An Autoimmune Disease

“Dentists are the first line of defense in detecting system diseases and nutrition deficiencies because some of these diseases and deficiencies have oral manifestations,” said Dr. Jarrett L. Manning, founder of JLM Dental Studio. “This means the disease process may present as abnormal mouth lesions that dentists are trained to detect.”

While dentists check for gum health, tooth conditions and overall mouth hygiene, Manning emphasized that any dental checkups are also important because “any lesion, sore, or patch in the mouth can tell another story and give us insight to a deeper issue.”

The list of potential deeper issues includes various autoimmune diseases and other inflammatory conditions.

“Red spots and sores may be signs of lupus and Crohn’s disease, and white spots in the mouth may be linked to lichen planus,” Fraundorf said. “These spots may be tender or painful and may lead to mouth ulcers.”

If You’re Experiencing Kidney, Liver Or Bone Problems

“Bad ‘fishy’ breath and chronic dry mouth may be signs of kidney problems,” Fraundorf said.

She noted that fishy breath may also indicate liver failure. Your dental appointment might also lead to the discovery of bone issues.

“A dental examination with X-rays can reveal bone loss and may lead to an early diagnosis of osteoporosis ― a disease of the bones which results in bone loss and an increase in brittleness,” Fraundorf said.

Dentists can recognize signs of a range of health issues in their patients and work together to figure out the next steps to take for treatment.

If You’re Dealing With Stress Or Sleep Issues 

“Clenching or grinding of teeth, also known as bruxism, can be a sign of stress or anxiety, which can have detrimental effects on oral health,” Fraundorf said.

Dentists can spot this sort of excess wear on the biting surfaces of teeth.

“Teeth grinding and redness of gum tissue and the throat may also be signs of sleep apnea ― a serious condition which limits the amount of oxygen a person gets during sleep,” Fraundorf added.

If You Have HIV

“You can see if someone has HIV by identifying specific lesions called Kaposi’s sarcoma that are common in uncontrolled HIV cases and have a distinct visual appearance,” said Dr. Ilona Casellini, founder of Swiss Quality Smile.

People with HIV may also experience chronic dry mouth, canker sores and hairy leukoplakia, which presents as white patches on the tongue.

“Oral yeast infections can be a symptom of HIV in young patients who seem to otherwise present as healthy,” Fraundorf noted.

If You Smoke

“Lifestyle choices leave distinct signs in the mouth too,” Sands said. “Smoking or using tobacco products can cause stained teeth, gum disease, and a higher risk of oral cancers.”

Drug use can also have a noticeable impact on the teeth and other parts of the mouth.

If You Struggle With Alcohol Misuse

“Alcoholics often have inflamed gums and breath that smells of alcohol,” Casellini noted.

Alcohol tends to dry out the mouth, making people with drinking issues more susceptible to cavities.

If Your Oral Hygiene Habits Are Inconsistent Or Insufficient

“The presence of plaque, tartar, and gum inflammation often indicates a person’s oral hygiene routine, suggesting inconsistent or insufficient oral care if these issues are present,” Sands said.

He emphasized that maintaining oral health is crucial not just for a beautiful smile but also for overall well-being. Awareness and proactive care can significantly impact someone’s quality of life.

Straightening your teeth has always been associated with metal braces, but advancements in dental technology and health care have given people a new option: “invisible braces” or clear aligners. Today, people have more choices than ever in deciding what company to choose and which direction to take their teeth-alignment journey.

Clear aligners vary drastically in price, medical oversight and treatment plans

Clear aligners or invisible braces have a few big caveats, though: there’s a difference between companies like Invisalign, which require some in-office appointments with a dental professional, and direct-to-consumer sites that take molds remotely and ship aligners to your house without any check-ups. Mostly, direct-to-consumer sites are more affordable, but they are generally not recommended by many dental and orthodontic professionals, including the American Dental Association.

Finding the Right Aligners for You: direct to consumer, or visit an orthodontist?

After SmileDirectClub shut down in December, leaving many customers in the middle of their treatment, the ADA issued a general statement (which did not name any particular company) about the potential dangers of straightening your teeth at home without medical oversight. In some cases, moving teeth without knowing the full picture of someone’s oral health can cause bone loss, teeth loss, gum issues, bite problems, pain in the jaw and permanent issues, the ADA said.

This isn’t to scare you out of a treatment you want, but it’s an important reminder that our teeth are an important part of our body — the head — and safely straightening your teeth needs to be considered in the context of your gum health, bone health, the roots of your teeth, your jaw and more, according to Dr. Kami Hoss, orthodontist and founder of SuperMouth, an oral care company. You can’t understand that context without an examine by a doctor and some X-rays, Hoss said.

He doesn’t recommend direct-to-consumer aligners for the majority of people (more on that below), but people who are interested in straightening their teeth solely at home should be sure to get an exam of their oral health before they go ahead, Hoss said. He added that many orthodontists already offer free consultations, so there’s a chance you’ll be able to finesse a no-cost dental exam before you make your decision. (Here’s a provider-finder link from the American Association of Orthodontists, or you can call your local dentist.)

“If you are gonna be in that group where you absolutely want to do this at home, at least get the orthodontic consultation,” Hoss said. “Get a feel for how complex your case is.”

‘Appointment-required’ aligners vs. ‘at-home only’ aligners: here’s what to know

In-office aligners route

An exam of your mouth and X-rays of your teeth should be included by the company’s care plan and whichever doctor’s office you’re working with. Dentists and orthodontists can become providers with different aligner companies, including the likes of Invisalign, Spark, Reveal and Candid. You’ll have appointments along the way to check your progress, but the frequency of your appointments and what your care plan will look like depends.

In addition to having oversight by a doctor who can adjust treatment if something isn’t working, Hoss said another plus of these clear aligner companies is that they offer attachments in many cases. Attachments are small, often unnoticeable little nubs attached to some teeth that hook to the aligner and help them move. He compared attachments to handles on furniture.

“If you want to open a cabinet or move it around, it’s a lot easier to have a handle on that cabinet,” he explained.

Clear Aligner treatment from home (direct-to-consumer)

You’ll normally sign up through the company’s website and wait for your shipment of an at-home mold to provide an impression of your teeth. Then, the company’s medical network will review the results of your mold to determine whether you can go forward with treatment. You’ll be shipped new aligners every couple weeks or so, depending on the company and your individual plan. Because at-home only companies are just that — at home — you won’t get attachments.

According to Hoss, people who could benefit from a direct-to-consumer alignment option include what he calls “minor relapse cases.” These are people who may’ve already had braces, but their bottom teeth have moved a little and they need some minor aligner treatment in straightening them back up again.

Different Invisible Braces for different needs

Again, he stressed the importance of having confirmation that your teeth and everything else is healthy. In some cases, evidence of damage caused by unsafe teeth alignment may show up years later when someone goes to the dentist for another problem, according to Hoss. Also, he said, straightening your teeth with aligners — even if effective at first — may miss the root of the issue, and ignoring the cause of the problem may cause problems or cause teeth to revert back after initial treatment.

Wherever you get your clear aligners, they’ll typically need to be worn throughout the day, unless you’re eating. Some people may also choose a “night-time only” plan.

While what’s best for you will depend on your needs, here are some companies to consider.

Best invisible braces of 2024

Invisalign

Invisalign is the name that kicked the whole idea of invisible braces into the mainstream. It works similarly to “traditional” braces in that you’ll need to find a doctor to start your treatment and work alongside for your entire treatment plan. You’ll find a provider in your area, come up with your treatment plan, get fitted for attachments or whatever you need and then be on your way to straighter teeth.

The cost is comparable to regular braces, Invisalign says, though how much you’ll end up paying will depend on your specific needs. Depending on your plan, dental insurance may cover up to $3,000 of the cost, according to Invisalign, and you can use your FSA/HSA dollars. Because you’ll be working with a doctor, you may also be able to work out some sort of payment or installment plan.

After treatment, your doctor may recommend you use a retainer to keep your teeth in place. How that looks will depend on your treatment plan.

Reveal

Reveal is similar to companies like Invisalign and Spark because it requires check-ups and appointments with a dentist or orthodontist to keep you on track throughout your treatment.

Reveal is similar to companies like Invisalign and Spark because it requires check-ups and appointments with a dentist or orthodontist to keep you on track throughout your treatment.

To get started, find a provider in your area by searching your ZIP code. Reveal says its prices are between $2,000 and $5,000, and the company has a monthly payment option.

Byte

Byte doesn’t require appointments or fittings from a dental health provider, but it’s relatively well-known in the field of direct-to-consumer dentistry. It’s one of the few companies still in business that hasn’t moved to require some doctor appointments (like Candid, which once was direct-to-consumer but has moved to a more hybrid model with a provider-assisted approach), but it may be inching that way. Byte has a premium option for its aligners which includes a free 1:1 consultation with an affiliated dentist to see if you’re right for the aligners, as opposed to just sending in at-home molds and getting virtual medical clearance.

Byte says its average treatment time is four months. The impression kit costs $95 and is sold separately; the all-day clear aligners cost $2,099 for a one-time payment or $89 per month for 36 months.

A cool addition from Byte is that it offers a tool called the HyperByte, which is a vibration therapy meant that sends pulses through your teeth to help seat your aligners for better treatment. Byte also includes your first set of retainers for free after treatment.

Byte says you’ll get a refund for the impression kit you order if end up not being a good candidate for treatment. As part of the company’s guarantee,Byte says you may be eligible for additional aligners and a new treatment plan at no additional cost if your teeth move out of place and you followed your treatment plan’s rules. However, it doesn’t say anything about refunding the price of your treatment if you’re unhappy with it for any reason.

AlignerCo

AlignerCo is a direct-to-consumer company, so it’s best to get a clean bill of oral health from your dentist — and ideally a consultation with an orthodontist — before going this route so you can make sure you’re the right candidate for this treatment.

If you get the all-clear for at-home aligners, AlignerCo seems to be one of the most affordable options out there. The company offers a flat rate of $995 (or a discounted price) for a one-time payment, which includes the cost of the impression kit and retainers. AlignerCo also offers the option to divide the cost into 12 monthly payments with Affirm. There’s also a six-month plan.

The company isn’t working with any insurance providers, but you can use your FSA/HSA. You can always try to submit a claim after the fact to your insurance company.

If you have concerns about your treatment along the way, AlignerCo says you can contact your “Smile Crew Member,” which is a designated person who will pass along your requests to a dentist. If you want direct contact with a health care provider leading your treatment plan, this may not be ideal.

On its refund and return policy page, AlignerCo says you need to go through your entire treatment and follow your treatment plan’s rules in order to be eligible for “additional aligners.” While it doesn’t appear to give refunds for its treatment once you’re approved and started on your plan, you’ll get a refund for your impression kit if it turns out you’re not a candidate.

Candid

Candid started out as a strictly direct-to-consumer company but made the switch to requiring some doctor involvement. The result is a pretty cool model which map help chip at some doctors’ fears of unmonitored or hands-off teeth alignment while blending in the benefits of telehealth, like virtual check-ins and a majority at-home approach.

To start, you’ll need to find a provider to meet with you to start your treatment. Then, you’ll share updates on your progress through an app and your provider may have you come in again if they sense something is going off track.

For information on price, ask your provider, but Candid’s hybrid model is meant to make the aligners cheaper than traditional braces. Candid also sells retainers in a similarly hybrid model, for which you can use your HSA/FSA dollars.

How we chose the best invisible braces

We selected clear aligner companies with different models by taking into account concerns people may have over medical oversight, affordability, type of care needed and how well-known the brand of aligners is. When applicable, we also took into account what makes a company different.

READ ON ALL INDIANA

Gingivitis: Causes And Treatment

READ ON FORBES: https://www.forbes.com/health/body/gingivitis-causes-and-treatment/ 

Plaque often leads to gingivitis, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine, especially where the gum and tooth meet.

Your mouth naturally produces plaque—a sticky, nearly invisible film that coats teeth—and if you regularly remove it with brushing and flossing, it typically doesn’t cause problems, according to the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP). But plaque contains bacteria that releases acids damaging to gums, notes the American Dental Association (ADA).

When this bacteria and its byproducts build up and harden on teeth because of poor dental hygiene, they can inflame and irritate the gums, leading to gingivitis. Tartar needs to be removed by a dental professional.

While everyone has plaque, some have risk factors that make them more prone to it than others. In addition to improper or irregular brushing and flossing, some factors that can predispose you to gingivitis are:

Medications: Certain anticonvulsants used to treat seizures, calcium channel blockers that combat high blood pressure and immunosuppressants used to prevent organ rejection in transplant patients can cause an overgrowth of gum tissue, or gingival hyperplasia. That excess tissue can grow so aggressively it covers the crowns of teeth, making it hard to fully remove gum-damaging plaque.

Other medications—in particular, antihistamines to control allergies, blood pressure medicine and certain antidepressants—can reduce the amount of plaque-cleansing saliva the mouth produces.

Tobacco smoke: Smokers tend to have more periodontal disease than nonsmokers^[2]. “Tobacco can decimate the mouth’s ‘good’ bacteria, which keep the ‘bad’ ones in check,” says Dr. Hoss. “Smoking can also weaken the body’s immune system, reducing its ability to fight gum infections.”

Diabetes: Periodontal disease is two-to-three times more common in people with diabetes than in those without^[3]. Diabetes initiates an inflammatory response in the body, including in the gums, and many medications used to treat diabetes can promote dry mouth.

Diabetes also creates changes in your blood vessels that can ultimately weaken gums and the underlying bony structures of teeth, says Cedars Sinai.

Pregnancy: Up to 75% of pregnant women have gingivitis when they’re expecting, according to the CDC^[4]. The hormones estrogen and progesterone, which surge during pregnancy, are likely to blame. These hormones increase blood flow to the gums, making them more sensitive to irritants like plaque.

Age: There’s a lot of wear and tear on teeth and gums as you age. Almost half of adults over 30 have some periodontal disease, notes the CDC. That number jumps to 70% by age 65^[5].

Poor nutrition: Without an adequate supply of vitamins and minerals, it’s hard for your immune system to fight infections like gingivitis. Low levels of certain vitamins, including vitamins C, D and a variety of the B vitamins, have been associated with periodontal disease.

Genes: While studies are conflicting, some research estimates that 30% to 50% of periodontal disease is inherited, according to findings in the Journal of Dental Research^[6].

Gender: More than half of men have gum disease versus roughly 38% of women, notes the AAP^[7]. Men aren’t more susceptible to gum disease, says Dr. Richardson. “But statistically, men report visiting an oral health specialist less frequently than women, which may lead to men having more cases of gum disease.”

Braces: Braces (as well as ill-fitting dentures and bridges) make it difficult to floss and brush thoroughly. Research shows that people with fixed orthodontic appliances like braces have more gum inflammation, recession and visible plaque after orthodontic treatment than before.

Dentist and author Dr. Kami Hoss joined us live with the do’s and don’ts of oral hygiene. Watch now! 

New book ‘If Your Mouth Could Talk’ lays out the importance of dental hygiene

Dr. Kami Hoss, dentist and author, talks about lessons and information gleaned from his new book “If Your Mouth Could Talk.” Watch now! 

Dr. Kami Hoss, “If Your Mouth Could Talk” author, discusses ways that we can improve our dental hygiene. Watch now: CBS Atlanta

I’ve always thought teeth were high-maintenance. The process of brushing, flossing and gargling while ensuring you do your twice-a-year check-ups can be exhausting. Then, you have children and the work doubles. But, over the years, I’ve learned that dental care is about more than just aesthetics or having chompers to eat yummy foods — it’s about your overall health.

Now, my knowledge of dental care and more importantly, my children’s teeth, has increased thanks to the new book “If Your Mouth Could Talk” by local orthodontist and dentofacial orthopedist Dr. Kami Hoss. Hoss, who is also the founder of The Super Dentists, breaks down every piece of dental health from how it affects your breathing to your confidence to most importantly, your overall health.

Here are a few snippets of what I learned about children’s teeth.

• Dental caries, the disease that causes cavities, is the most common chronic disease of children. And, children’s tooth decay is four times more common than early childhood obesity, five times more common than asthma, and 20 times more common than diabetes!
• Children in California miss 874,000 days of school every single year due to dental problems.
• When your infant is teething, it’s best to stay away from medications and oral gels. Hoss recommends using safe teething rings that have been refrigerated (not frozen). But, he cautions to read about the product before giving it to your baby. In fact, the FDA issued a warning on teething necklaces after an 18-month-old was sadly strangled by one.
• Enamel on baby teeth is thinner than on permanent teeth and the pulp is larger so dental decay can spread to the nerve faster. Hoss recommends wiping your child’s gums and teeth with a wet cotton gauze after feeding to remove the sugar and bacteria that could cause decay.
• Hoss recommends considering seeing a pediatric dentist before your baby is born so you know what to expect. I actually wished I did this before my children were born because, by the time they arrived, it’s difficult to get caught up on learning.
• Finally, if you’re considering having a baby, go to the dentist for a check-up because unhealthy gums can actually lead to infertility! Hoss said the presence of a common periodontal bacteria in saliva that indicates poor oral health was three times more prevalent in women who did not become pregnant and was associated with a significantly increased risk of infertility.

Read More Now: https://timesofsandiego.com/life/2022/06/25/san-diego-moms-what-i-learned-about-caring-for-my-kids-teeth/

Periodontal disease is correlated with just about every type of illness and disease. Sometimes it’s a canary in the coal mine for something wrong, but sometimes, it can even be the source of the problem. While many people dismiss dental care as only an aesthetic concern, straight, healthy teeth and a broad palate help with breathing, sleep, and even digestion. My guest on this week’s podcast shares his academic and clinical experiences helping people improve their smiles as a means to improving their health.

Listen and learn:

Why fluoride can be great for teeth, but should not be ingested The benefits of hydroxyapatite as an alternative to fluoride How the billions of microbes in your mouth play a crucial role in digestion The benefits of xylitol in dental care products

Listen Now

**Much-anticipated guide to oral health hits USA Today and Wall Street Journal
bestseller lists, as well as other national recognition**

San Diego, Calif. (June 1, 2022) – Dr. Kami Hoss, DDS, MS – founder of The Super Dentists and Howard Healthcare Academy, and renowned orthodontist and dentofacial orthopedist – released his highly anticipated book, “If Your Mouth Could Talk,” which provides a roadmap for reducing the oral health care gap keeping so many from personal and financial success.

The Center for Disease Control reports that nearly 18 percent of all working-age adults, and 29 percent of those with lower incomes, say that the appearance of their mouth and teeth affects their ability to interview for a job. Further, over $45 billion is lost in productivity in the United States each year because of untreated oral disease.

Read More. 

You may have heard that your dental health reflects your whole health. It’s true. On episode 539, we discuss Dr. Kami Hoss‘ book, If Your Mouth Could Talk: An In-Depth Guide to Oral Health and Its Impact on Your Entire Life.

Listen Now

OTC Whiteners vs. In-Office Whitening Treatments

https://chetholmes.com/podcast-if-you-do-this-one-thing/

We asked dental professionals for their take on the best teeth whitening kits for getting a whiter, brighter smile.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbes-personal-shopper/2022/04/29/best-teeth-whitening-kits/?sh=41c9164249eb

The Healthy Mouth Movement Podcast

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-health-is-under-your-nose-with-dr-kami-hoss/id1501753147?i=1000556174016 

LISTEN NOW: 

https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/instant-genius-oral-health-with-dr-kami-hoss/

By Dr. Kami Hoss 

Dental X-Rays While Pregnant

Being pregnant can be one of the most magical times for a family. I remember when my wife was pregnant and we anxiously awaited for our son to arrive. We had so much fun choosing his name, daydreaming about what he’d look like and thinking about what kind of parents we’d become. 

While these are the same things many expecting mothers are still doing today, they are dealing with the added burden of being pregnant in the middle of a pandemic. As if they didn’t have so many other worries to deal with, COVID-19 certainly adds stress and uncertainty at an already uncertain stage of life.

People fear going to the dentist even during normal times, so it’s easy to rationalize skipping dental work while pregnant, let alone during a global pandemic. But I’d like to stress that not only are dental offices remarkably safe, but that oral health is particularly important for expecting mothers, and could have a direct effect on the health of the baby and the mother herself. While this isn’t typically discussed during the many OB-GYN visits during pregnancy, it is something I see firsthand at my six pediatric dental offices. Let me explain why.

Maintaining Good Oral Health During Pregnancy

When a woman is pregnant, immune and hormonal changes make her more susceptible to pregnancy gingivitis and teeth sensitivity. This is actually more common than you’d expect, impacting roughly 60-75 percent of pregnant women.

In fact, gum disease during pregnancy can have a variety of adverse effects ranging from premature births to low birth weights. Annually, about 10 percent of babies are born early in the U.S., and preterm babies can experience both short- and long-term health problems. Poor oral health can also increase the mother’s risk of gestational diabetes and preeclampsia, a potentially fatal pregnancy complication.

Maintaining good oral health can become increasingly challenging during pregnancy. Food cravings alone can lead to dietary choices that aren’t the healthiest, and that extra sugar provides fuel to harmful oral bacteria which could result in cavities, gum disease, and overall health consequences.

Morning sickness can also pose a problem; prompting pregnant women to avoid brushing their teeth altogether due to nausea, or actual vomiting which releases eroding gastric acids. The acid from vomit can damage the teeth, especially in the upper front areas. Brushing immediately after vomiting could cause even more erosion or damage because that is when teeth are most vulnerable.

Instead, rinse with warm water and wait a little bit before brushing. Proper guidance from your dentist such as this can help you understand safe and appropriate maintenance during pregnancy to avoid issues that could do irreversible damage to your oral and overall health.

Oral health also extends to airway health and breathing. Snoring is a common side effect that impacts 30 percent of expecting mothers, and women who snore habitually during pregnancy are three times more likely to deliver developmentally delayed babies. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a sleep disorder that involves the stopping and starting of breathing, tends to get worse during pregnancy due to weight gain and the baby pushing against the diaphragm. OSA limits the amount of oxygen in the body, which can have detrimental effects on a mom and her developing fetus and is another problem an airway-focused dentist can help address.

Are Dental X-rays Safe While Pregnant?

An important part of maintaining good oral health during pregnancy may include x-rays. I understand how scary it can be, especially when you’ve heard over and over that radiation could be dangerous to your unborn baby. But let me put you at ease. First and foremost, I’m here to help you and your baby be healthy. I would never put either of you at risk knowingly.

Secondly, getting dental x-rays while pregnant is perfectly safe because they emit a very low amount of radiation, not the high emission levels that could harm your baby. And you know that heavy lead apron? It protects all your vital organs, including your baby, during the brief exposure to the very low levels of radiation.

And while x-rays are deemed medically safe in any trimester, many women feel most comfortable getting them after the end of the first trimester through the first half of the third trimester. No matter your concerns, don’t hesitate to talk to The Super Dentists about getting dental work while pregnant.

Oral Health and Fertility

While it’s important to protect your oral health when you are pregnant, it’s just as important for both men and women to have healthy teeth and gums before conceiving. 

I know what you’re thinking, “Can gum disease stop you from getting pregnant?” It’s easy to assume there is no connection. However, excessive bacteria in the mouth, which can enter the bloodstream as well as contribute to tooth decay and infections, may affect fertility in women trying to get pregnant along with lowering a man’s sperm count and sperm motility (the ability to swim.)

I understand that we’re living in scary times right now, but going to the dentist while pregnant will only help—not hurt—a mother’s chances of a healthy pregnancy. As a member of the dental and medical profession for over 20 years, I’m a strong advocate that taking care of your oral health is integral to your overall health. It may play an underpublicized role, but good health starts in the mouth. If I can impart anything on expecting mothers today, it is to not ignore oral health–your baby will thank you later. 

So, when do babies go to the dentist? Believe it or not, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends the first visit occur no later than age one. We’re here for them, too. Building a strong foundation for good oral health and showing them just how fun a visit to the dentist can be is best started early. 

Whether you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant or have a new little one, The Super Dentists is here for your entire family. Call (855) GO SUPER to schedule an appointment or talk to our experts to calm your fears of visiting the dentist while pregnant today.

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Dr. Kami Hoss is a San Diego-based orthodontist and dentofacial orthopedist, author, and founder of The Super Dentists and Howard Healthcare Academy.
He is on the Board of Counselors at UCLA School of Dentistry where he previously received his doctorate in dental surgery.

Dr. Kami Hoss, The Super Dentists co-founder, advises parents to not fear taking their kids to the dentist as dental offices are taking precautions to keep everyone safe.

By Dr. Kami Hoss

So many college graduates in North Carolina and around the country are setting out to establish careers and businesses. And this time of year always makes me recall how so many grads get bad advice. During my final year of orthodontic residency, my fellow classmates and I had to meet with an advisor who was supposed to give us guidance on how to succeed as a dentist in the real world. I remember that meeting very clearly, as it would shape the way I formed my practice and ultimately my entire career.

My advisor gave me three distinct dos and don’ts: don’t relocate and start an office in a city I’d never lived in before; don’t work with my wife (who was also a dentist and finishing her pediatric residency); and, do take general dentists out for lunch to build relationships and referrals.

I remember this advice being unsettling at the time because I had already planned to move to San Diego, a city I had never lived in before. I was also wanting to start an oral health business with my wife. And I found that long lunches with fellow dentists, who had already established relationships with other specialists, to be cumbersome and unfruitful. I hadn’t even left dental school yet, but if my advisor had any say, his educated guess would’ve been I was destined to fail.

Twenty-five years later, I am thankful to be part of a thriving enterprise in San Diego that I run with my wife. We now have seven oral health locations with more on the way, far exceeding what my advisor ever imagined. Why do I share this story? Because if I had taken advice from the “expert”, I wouldn’t have figured out my own path, and I certainly wouldn’t have been in the position I am in now. So, my advice to you is, sometimes you have to create your own path and stop listening to the experts.

We are given advice all the time, whether it’s solicited or not. We’re told what schools to go to, what to study, what to do, how to do it – and if we do all these things, according to the experts, we will become successful. And this is where I beg to differ. My take is, if we follow all the advice and do all the things everyone does – it will make us ordinary. To be extraordinary, you must watch what everyone is doing and do it differently and better.

When I was starting out, I heard a lot about what to do to be in the “norm.” Norm is short for normal. There is nothing wrong with being normal or average if that’s what you want, but if you want to excel, you need to be extraordinary and do things differently. No one makes history by being like everyone else. You don’t change the world by being average. So, no matter what field you plan to enter into, my advice to graduates is don’t be afraid to blaze your own path and create your own set of rules. At the very least, you’ll have a new set of advice to give the next person about your own discovered dos and don’ts.

Dr. Kami Hoss has recently been published as an expert on business leadership, the pandemic, and parenting in Chief Executive, Forbes, Street Fight, Pregnancy & Newborns, Parents, Dentistry Today, San Diego Union-Tribune, Omaha World-Herald, and others. He is also on the board of counselors at UCLA School of Dentistry.

This article was originally posted on INDY Week on June 13, 2021.

By Sarah Han

After the year we’ve collectively had, it’s hard not to notice all of the professional services we’ve forgone, including our biannual dental cleanings. But in a way, they’ve also been a source of motivation — at least, for me personally — to invest more in my oral-care (and at large, self-care) routine. Much to the dismay of my dentist, who gently reminds me to floss regularly every time I pop in for my appointments, I didn’t use to do much outside of my twice-a-day brushings.

This article by Sarah Han was originally posted on Allure.com on 4/30/21.

While typically not as bad as it sounds, there are some things to watch for.

Adults grind their teeth because of a wide range of emotional states. Anger? Check. Anxiety? Sure. But a baby grinding teeth is a different story. It’s not about anger or fear until they get older. So what does it mean when your baby or toddler grinds their teeth? Here’s what parents should know.

Why is My Baby Grinding Her Teeth?

Teeth grinding, or Bruxism as it is referred to by doctors, is typical in babies, with nearly 50 percent of them doing it at some point. Dr. Kami Hoss, the founder of The Super Dentists, finds most kids grind their teeth as a matter of exploration.

“Simple discovery is one reason kids grind their teeth,” he explains, adding that this curiosity usually begins at about ten months when a baby’s top and bottom front teeth have come in. “They are trying to figure out what’s going on in their mouth as it starts to feel different.”

Dr. Hoss recommends parents check with their dentist, and if the grinding isn’t a result of something more serious, safe teething toys can provide relief. Safe, of course, is the operative word. In 2018, the FDA issued a warning to parents when multiple children died after using beaded teething jewelry.

When is Baby Teeth Grinding a Concern?

Sometimes teeth grinding can be a sign of something more serious, like apnea. In that circumstance, trouble breathing causes the body to activate muscles of the mouth to regain control of the airway to keep it open, which results in the grinding of teeth. Dr. Hoss advises that if your child snores more than usual, breathes through their mouth, or has pauses in their breathing while they sleep, you should let your primary care provider know so they can evaluate your child for sleep apnea.

As kids get older, stress can also cause them to grind their teeth. “Kids get angry, frustrated, sad, or embarrassed. We all take stress out on different body parts,” remarks Dr. Hoss. He encourages parents to pay attention to how their children respond to stress.

What Can Parents Do About Kids Grinding Teeth?

If your child doesn’t pass through the tooth grinding phase independently or if their grinding is persistent, then dental erosion can become a concern. Your child’s dentist will be able to help you know if it gets bad enough to require treatment.

“With little kids, we usually can’t prescribe a mouthguard because it might disrupt baby teeth from falling out or the eruption of permanent teeth,” explains Dr. Hoss. “Tooth grinding isn’t anything to worry too much about, but it is one of the many reasons it’s good to establish dental care for your baby even before their first teeth come in.”

Like almost all pediatric dental issues, your dentist can address tooth grinding more effectively when they have the opportunity to identify the problem early and already have an understanding of what is going on in your child’s mouth.

This article by Christian Dashiell was originally posted on Fatherly.com on 4/30/21.

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Even though baby teeth fall out, it’s important to keep them as healthy as possible.

What Causes Cavities in Kids?

In short, it’s the same process that causes cavities in adults: enamel eroding and exposing the tooth pulp. But there’s a difference in baby teeth, explains Dr. Kami Hoss, the founder of The Super Dentists. “The enamel on baby teeth is thinner than on permanent teeth, and the pulp is relatively larger,” he says. “So damage can happen much quicker than with permanent teeth.”

Dr. Hoss encourages people to think of their mouth as a garden that requires various types of maintenance to remain healthy. Our mouths contain 700-800 species of microbe and 5 to 10 billion microbes in total. Together, these microbes create the thin, clear, and slimy biofilm that coats everything inside your mouth. Gross? Sure. But as long as you have a mouth, microbes will always find it a happy place to live and create a biofilm. You can, however, keep them balanced and working in your favor.

When we neglect oral hygiene, the biofilm on our teeth becomes thicker, whiter, and sometimes even a bit yellow. These changes signal that some types of unhealthy microbes in our mouth are feeding on the sugars they find, and in the process, secreting acids that drop the pH — a condition that favors the unhealthy microbes. A cycle of increasing acidity causes enamel to move away from the teeth and into the saliva, leaving tooth pulp exposed.

What’s Wrong with Cavities in Baby Teeth?

Temporary does not mean disposable. There are many reasons why it’s essential to keep baby teeth healthy and intact until they are ready to come out on their own.

Baby teeth hold space for permanent teeth, so losing them too early can create problems down the road. “Baby teeth around the removed tooth will drift into that space and could block the eruption of the permanent tooth that’s supposed to come in there,” explains Dr. Hoss. “That can then cause a major orthodontic problem down the road.”

Additionally, there are functional reasons that baby teeth are essential for a child’s growth and development. Healthy teeth support proper digestion by ensuring kids can eat correctly, and they also have a role to play in language and speech advancement.

Dr. Hoss notes that there are self-confidence implications when kids don’t have healthy teeth. “Weight and teeth are the two reasons kids get bullied the most. If they aren’t speaking well or don’t feel like they can smile because they will get made fun of, then kids may develop an unhealthy self-concept at an early age.”

Prevention

Regular dental visits starting no later than the appearance of your child’s first tooth allows your provider to monitor the health of your child’s mouth.

What kids eat and how they eat are also important. “I’m a dad,” says Dr. Hoss. “I have an 8-year-old. I’m not saying you should never have candy or that you need to boycott Halloween. But we have to view sugar as something we enjoy in moderation. Not only candy but also fruit juice, white bread, and flour.”

While the science of how cavities develop is more nuanced than most people are aware of, many preventative measures are common sense. And a kid who learns how to care for their baby teeth will have developed good habits when their permanent teeth come in. That will save both you and them a lot of time, money, and pain in the long run.

This article by Christian Dashiell was originally posted on Fatherly.com on 4/23/21.

Check out these related articles:

When do babies get their first tooth

Why You Should Visit the Dentist While Pregnant

3 Things that Can Happen to your Teeth When Pregnant

This article by Christian Dashiell was originally posted on Fatherly.com on 4/1/21. 

The Doctors are joined by dentist Dr. Kami Hoss who shares why oral health is so important — especially when it comes to COVID-19.

Dr. Hoss explains the findings of a recent study that suggests patients with gum disease are 9 times more likely to die from the virus. Additionally, the study found those with gum disease were 3 times more likely to be admitted to the ICU, and also 4 and half times more likely to require a ventilator.

The dentist also notes the CDC found that 70 percent of people age 65 and older suffer from gum disease — making this issue particularly concerning for an already-vulnerable population.

This interview originally appeared on The Doctors.com on 3/30/21.

Waiting on a baby’s first tooth is a pain, unless they happen to born with them.

Like most infant milestones, those involving baby teeth are far from precise. The age when babies get teeth varies from child to child. Some babies are born with a tooth or two. Some babies may not have their first tooth emerge until 12 months. In between those extremes baby teeth come in anytime between 4 and 10 months, with an average of around 6 months for typical babies. Genetics is largely responsible for when teeth emerge, but the timing of the first tooth can also have serious implications on infant health.

“If the teeth come in a few months early or a few months late there are no concerns, usually,” explains orthodontist Dr. Kami Hoss, founder of The Super Dentists and Howard Healthcare Academy who serves on the Board of Counselors at UCLA School of Dentistry. “If the timing is extreme it can be an issue. Very early teeth, for instance, can interfere with breastfeeding.”

That’s a serious consideration, Hoss explains because breastfeeding is really important for oral health. Not only does it help shape a baby’s facial-musculature growth, breastmilk results in fewer cavities.

Very early teeth can also indicate the supernumerary teeth — the presence of extra teeth. “I’ve seen from one to a dozen extra teeth in children,” Hoss says. “An extra tooth that doesn’t have room to come in can cause regular teeth to be crowded or have gum damage.”

If it’s caught early enough, supernumerary teeth aren’t too much of an issue. If they haven’t started causing damage they can simply be removed.

A serious delay in the emergence of teeth could be linked to several factors. In some instances, a tooth might be stuck behind another tooth. In other cases delayed teeth may be linked to missing permanent teeth. In either circumstance, x-rays are required to determine the issue and possible treatment options.

That said, Hoss urges calm if parents aren’t seeing the first baby teeth on time. “There are some families that usually get their teeth late,” he says. “So if I see one child that has teeth coming in significantly late, then I usually start asking when the other family members got teeth. Typically it’s that their biological clock is ticking slower.”

And in those cases that biological clock is likely slower across development. So the same children may reach all their milestones at a leisurely pace from walking to puberty. That’s why it’s important for parents to place milestones in the context of their child’s unique developmental pace.

Hoss notes that baby oral health issues can be easily managed. But success is completely dependent on catching the issue early enough to be corrected.

“The American Academy of Pediatric dentists recommends that every child has seen a pediatric dentist by 6-months of age,” say Hoss. “But personally, after 25 year in my practice, that the latest that parents should see a pediatric dentist. My personal recommendation is that during pregnancy parents should find a dental home for their coming baby.”

This article by Patrick Coleman was posted on fatherly.com on March 12, 2021.

When you’re expecting, your hormones fluctuate, and you may start to see their effects in your mouth. “Higher progesterone levels make pregnant women more susceptible to bacterial growth and developing plaque, while [increased estrogen] causes an increase in the blood flow to the gums, making them more swollen and sensitive,” says Kami Hoss, DDS, an orthodontist in San Diego.

From bleeding gums to shifting teeth, here’s what you can expect to happen to your teeth during pregnancy—plus how to deal—according to a two dental experts.

1. Bleeding gums

The cause: If you’re currently pregnant, you might experience bleeding gums while brushing between the 14th and 30th week of pregnancy, and it’s all thanks to your ever-shifting hormones. “An increase in the levels of estrogen, estradiol, and progesterone can cause pregnancy-induced gingivitis,” says Beverly Hills periodontal plastic surgeon Nicolas A. Ravvon, DDS. Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease and can occur when the plaque along the gum line isn’t removed properly. Plaque breeds bacteria that infect the gums, causing bleeding and sensitivity. It’s the same sort of plaque that people get all the time, but hormonal changes during pregnancy increase your sensitivity to it.

The fix: Luckily, the gingivitis-induced inflammation of pregnancy is reversible, and should subside once hormone levels return to normal. In the meantime, gently brush twice per day with a soft-bristled toothbrush, which won’t further irritate sensitive gums. Additionally, switching to a natural toothpaste can also help, since those formulas tend to be less abrasive than traditional ones.

2. Shifting teeth

The cause: Teeth shifting during pregnancy is a common phenomenon, thanks to periodontitis, a gum infection that’s exasperated by—you guessed it—hormonal changes. “Periodontitis is a progressive disease that damages the gum tissue and in turn can damage the bone supporting the teeth, accentuating tooth movement,” says Dr. Ravvon. “It is caused by chronic inflammation that is not treated.”

The fix: While the thought of shifting teeth might seem alarming, the good news is that as long as you don’t have any previous conditions or gum disease, the condition is temporary. While it may cause a toothache during pregnancy, it won’t cause tooth loss down the line. According to Dr. Ravvon, periodontitis is largely preventable with good brushing and flossing habits, plus regular visits to the dentist to manage dental plaque and reduce inflammation. When brushing, place the bristles along the gum line at a 45-degree angle so they brush along the tooth surface and gumline, which helps to remove plaque build-up. Floss daily and use an antibacterial mouthwash to help prevent bacteria and reduce further inflammatory reactions in the mouth.

3. Tooth decay

The cause: This one comes from a domino effect of the day-to-day pregnancy symptoms you’ll be experiencing throughout your trimesters. According to Dr. Ravvon, pregnant people are at higher risk of tooth decay due to sugary dietary cravings and morning sickness. Between damaging sugar and the gastric acids that come from vomiting, the enamel in teeth can erode and, in some cases, exacerbate tooth sensitivity.

The fix: To combat the effects of gastric acids, Dr. Hoss suggests something that sounds counterintuitive. “I would advise pregnant women against brushing immediately after vomiting since that’s when the teeth are very vulnerable to erosion and damage.” Instead, he says rinse with warm water and wait before brushing your teeth.

When to see a dentist

When it comes to pregnancy dentist visits, timing is everything. “I recommend my pregnant patients to come in for cleanings at both the beginning and the end of the second trimester,” explains Ravvon, noting that it’s best to wait until after the first trimester to book your appointment. “In the case of women without pre-existing gum disease, the [teeth] changes [you experience during pregnancy] are temporary and benign, meaning these changes are reversible following pregnancy.” Keep up with regular brushing, flossing, and rinsing—and don’t be too alarmed with the inflammation, bleeding, and sensitivity that occurs with a tooth ache during pregnancy. It all just comes with the territory, mama.

This article by Stephanie Montes was originally posted on Well + Good on February 21, 2021. 

By Dr. Kami Hoss

The last 12 months have been tough on everyone, especially those with young children. If navigating a global pandemic isn’t hard enough, add on virtual learning, ever-changing school, and sports restrictions, making sure your kids are wearing masks and washing their hands, all while trying to stay sane. I get it! As a father myself, my heart goes out to every parent that is juggling it all.

So it comes as no surprise that perhaps this year you skipped your child’s dental exam. Let me tell you why it’s time to reconsider that.

Your Child’s Oral Health Is Part of Their Overall Health

As an orthodontist and co-founder of the pediatric group dental practice The Super Dentists, I can assure you that delaying or ignoring pediatric dental issues can only make things worse. In fact, 42% of children aged 2-11 will develop cavities. When these go unnoticed, dental decay can spread to nerves faster on children than adults because the enamel on baby teeth is thinner.

Orthodontic problems, similarly, have a limited time window for optimal treatment too. Once that window closes, options for treatment become restricted and alternative solutions may be more invasive and cost significantly more. The results may, unfortunately, be subpar as well.

Your child’s oral health can also impact their sleep quality (if they’re in pain, they won’t sleep as soundly), which can in turn affect their performance at school and other activities. And one of the most compelling reasons to take care of your kid’s teeth is also one of the most heartbreaking: a leading reason kids are bullied or teased at school is because of their teeth.

Reimagining Dentistry During COVID-19

A year ago this month, we had just finished celebrating the grand opening of The Super Dentists in Escondido, our sixth and largest location yet. My staff and I were thrilled to start serving a new part of the county on the importance of oral health.  Little did we know what was to come.

When the pandemic hit, The Super Dentists followed the mandatory shutdown orders by the state, leaving only the central office in Kearny Mesa open for patients needing emergency dental care. Those early days were challenging for us, as it was for most people. We had several long days leveraging relationships to keep stock of precious PPE and hand sanitizer.

While we were in lockdown, my staff and I became highly focused (dare I say obsessed?) with outfitting our offices with the most comprehensive and state-of-the-art safety equipment out there. The health and safety of our patients was and remains our number one priority. We upgraded our HVAC systems and invested in high-tech air filtration with UV light technology, exceeding public health guidelines. We also minimized all our patient-facing processes, and now offer many digital/virtual/paperless options to limit physical interactions.

As we optimistically look ahead to when it’s safe to be social again, we plan to emerge from COVID-19 by picking up where we left off with a grand opening celebration for our Escondido office, as well as events to celebrate our 25th anniversary in San Diego with the community.

Key Takeaways

If there is anything I can impart to you for Children’s Oral Health Month, it’s to remember to give your teeth some extra love and care. Oral health extends far beyond our mouths; it impacts our lung health, cardiovascular system, confidence, appearance, and ultimately, our quality of life.

This Op-Ed was originally posted on Times of San Diego.com on 2/19/21. 

Here’s Why Gum Disease Has Been Linked to Severe COVID-19, According to a Dentist

A new study found that coronavirus patients with gum disease were nine times more likely to die—but why?

• A new study suggests that people with gum disease could be nearly nine times more likely to die of COVID-19 than people without dental problems.
• Researchers found that those with periodontal disease were also 3.5 times more likely to be admitted to the ICU and 4.5 times more likely to require a ventilator.
  
• A dentist explains why gum disease could be linked to a more severe case of COVID-19.
  

From the beginning, doctors have known that COVID-19 is especially dangerous for high-risk groups, including older adults and people with underlying health conditions like heart disease and asthma. But research is still uncovering new risk factors, which now includes gum disease. The condition may affect up to half of American adults, and appears to be linked to a higher COVID-19 death rate, per a new study published earlier this month in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology.

In the study, researchers followed 568 patients infected with the novel coronavirus, dividing them into two groups: those without major issues (mild symptoms) and those who faced complications like ICU admission and ventilation or, eventually, death. They found that COVID-19 patients with gum disease were nine times more likely to die, 4.5 times more likely to require a ventilator, and 3.5 times more likely to be admitted to the ICU than patients without signs of dental issues.

It’s not the only science linking the coronavirus and gum health; research from Mexico and the United Kingdom, respectively released in June and November last year, also identified periodontal disease as a significant risk factor of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection and death. Newly discovered oral symptoms like “COVID tongue,” which causes bumps, inflammation, and discoloration on the tongue, further drive home the connection between the virus and the mouth.

“We’ve known for a long time, decades, that oral health is connected to lung and cardiovascular health,” says Kami Hoss, D.D.S., member of the Board of Counselors at the UCLA School of Dentistry and CEO of San Diego-based practice The Super Dentists. “In fact, what happens in your mouth really impacts the health of many parts of the body.”

What is gum disease?

Gum disease—called gingivitis in early stages and periodontitis in later, more serious ones—is caused by bacteria in the mouth that infect the tissue around the teeth, which results in inflammation. Those bacteria form the plaque that build up on our teeth; without proper care, the plaque hardens and spreads below the gums, speeding up the disease process.

Gums become inflamed at first, then start to pull away from the teeth as the disease progresses, Dr. Hoss explains. Eventually, teeth can become mobile, shifting around and even falling out. Symptoms include swollen gums, tooth sensitivity, bad breath, bleeding, and changes in bite.

Periodontal disease impacts just under half of American adults 30 and older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It also becomes more common with age; 70% of people 65 and older have some form of gum disease. Men and smokers are more likely to have some form of periodontal disease, but it can affect anyone. Gum disease is also more likely in people with systemic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and respiratory diseases.

OK, so what is the connection between gum disease and COVID-19?

Even though you go to different types of doctors for your teeth and body, your teeth are part of your body—it’s all one system, Dr. Hoss explains. “People have really forgotten that your mouth is connected to your body, and what happens in your mouth impacts the body in all sorts of ways.”

The most recent study mentioned above discovered high levels of blood markers indicating inflammation in COVID-19 patients with gum disease, meaning that systemic inflammation could be the culprit behind the higher risk of complications.

Those same bacteria might also cause COVID-19 complications when patients inhale them into their lungs during their illness, Dr. Hoss says. The resulting secondary infections—on top of the one already making it difficult to breathe—could require assisted ventilation. Another theory is that ACE2 receptors, which act as a point of entry for SARS-CoV-2 and exist in large numbers in the mouth, could become overactive in those with gum disease, potentially offering reduced resistance to the virus.

Out of all of these theories, however, it’s most likely that inflammation is the driving factor of COVID-19 complications in people who have signs of gum disease, Dr. Hoss explains.

Can having gum disease directly lead to a severe COVID-19 infection?

For now, there is no concrete data on whether gum disease increases the likelihood of infection. “There was insufficient evidence to link periodontal disease with an increased risk of COVID-19 infection,” the researchers of the United Kingdom study concluded. “However, amongst the COVID-19 positive, there was significantly higher mortality for participants with periodontal disease.”

Although there’s a clear correlation between serious periodontal disease and a severe case of COVID-19, their true relationship is probably more complicated than simple cause and effect. The bacteria and inflammation already present with gum disease could aggravate a nascent SARS-CoV-2 infection, Dr. Hoss explains, or the gums might rather serve more as an indicator of overall health.

Gum disease is also more prevalent in patients with hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, asthma, pregnancy, and cancer, all known comorbidities of COVID-19. The exact relationship between these conditions and oral health remains unknown, per the Mexico study, but it certainly makes sense that COVID-19 would fit in with them.

Until more research is completed, however, there is no way to draw a clear association between the diseases—and no way to tell if treatment of periodontal disease can also lessen the risk of COVID-19 complications.

What should I do to prevent gum disease?

If your gums bleed when you brush and floss your teeth, that’s probably a sign of periodontal disease, Dr. Hoss explains. Swollen gums are also a common first symptom, and pain or soreness might present in some people, although painless gums are more common.

“It can go for months and years without getting diagnosed, and that’s why it’s so critical to see your dentist routinely,” Dr. Hoss says. “The best treatment is prevention.”

To keep your mouth in good shape, the CDC recommends brushing twice a day and flossing at least once every day, which can effectively remove the bacteria that cause gum disease. You should also see a dentist at least once a year (ideally every six months), since they’ll be able to clean plaque below the gums and monitor for serious issues.

Patients with gingivitis can keep it at bay with proper tooth and gum care, plus dentist intervention; patients with periodontitis might require more extensive dental work, medication, and corrective surgery to protect their gums. If you’re worried about your gums, visit your dentist, who will give you options to stop or reverse the condition.

“This study is an opportunity for us to remind people how absolutely critical their oral health is, both in normal times and especially during this pandemic,” says Dr. Hoss, who stresses the importance of visiting the dentist despite COVID-19. “Take care of your oral health—go to the dentist regularly and do a good job at home.”

This article by Jake Smith was originally posted on Prevention.com on February 18, 2021.

Why is gum disease called the silent killer?

​Dr. Kami Hoss tells you why and shares other startling stats about gum disease with  @FOX 5 San Diego.  Recent studies have also shown gum disease  has a significant impact on COVID patients. People with gum disease have a 9x higher risk of dying from COVID 19 complications and are more likely to need both intensive care and ventilators.

Click to watch the whole interview.

You may not be surprised to know, but oral health for your baby starts in the womb! February is National Children’s Dental Health Month and we were lucky enough to have Dr. Kami Hoss, co-founder of The Super share some great oral health tips for our wee ones!

A guest piece by Dr. Kami Hoss

A mom’s own brushing and flossing habits can play a major role in her child’s oral health What’s more, there are several other tips that parents-to-be may not know about.

I am a dentist and a dad to an adorable eight-year-old boy. So, I know how important every aspect of a child’s health is to a parent. I hope this helps you on your exciting journey at hand—especially as it pertains to your child’s oral health.

With that in mind, here are five things you need to know as you get ready for your first one or your next one.

Tip 1. Take good care of your own oral health A child’s mouth starts developing before they’re even born, and the way mothers take care of their teeth, plays an underpublicized role.

If a mom has poor oral health, it can result in a number of pregnancy complications such as infertility and preterm birth. Also, parents can pass on the microbes in their own mouths to their babies. This reality could be a good or bad thing depending on the health of the parents’ oral microbiome, which are the billions of microbes that reside in their mouths.

Tip 2. Breastfeed (when possible) for mouth health.
We know breastfeeding isn’t possible in every parenting situation, and it can be a complicated decision. But if you can do it, the benefits to your baby’s oral health could be significant. While doctors usually encourage new mothers to breastfeed their babies because it protects infants from allergies, improves stomach health, and reduces the risk of infections, one thing that is often not talked about, but equally important is that it plays a huge part in your child’s oral health, too.

With breastmilk’s mix of complex proteins, lipids and carbohydrates, it nourishes the growing mouth and the new microbiome seeded by a baby’s passing through the birth canal. Breastfeeding also minimizes the chances of cavities in baby teeth when compared to drinking sugary juices or formulas.

Additionally, when the breast flattens against a baby’s palate, the breast’s weight and physical shape helps the palate form correctly. A baby’s mouth muscles are strengthened from the sucking motion and teach the baby to breathe through the nose. All of these factors aid with the correct growth of the jaws, lessening dental crowding as the child matures.

Tip 3. Wean off night-feeding if they’re able to sleep through the night.
Getting your baby to fall asleep by feeding him or her can lead to poor oral health. The milk, formula or juice can linger on a sleeping baby’s teeth, which can cause cavities. Enamel is thinner on baby teeth than on permanent teeth. What’s more, the pulp on baby teeth is relatively larger—therefore, damage from cavities happens more quickly.

Wiping your baby’s gums and teeth after feeding will help, but if your child is physically ready to sleep through the night, weaning them off of night-feeding would be best to protect their teeth.

Tip 4. Pay attention to your baby’s tongue habits because they speak volumes.
The tongue represents—when it comes to size-for-size comparisons—the strongest group of muscles in the human body. For babies, the tongue is instrumental for sucking, swallowing, taste, jaw and airway development and speech.

Babies can develop poor tongue habits, but these are habits that can be corrected. The main one is babies sucking their tongues, which can develop into a poor latch during breastfeeding. Other babies hold them in the back of their mouths or use them to push the nipple out of their mouths. The negative ramifications of poor tongue habits include not only inadequate breastfeeding but also problems with speech, swallowing, snoring, sleep apnea, and orthodontic malocclusion, which is a misalignment of the teeth and bite. If your baby has tongue issues, I recommend hiring a lactation consultant or visiting an experienced pediatric dentist.

Tip 5. Best teething tips.
During age four to six months old, teething typically begins and may continue until the child is about two years old. Let’s get one thing out of the way: I do not recommend oral gels or any other kind of medication. They are an unnecessary health risk.

Refrigerated teething rings can be safely used but do not freeze them since a baby’s mouth is too sensitive for such cold temperatures. More generally, it’s important to be cognizant of the quality of anything your baby puts in his or her mouth. As just one example, the FDA recommends avoiding teething necklaces because of the health risk.

When it comes to teething, remember that while babies can be fussy, such irritability doesn’t present a long-term problem. So be careful what you do in reaction while at home. If your baby has ongoing crying, earache, diarrhea, fever, coughs, or refuses to feed, take them to the doctor’s office to be on the safe side if you want.

After more than 20 years in dentistry and almost a decade into fatherhood, these are my best suggestions for parents readying for their next adventure. The larger task of parenting is not easy, but oral health can be extremely manageable as long as you are mindful of these five tips.

Dr. Kami Hoss is a San Diego-based orthodontist and dentofacial orthopedist, author, and founder of The Super Dentists and Howard Healthcare Academy. He is on the Board of Counselors at UCLA School of Dentistry where he previously received his doctorate in dental surgery. Dr. Hoss is a nationally recognized speaker and a sought-after expert focusing on oral health and its impact on overall health and emotional well-being. Visit his online profile.

At your child’s dentist appointment there are a few questions you might want to ask. These are some common questions parents ask the dentist.

You have made sure that you have kept your little ones diligent about brushing and flossing their teeth. You’ve even purchased the mouthwash for children. Now, it is time for them to go to their semi-annual visit with the dentist. There are several questions that you may want to ask them. Here are some integral questions that you may want to ask your child’s dentist.

8Are They Flossing Enough?

Flossing is definitely an important aspect of dental hygiene. It is a pretty important one, too, since brushing can only get so far in between their little teeth. However, you do not have to use string floss. Typically, they make specific floss picks that are made just for little hands and little mouths. Their dentist will be able to tell you upon examination if your children are flossing enough, and if they should be flossing more. According to Stanford Children’s, children should floss at least once a day for two to three minutes. But again, your child’s dentist will let you know the best course of action.

7Are They Using The Right Toothpaste?

Sometimes dentists will recommend that your child not use a fluoridated toothpaste until your children hit a certain age. Ask your child’s dentist if the current toothpaste that they are using is an effective one, and if it isn’t, what is the best toothpaste for them to use? They will be able to steer you in the right direction of what toothpaste is the best, and whether to purchase fluoridated toothpaste yet or not, depending on their age.

6Should My Child Get Sealants On Their Teeth?

Sealants are only typically put on newly erupted permanent teeth, they aren’t placed on baby teeth. So it all depends on the age of your child. By age six, if they have gotten their six-year molars, your child’s dentist may suggest sealants. According to Evanson DDS, sealants are placed on the area of the molar where your children use to bite, in order to prevent bacteria from settling in that area. Your child may have gotten their six-year molars early, so make sure to ask about molars and sealants with your child’s dentist.

5Can You Show My Child How To Brush Their Teeth?

Many dental hygienists and dentists are well-versed in this topic and are more than happy to show your child just how they should be brushing their teeth. Not that they are doing it wrong, but perhaps they could be doing it for longer or they may be missing integral spots that they should be brushing at.

4Does My Child Need An X-Ray Today?

X-Rays can be a valuable tool in diagnosing tooth decay and other problems. However, they should only be used when they are absolutely needed. So, this is definitely a prudent question to ask your child’s dentist. According to Mouth Healthy, the decaying process between your child’s teeth can move at a very rapid rate. Most dentists only do them if they are wholly necessary in order to avoid exposing your child to unnecessary radiation.

3How Often Does My Child Need To Be Seen?

Typically, as long as there are no problems in between, children should be seen by their family or pediatric dentist once every six months, so twice a year, according to The Super Dentists. Dental health is right on par with children’s overall health, so make sure to get them to the dentist at least twice a year.

2Are They Using The Right Toothbrush?

Believe it or not, there are differences between toothbrushes! There are soft ones, hard ones, little ones, big ones, ones with special tools in them in order to sweep away decay. It is important to know which kind of toothbrush would be best for your child. Because every child is different and no two are the same, what might be good for one child, may not be the right toothbrush for your child. Your child’s dentist should be able to answer this question.

1How Can I Prevent Tooth Decay & Damage?

A good routine of brushing and flossing, and even sometimes mouthwash can be needed in order to prevent tooth decay in your children. Perhaps they are still young, and are still sucking their thumb or using a pacifier, your child’s dentist will be able to teach you a good routine in which you will be able to keep your child’s teeth nice and healthy. It is always important, as well, to limit sugar intake, and that children should brush their teeth after having sugary sweets. However, hygienists or the dentist themselves should be able to give you a good routine that your child should follow when taking care of their teeth.

Sources: Stanford Children’s Health, The Super Dentists, Mouth Healthy, Evanson DDS

This article by Jennifer Passmore was originally posted on Moms.com on February 4, 2021.

The Super Dentists co-founder, Dr. Kami Hoss, says that ‘routine dental care’ can prevent that.

Chrissy Teigen is having an eventful — and potentially painful — few days.

First, the cookbook author “got scolded” for Instagramming too much of the rehearsal for the US presidential inauguration celebration where her husband John Legend performed.

Then, right after the inauguration celebration on Wednesday, she says she lost a tooth while snacking on a fruit roll-up.

Teigen shared the dental ordeal with her followers on social media. She posted a video where she can be heard saying “I just lost my tooth in a fruit roll-up.”

Technically, Teigen later clarified, what she had lost was a cap, also known as a dental crown, which is a tooth-shaped cap placed over teeth that might have become damaged over time or due to some kind of injury.

Still, Teigen added that she “loved him like he was a real tooth” in a follow-up tweet. In either case — ouch.

An expert says Teigen’s tooth mishap is easy to avoid

Insider spoke to an orthodontist who said it’s actually quite easy to prevent a crown from falling out the next time you’re enjoying a sticky snack.

“People should maintain their routine dental care including their routine visits to the dentist so any early sign of a loose crown can be immediately dealt with,” Dr. Kami Hoss, an orthodontist based in California, told Insider.

Hoss added that because the video is blurry, he couldn’t quite make out if Teigen lost a temporary crown or a permanent one. He says it’s “fairly uncommon” for a permanent crown to fall off like this, but not impossible.

According to Hoss, a permanent crown could potentially fall out while eating depending on a number of factors, including how tight the crown was to begin with, its age, condition, the bonding material used to place it, and, of course, how sticky the food is.

“If the crown is fitted correctly and it is in a good shape, then it’s unlikely it’ll get loose from typical sticky foods including roll-ups,” he told Insider.

If your crown does come off like Teigen’s, don’t try any DIY remedies — get it fixed by a professional right away
“As a general rule, people should avoid doing any DIY procedures to glue the crown back on. I’ve seen people using super glue to bond their crowns back,” Hoss said.

He added that super glue is toxic and can create problems down the road for the dentist who has to more permanently fix the crown.

Hoss says to go see a dentist soon after your crown comes loose to avoid cavities and to make sure the teeth around the lost crown are properly aligned.

Teigen’s fans tried to cheer her up and offer solidarity
Teigen’s 13.6 million Twitter followers were sympathetic to her fallen crown and offered solidarity in the form of similar anecdotes.

One person said they’d lost their crown to a popcorn kernel.
—Katie Clifford (@replikate) January 21, 2021

Meteorologist Kimi Evans said she lost hers to a ginger chew.

—Kimi Evans (@kimievansmedia) January 21, 2021

One follower simply offered a bit of humor with a dentistry pun.

—Shannon S. (@MizShannonS) January 21, 2021

It’s unclear whether Teigen has gone back to her dentist yet, like Hoss suggests, but she did say that her family is back home in Los Angeles in a tweet this afternoon.

This article by Debanjali Bose was originally posted on Insider.com on January 21. 

Salon asked experts about dental office safety protocols amid the pandemic

If the coronavirus is spread through breathing without a mask in close proximity to others, then one might think that sitting with one’s mouth agape for hours while a hygienist fiddles right next to you seems like a risky proposition. Indeed, unlike other health care visits, dentistry requires the removal of one’s mask for long periods. That has many Americans delaying or avoiding dental care, out of fear of transmission.

But don’t delay your dentist visit just yet. Dentists and health care experts say that despite what it might appear, a dentists’ office visit is actually a paragon of pandemic safety.

“It’s very safe to go to the dentist, and it’s been really safe since dental offices reopened back in May,” said Dr. Kami Hoss, D.D.S., who sits on the Board at the UCLA School of Dentistry and is the CEO of The Super Dentists in California. “Dentists are infection control experts.”

Dr. Hoss said that dentists have been hyper-aware of disease transmission and how to avoid it for decades. “This goes back to the 1980s, when I was going to dental school when we had to deal with the HIV AIDS crisis,” Hoss said. “Since then we have implemented many processes, technologies, and protocols to make sure that we keep our patients, employees, and doctors safe.”

Despite being considered a “high-risk” profession, in part due to the close proximity between dentists and patients, a report published by The Journal of the American Dental Association (ADA) found that less than one percent of 2,200 dentists surveyed last June had COVID-19. Professionals in the industry believe the low rate is a result of the industry adding an extra layer of protection to their already-stringent sanitation standards.

Dr. Matt Messina, an ADA spokesperson, told Salon over the phone — in-between patients — that it’s “absolutely” safe to go to the dentist right now. He remarked that there’s been no dentist-to-patient transmission that the ADA is aware of, and that the fact that less than 1 percent of dentists surveyed in June contracted COVID-19 means the industry has “a pretty amazing record.”

“And that’s dentists that have come down with COVID, and that includes from any source,” Dr Messina said of the statistic.

But of course, like most everything else, going to the dentist right now looks a bit different than it did pre-pandemic. You don’t get the coffee or tea in the waiting room, or likely any leisure time to read magazines before getting your teeth cleaned, as you did before. Some offices have omitted the waiting room entirely, opting instead to have patients wait in their car for a call when they’re ready to be seen. And prior to your appointment, you can expect to be virtually screened for possibly being exposed to COVID-19 and any potential symptoms— as Dr. Hoss does in California.

“We’ve implemented a thorough phone screening going through all the questions — if you have a fever, if you’ve been around COVID, we start from there,” Dr. Hoss said. “We only allow healthy people inside; that screening includes patients, but it also includes our staff and our doctors, every single morning before they’re allowed to be entering the offices.”

In addition to pre-appointment screening, dentists will look a little more protected too.

“Most patients will see, maybe the addition of face fields, more of a barrier gown type of arrangement, we look a hair more surgical than we have in the past,” Dr. Messina said. “Dental offices have used gowns, goggles, face shields, masks, even from before so luckily the average patient won’t notice a big difference.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has listed exhaustive measures for the dental industry to follow. The federal agency also advises that dental offices prioritize dental services and overall care based on the personal protective equipment available and how many COVID-19 cases are in one’s local community. The risk of COVID-19 transmission is often weighed against the risk of not taking care of your oral health, which both dentists emphasized to Salon is very important.

“It is absolutely necessary to take care of your oral health, especially during a health pandemic,” Dr. Hoss said. “Why? Because general health starts in your mouth, oral health impacts every part of our health, including the health of pregnancy — it’s connected to many many systemic diseases, including lung health.” Indeed, the coronavirus can become deadly when it infects enough cells in the lungs.

But what about the metal tools that go in your mouth during a cleaning— the ones that are usually in someone’s mouth before yours? Dr. Hoss said a lot more “disposable items” are being used, but those “metal pieces” are being sterilized just like before. And that’s because the coronavirus is actually quite easy to kill (hence, the large public-health emphasis on washing hands and countertops).

“This particular virus is actually very sensitive to soap, even,” Dr. Hoss said. “For our sterilization process, there does not need to be dramatic changes to it. So yes we do use a lot more disposable items as much as possible, but anything that we can’t and we have to use it between patients, it’s fully sterilized and fully cleaned and it’s completely safe to be used between patients.”

This article by Nicole Karlis was originally posted on Salon.com January 20, 2021

Though they won’t make your teeth instantly jump several shades brighter like an in-office treatment would, whitening toothpastes are a good at-home measure that can assist in subtly removing stains, diminishing the appearance of yellowness, and overall improving oral health. While peroxide is still the gold-standard ingredient for a whiter smile, those concerned about its harshness have a number of alternative ingredients — like fluoride, hydrated silica, and charcoal — they can explore.

Let’s dial it back for a moment and go over some basics. Kami Hoss, a board-certified orthodontist based in San Diego, stresses the importance of taking into account the causes of stains and tooth discoloration — i.e. food and beverages (hello, coffee and red wine), smoking, aging, medications, etc., — in order to determine the correct remedy. Everyone should carefully evaluate a toothpaste’s ingredients and discuss it with their dentists to make sure they’re making the right choices, he adds. Otherwise, there could be negative, long-term effects that go against the goal you’re working toward — for example, you could experience damaged enamel and discoloration with the wrong ingredients.

Now, let’s look on the bright side. “There are a number of good products on the market for whitening that, when used correctly, will not damage teeth,” says Mark Wolff, a professor at New York University College of Dentistry. However, Wolff urges people to have realistic expectations. “The ’tissue test’ seen on commercials — holding a white tissue to the front of your tooth and expecting the same color — is just not realistic,” he says. “Expecting teeth to be brilliant white even after whitening is not always possible.”

Another piece of advice? Avoid charcoal toothpaste. The anecdotal claims you see floating around the Internet aren’t worth it because “some evidence shows that prolonged use of activated charcoal in toothpaste can potentially wear the enamel and even darken the teeth,” Hoss says. The next layer, dentin, is softer and naturally more yellow in appearance, so you don’t want to reach that level of exposure.

With all of that information in mind, start small with 13 of the best whitening toothpastes, as recommended by the experts. Pair your toothpaste of choice with a trusted electric toothbrush and brush away — at least two minutes per session, twice a day, no exceptions. (Oh, and don’t forget to floss.)

Click this link for the list of recommendations.

This article by Marci Robin and Sarah Han was originally posted on Allure.com on December 22. 

Every parent or guardian wants the best oral healthcare for their children, but it’s hard to succeed without the proper tools. The right “tool” – in this case, your child’s first toothbrush – makes all the difference. But with so many pediatric toothbrushes on the market, which one is right for your child? Follow our guide below to help you choose the best toothbrush for your little one.

Things to Consider

As adults, we rarely put much thought into which toothbrush we use. Other than bristle softness and maybe a cool-looking angled brush head, we tend to think of toothbrushes as “just another purchase.” This thought process sometimes impacts how we buy toothbrushes for our children, too, as we often think all toothbrushes are pretty much the same.

But they’re not – and that’s especially true for your children’s toothbrushes.

Think of a toothbrush as the ultimate anti-cavity, breath-freshening, mouth-cleansing, optimal oral health tool because that’s what it is. Like any other job, having the right tool helps achieve any mission.

For parents and guardians, their mission should be exceptional teeth and gum health for their kids. After all, rates of tooth decay and gingivitis in children are much higher than you may think. For example, approximately 20% of children age 11 and under have at least one decayed tooth. In children ages 12 to 19, that rate increases by 13%.  In California alone, about one in five kindergarteners has more than seven cavities.

Clearly, something is wrong with pediatric and adolescent dental care in the United States, but that doesn’t mean your child has to join those statistics. In fact, your child’s toothbrush can play a vital role in preventing and reversing those trends.

Buying the right children’s toothbrush is a crucial step to ensure sustainable, surefire dental care at home. Not sure where to start? Your child’s age is one of the most important parts of determining which toothbrush is best for them.

Toothbrushes by the Ages

• Babies – Any child under two years old has super-sensitive gums, so the traditional toothbrush is actually counterproductive here. Instead, use a clean, damp washcloth at least twice every day. Infant finger brushes are also a great way to keep your baby’s gums clean and healthy.
• Ages 2 to 5 – When your child hits two years old, it’s time for them to take a big step toward their dental care. Aim for a toothbrush with an oversized handle, smaller overall head, and ultra-soft bristles.
• Ages 5 to 9 – As the mouth grows, so does the toothbrush size. For this age group, buy a toothbrush with a medium to large bristle area, but keep the bristles soft. For the mature kids in this bracket, an electric toothbrush is an option.
• Ages 9 and Up – For this age group, the best toothbrush is one that is closest in appearance and function to an adult toothbrush. A slightly smaller bristle area and a longer handle help access those tough-to-reach areas. If you’re wondering whether the experts think an electric toothbrush is a good idea, the American Dental Association (ADA) suggests that they are sometimes easier for children to use than traditional brushes.

What to Look For

Which features should you look for when choosing a toothbrush for your child?

• Ergonomic Design – Function follows form, so you want to ensure their toothbrush has elements like an easy-to-grip handle and other ergonomic attributes to make brushing as efficient as possible. Look for the specific “ergonomic design” on the label.
• Soft or Extra-soft Bristles – Your child’s teeth and gums are literally a work in progress. Harsh, abrasive bristles can cause excess friction, pain and even bleeding. Go with a toothbrush that has soft or extra-soft bristles – bonus points if the toothbrush has Premium Tynex DuPont Bristles, which set the standard for durability, performance, and comfort. All toothbrushes from The Super Dentists have Tynex bristles.
• The ADA Seal of Acceptance – When buying any toothbrush, always look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance. Any company that makes dental care products, including toothbrush manufacturers, must apply for Seal of Acceptance approval to ensure safety, quality, and reliability.
• The Fun Factor – Brushing doesn’t have to be a chore! Look for brushes with features that may make your kid more eager to brush. For example, the Super Toothbrush (pictured above) offers integrated augmented reality (never imagined your old toothbrush could do that, huh?) and a two-minute song to encourage proper minimum brushing time.

When it comes to setting your child up for dental success, choosing the right kind of toothbrush can make all the difference. After all, proper pediatric dental care starts with the right tools. Use our guide to find the ideal toothbrush for your child today.

About the Author

Dr. Kami Hoss, D.D.S., M.S. Orthodontist is reinventing the patient care paradigm in America. Armed with a master’s in craniofacial biology from USC, a doctorate in dental surgery from UCLA, and a post-doctorate in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics, he co-founded The Super Dentists with his business partner and wife, Dr. Nazli Keri.

Over the last twenty years, The Super Dentists has become one of the leading multi-specialty dental practices in the country, utilizing the latest tools and techniques to provide patients with the safest, fastest, and most extraordinary dental experience ever. They’ve even cut down on the time it takes for braces to straighten teeth! With Dr. Hoss’ invention of Acceledontics (a patent-pending, breakthrough system), misaligned teeth are fixed in a fraction of the time compared to traditional braces.

Besides providing his patients with state-of-the-art care, Dr. Hoss offers community programs, seminars, and workshops all over the country. His speaking engagements focus on oral health and its impact on pregnancy, sleep, disease, and even emotional wellbeing, giving people the tools and information to dramatically improve their lives.

Child’s First Toothbrush — Sources

CDC – Child Oral Health
American Dental Association (ADA)
ADA Seal of Acceptance

This article was originally posted on December 15th on Parentology

A swish of mouthwash isn’t a cure of COVID, but there are few downsides. “Mouthwash doesn’t replace other measures we’re currently practicing, like the mask, hand washing, and social distancing,” said. Dr. Kami Hoss, co-founder and CEO of The Super Dentists. “But mouthwash could serve as an extra layer of protection for people who may be asymptomatic and plan to be around loved ones for the holidays.”

Click to watch the whole interview

Gingivitis is a common form of gum disease that causes irritation, redness and swelling on the gums around the base of your teeth. Gingivitis is dangerous because it can lead to serious oral hygiene problems, including periodontal disease.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly half of American adults 30 years and older have periodontal disease. The most common reason people develop gingivitis is due to poor oral hygiene. Other risk factors include: 

• Smoking/chewing tobacco
• Poor diet
• Dental phobia that leads people to avoid dentists
• Crooked teeth that a difficult to keep clean 
• Stress
• Defective fillings
• Genetic components
• Age
• Hormonal changes with pregnancy, menstruation or menopause
• Diabetes 
• History of antibiotic use

The best defense against gingivitis is brushing and flossing at least twice a day and getting regular dental checkups. Another preventative measure is to swish with mouthwashes for gingivitis because they can help kill bacteria and maintain gum hygiene.

“Gingivitis is reversible with good oral care, but, left untreated, it often progresses to periodontitis,” said Dr. Kami Hoss, author of If Your Mouth Could Talk. “Periodontitis is a serious gum infection that results in the irreversible loss of the supporting structures of the tooth – the periodontium.” Teeth can get loose and will eventually fall out. 

Common clues that you may have gingivitis are:

• Bleeding gums
• Red, swollen gums
• Soreness or sensitivity 
• Bad breath
• Receding gum line
• Abscessed teeth

Gingivitis isn’t just an adult problem. Kids can also suffer from gingivitis and if it isn’t identified and properly treated, they may also develop periodontitis. For children, you must be very careful about which mouthwash you choose. Dr. Hoss says in his book, “Unfortunately, many of the conventional oral care products contain, at the very least, questionable safety components, and some have downright toxic and dangerous ingredients.”

How To Prevent Gingivitis

If you are suffering from gingivitis, always visit your dentist first. A great option to help prevent or control gingivitis is the use of therapeutic mouthwashes. Therapeutic mouthwashes are available over-the-counter and by prescription, depending on the formula. 

Clinical studies have shown that certain mouthwashes can kill bacteria below the gums and on the cheeks and tongue. While mouthwash is considered excellent to help prevent gum disease, it is intended to be used alongside proper brushing and flossing. 

Look for a mouthwash that has earned the ADA Seal of Acceptance by providing scientific evidence that demonstrates the safety and efficacy of its product. The ADA conducted two six-month studies showing a minimum 15% reduction in gingivitis and a mean of no less than 20% across the two studies, before awarding seals out to mouthwash brands. 

What Mouthwash Should I Use For Fighting Gingivitis?

There are a lot of mouthwashes out there in the world, but which one is the best mouthwash for your mouth and for preventing and reversing gingivitis? Here are a few rules to follow when picking a mouthwash: 

• No alcohol-based mouthwashes: Mouthwash with alcohol is not good for preventing gum disease. The ethanol can cause your mouth to dry out and increase the risk of gum disease.
• “All-in-one” mouthwash: This is a mouthwash that contains fluoride and antibacterial ingredients to strengthen teeth against decay and reduce the risk of gum disease.
• Antibacterial active ingredients: Look for mouthwash that contains ingredients labeled “antiplaque/antigingivitis.” These ingredients help kill bacteria and prevent gum disease. However, these mouthwashes should be only used for a very short period since they can decide the oral microbiome when used for long periods. 
• Mouthwash for sensitive gums: If you have a sensitive mouth, choose an alcohol-free mouthwash to avoid the burning sensation.
• pH Balancing Mouthwash: Always choose a mouthwash that is an alkaline level above 7 pH. 
• Kids and Mouthwash: Children should not use mouthwash before age six. Small children tend to swallow it instead of spitting it in the sink. 
• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) Mouthwash: Avoid mouthwash with SLS. This ingredient is the foaming agent in toothpaste and can damage soft tissues in the mouth. 

For any further questions about mouthwash for gingivitis, contact The Super Dentists and their top-rated pediatric dental care. Come and see for yourself why 1 in every 5 kids in the greater San Diego area is a Super Dentists kid!

To learn more about The Super Dentists, please contact us today at 1 (855) GO SUPER or text us at 1 (844) 765-1234.

Dr. Kami Hoss, the co-founder of The Super Dentists, talks about the group practice’s long-time philanthropic efforts in the San Diego community. Dr. Hoss discusses our long-time partnership with Junior Achievement of San Diego, San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum, and our oral health presentation program in hundreds of schools.

Click to watch the whole interview.

This article by Andrea Michelson was originally posted on Insider.com on September 18, 2020.

Dr. Kami Hoss, The Super Dentists co-founder and CEO, spoke with CBS News 8 San Diego about COVID Crunch, tooth fractures caused by grinding teeth due to COVID-related stress. Dr. Hoss tells you how the best thing you can do to prevent this painful problem.

Click to watch the whole interview. 

Jesse Lozano, host of Jesse and Tati in the Morning on Star 94.1 San Diego,  had a blast when he visited our co-founder, Dr. Kami Hoss, at our sixth location and newest office at 390 West Valley Parkway, Escondido.
The Super Dentists Escondido is accepting new pediatric, teen and parent patients. Our new office is two-stories with separate lounges, one for the kiddos and another one for teens and parents. We have highly-skilled pediatric dentists that specialize in treating children, general dentists for teens and adults and orthodontists right on-site, all the specialties your family needs under one roof.

We offer early and late appointments and accept most insurance plans, including Denti-cal. Se habla Espanol.

Call us today at 760-DENTIST, that’s 760-336-8478, you can also text us at 1-844-765-1234 or schedule online today!
We look forward to seeing you!

The Super Dentists is following all COVID guidelines and has put several safety protocols in place to keep everyone safe. 
Due to COVID, some of our amenities are temporarily unavailable. 

Click to watch the whole video.

The Super Dentists co-founder and dental expert, Dr. Kami Hoss, talks with KTLA 5 Los Angeles about California state-mandated school dental exams for kids starting kindergarten and first grade.
Find out why it’s so important to your children’s school career and dental health that they get this exam.

Click to watch the whole interview.

This article by Ian Lecklitner originally appeared on MEL.com

The Super Dentists co-founder, Dr. Kami Hoss, explains what makes The Super Dentists different and special, plus hear from Super Mom, Sara, about why her son likes to visit The Super Dentists.

Click to watch the entire interview!

When it comes to dental care, experts agree that starting early to develop proper oral hygiene habits is key. A variety of products aim to make brushing fun for little ones, but not all are created equal. What you need to know about fluoride and toddlers can make a difference when it comes time to choose from the array of candy-colored and bubblegum-flavored tubes of toothpaste on the market.

“Fluoride is present in some foods and naturally occurs in varying amounts in water sources such as lakes and rivers. It’s also added to some oral care products such as toothpastes — which has not been without controversy,” Dr. Kami Hoss, CEO and co-founder of The Super Dentists, the largest dental practice in southern California, tells Romper. “Advocates of fluoride refer to ‘systemic’ benefit of strengthening the tooth enamel when fluoride is taken in from foods, beverages, or dietary supplements. They also refer to the ‘topical’ benefit of fluoride in toothpastes in strengthening and remineralizing the enamel in the early stages of tooth decay.”

While the American Dental Association has long-recognized fluoride as “safe and effective in preventing tooth decay for both children and adults,” the mineral can pose a threat of toxicity if too much is ingested. This is why pediatric dentists are often cautious about young children and fluoride consumption. Learning more about fluoride use, the benefits, and the risks is vital for toddler parents.

You Can Start Using Fluoride Sooner Than You Think

Although your gut instinct may be to hold off on fluoride toothpaste until your toddler is older, Dr. Suzy Tavana, AAPD National Spokesperson and President of the California Society of Pediatric Dentistry, tells Romper that you can actually use it as soon as your child’s first tooth erupts.

“According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, as long as parents are brushing the teeth of their young children and helping to control the amount of toothpaste on the toothbrush, young children can start protecting that new enamel right away,” Tavana explains.

A Little Goes A Long Way

“Fluoride toothpaste protects teeth because it ‘heals’ cavities by hardening the enamel and preventing the spread of bacteria,” Tavana says. “But this is not one of those situations where more is better.” A small smear of toothpaste, no more than the size of a grain of rice, is the general recommendation for toddlers using fluoride toothpaste.

Tavana recommends that parents check the amount of fluoride in their water and keep an eye on their children’s use of toothpaste, and lean on recommendations from their pediatric dentist when it comes to a toddler’s fluoride intake, too.

“I always tell the parents in my office, ‘It should never look like a washing machine inside their mouth!’ A little fluoride goes a long way,” she adds.

Use Quality Products

Because the oral care products you use can make a difference in their overall health and wellness, experts recommend looking to your child’s dentist when it comes to choosing a toothpaste. They’ll be able to point you toward quality products that meet your toddler’s specific needs.

“Since children’s oral health needs vary, and we can assume toddlers would ingest some toothpaste during brushing, I would caution all parents against choosing a random over-the-counter toothpaste,” Hoss tells Romper. “It’s important that you discuss the particular needs of your children with their pediatric dentist, and only use oral care products that have been customized for them.”

Fluoride Risks Are Real

“Too much fluoride from any source over a long period of time can potentially cause dental fluorosis, which is a change in the color and appearance of the enamel,” Hoss says. “Additionally, if fluoride is swallowed in large amounts, it can lead to serious toxicity.”

This is why the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires warning labels for all toothpastes to caution parents to keep toothpastes out of reach of children under 6 years of age, and not to swallow more than is required for brushing.

“The FDA warning is particularly concerning regarding toddlers since a lot of toothpastes marketed to young children are flavored to taste good,” Hoss explains. “It’s hard enough to ask a toddler not to swallow something that’s in their mouth for two minutes (which is the length of time they need to brush), let alone when it has an irresistible flavor like candy, fruit, or bubble gum.”

Yes, Toddlers Do Need Some Fluoride

If you’re on the fence about fluoride consumption, it’s important to note that the mineral is actually something that can help keep your child’s teeth healthy, but it’s recommended to have consistent check-ins with their pediatric dentist to manage the amount they need. “Fluoride encourages ‘remineralization,’ a strengthening of weakened areas of tooth enamel,” Tavana says. “It also affects bacteria that cause cavities, discouraging acid attacks that break down teeth.”

Pediatric Dentists Can Help Determine Fluoride Needs

“Children aged 6 months to 16 years may need fluoride supplements if they drink water that is not optimally fluoridated,” Tavana says. “The pediatric dentist considers many different factors before recommending a fluoride supplement, including your child’s age, risk of dental decay, and the different liquids in your child’s eating habits.”

Seeing a pediatric dentist specifically is important in determining not only how much fluoride your child needs, but helping ensure they have complete oral care. “They have two to three years of additional training in which they are able to detect enamel deficiencies early, and guide families through the preventive steps they can take to ensure their children grow up cavity-free,” Tavana tells Romper.

Experts:

Dr. Kami Hoss, CEO and co-founder of The Super Dentists

Dr. Suzy Tavana, AAPD National Spokesperson and President of the California Society of Pediatric Dentistry

Source: This article, by Ashley Jones, originally appeared on Romper.com

Dr. Kami Hoss, Co-Founder and CEO of The Super Dentists, speaks with ABC News 10 about easing patients’ minds about going back to the dentist, he shares stats, talks about why he decided to write a book for parents about oral health (coming out early 2021) and teases a new Super Dentists’ song (coming out soon)!

Watch the entire interview.

The Super Dentists is San Diego’s largest, most trusted and top awarded pediatric dentistry, orthodontics and teen and adult dentistry practice in San Diego. Come see why 1 in every 5 kids in San Diego is a Super Kid. The Super Dentists has six convenient locations in San Diego: Carmel Valley, Chula Vista, EastLake, Escondido, Kearny Mesa and Oceanside. Call 1-855-GO-SUPER (467-8737) or text us at 1-844-765-1234.

This article originally appeared in Dentistry Today.

Hi Dr. Kami, you love what you do. It’s clear to anyone who knows you.

Why do you love what you do? What do you love most about it?

There are so many things I love about what I do. As a dentist and orthodontist, I can help people have more confidence, be happier and be healthier. Since oral health impacts so many aspects of our lives, I have an opportunity to help people in variety of ways. I also get to combine my love of science and art and use the hand dexterity I’ve developed from my musical training. And as the CEO of our company, I can help so many people follow their own dreams.

Are you pursuing your passion? If so, why? If not, why?

Absolutely, or I wouldn’t be doing it for so long. One of the secrets to happiness and success is loving what you do. It’s a wonderful feeling knowing you’re getting paid for something you’d gladly do otherwise.

How has the COVID-19Crisis changed how you think about work-life balance?

Work/life balance has always been important to me. Even though COVID-19 has impacted my life in many ways just like everyone else, I wouldn’t say it has made a big difference in this area. Obviously, I’ve had to juggle business crisis management while taking care of family like many business owners which has been extremely challenging.

How has the COVID-19 crisis affected your business?

I’ve been practicing for 24 years and like all businesses, we’ve been through many financial ups and downs and economic downturns during this period. But nothing has come even close to the impact COVID-19 crisis has had on the dental profession and our practice. Dental practices were closed across the country for close to 2 months and have just finally reopened in most states. Some surveys show that up to 20% of dental offices will never recuperate and will remain closed indefinitely. For those of us who have reopened, there are ongoing challenges with PPEs across the country, potential risks and employment issues as we develop new protocols and adhere to social distancing and other measures.

Have you had any epiphanies during or due to the COVID-19 crisis?

I just finished writing a book on the connection between oral health and overall health and was ready to have it published before the crisis happened. The COVID-19 crisis made it abundantly clear that our healthcare system needs to be reinvented and restructured from the ground-up. Dentistry and medicine should not be taught in two separate schools. As a member of board of counselors at UCLA School of Dentistry and as the founder of Howard Healthcare Academy, I’ll do everything I can to make this happen. The mouth is part of the body and in fact the gateway to it and nearly everything that enters the body goes through the mouth – COVID-19 is no exception.

What life experience do you think has had the biggest impact on you or your career?

Moving to the U.S. as a teenager. I grew up in Iran and one day when I was 15, my parents sat me and my siblings down and said we were going to leave Iran for good and we left two days later. Iran at the time was at war with Iraq and I was the oldest of my siblings and getting close to the age to get drafted to go to war. Universities were also closed during the war and education was very important to my family. My parents made the very difficult decision to leave everything they had behind and take us away. Luckily, because my father received his MBA in Boston when I was a child, we were able to get a visa to U.S. and moved here when I was a junior in high school. I think in some ways, I’ve always studied hard in school and worked hard in my business because of the sacrifice my parents made to provide us a better life. Deep down I don’t want to ever let them down.

What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned from your significant other, best friend, sibling or parent?

My wife is one of the smartest and most talented people I’ve ever met. We also work together. Although in our personal lives we have very similar likes and dislikes and we almost agree on everything, in our business we have very different views of things and have our own unique talents in opposite things. One of the most important things I’ve learned from our working relationship is how wonderful it is to work with people who are complementary with different talents than you. We help each other be better.

Can you tell us about a risk you took in life and why you are glad you took it?

When I was graduating from my orthodontic residency at USC, a practice business consultant sat me down and said, “Kami, I really like you. You’re a good student and I’m going to give you some advice before you graduate.” She told me not to move to San Diego since I grew up in L.A. and knew so many people there (I only knew one person in San Diego). She also told me not to work with my wife for the obvious reasons. My wife and I moved to San Diego the following week and started working together. These are probably two of the best decisions I ever made. Sometimes you have to go with your gut.

Can you tell us the story of how you started your business? How did you get your first client? What were the first steps or things you had to do to get started? If it started as a hobby how did it go from hobby to business?

When my wife and I moved to San Diego, we rented an office a couple of days a week in Chula Vista from a general dentist who had two offices. We asked him to leave some charts in his cabinet so it didn’t look empty when we would see our patients. We bought a scheduling book and hired someone part-time and asked her to get an extra phone in her house with our number since we couldn’t afford having her in the office full time. We also gave her instructions to schedule any patients she would get on the phone in the same day and time so the office wouldn’t look empty. A few years later, we became the largest pediatric group dental practice in San Diego with offices all over the county.

Risk taking: how do you think about risk, what role has taking risks played in your life/career?

Life is about taking risks and managing them, but I think everyone should find the balance that they’re comfortable with. I’d like to think the risks I take are carefully planned and I have a safety net and a back-up plan if I fail. I do expect some of my risks to fail or otherwise I think I’m not taking enough risks.

If you are a parent, what do you think is the most important thing you’ve done as a parent in terms of the impact on your children?

Other than my love, I believe my time and my knowledge of the world are the most important things I can give to anyone including my child. I try to do as much of that as possible.

What is the most important factor behind your success / the success of your brand?

I think there are always many factors behind a brand’s success. For us, one of the most important is that we know our customers and we fix their pain – literally in this case. We’ve been able to figure out how to take a business that is typically feared and/or hated (dentistry) and make it into one that kids literally beg to visit The Super Dentists. Early on in my career, I used to think my customers were the parents (especially moms) because they’re the ones who would bring the kids in and sign the checks. But one day I had an epiphany and realized I was wrong. Once I realized kids were my customers, I built my whole practice supporting their needs and wants, and parents followed.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

The Super Dentists is San Diego’s largest, most trusted and top awarded Pediatric Dentistry, Orthodontics and Teen and Adult Dentistry practice – one in every five kids in San Diego is a Super Kid and we’re proud of that accomplishment! We create the most unique and out-of-this-world dental experience for children and parents. We’re the only office in the world where kids ask (many times, beg!) their parents to take them to the dentist!

The Super Dentists take advantage of the latest in preventative and restorative treatments and are Clear Aligners and AccelaDent accelerated orthodontics specialists. With locations throughout San Diego (Kearny Mesa, Carmel Valley, Chula Vista, East Lake, Oceanside, and Escondido), and growing, we give back to whenever possible with a focus on kids and education. One of our largest programs is an in-classroom dental education program reaching thousands of kids annually, we also host and sponsor dozens of events, and provide complimentary dental care to those in need through our Free Dental Day events, held annually.

I have decades of experience working in the dental space and my practice has treated hundreds of thousands of patients, but it’s important to stay current in the industry. So, I stay active. I recently joined the Board of Counselors at UCLA’s School of Dentistry, I have served on faculty at Howard Healthcare Academy and University of Southern California’s postgraduate orthodontic program and I’m a member of the American Association of Orthodontists, American Dental Association, California Dental Association, and San Diego Dental Society. For more information, visit www.DrKamiHoss.com

Any great local spots you’d like to shoutout?

My favorite spots during the pandemic: bedroom, kitchen and home-office. Post-pandemic: A trip over the bridge to Coronado Island. A stop for a hazelnut iced coffee at the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. Lunch at George’s balcony in La Jolla for a spectacular view of the ocean. Walk along the beach. An afternoon movie in a packed theater with a large popcorn. Dinner at Roy’s starting with a lychee martini. Uber home.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

I’ve been very fortunate to have many good role models throughout my life. From my parents to teachers and friends along the way, so many deserve credit for my personal and professional successes. However, the shout-out to the person with the biggest influence on me easily goes to my beautiful wife. She and I met in high school and went to our senior prom as our first date. Since then we’ve always been best friends and partners in life and work.

Website: www.thesuperdentists.com
Instagram: thesuperdentists
Linkedin: @thesuperdentists
Twitter: TheSuperDentists
Facebook: @TheSuperDentists
Youtube: The Super Dentists

Photos: The Super Dentists

I am a dad and a dentist: here are 10 things to expect when your child goes in for a check-up post-COVID

By Dr. Kami Hoss, dad and Dentist

States have been reopening and closing again for the last couple of months. At the right time, as dental offices reopen, parents will want to schedule or reschedule their children’s appointments for teeth cleaning, orthodontic treatment or other oral care. Trust me, as a parent to an 8-year-old boy and as a dentist and orthodontist, this topic is on my mind. COVID-19 has presented dentists with challenges—just like all businesses—and you should understand the situation your family is walking into. The good news is that dentists have always effectively dealt with spreadable diseases and will follow a number of protocols to ensure a safe visit.

For decades, dentists have had to deal with viruses (such as Hepatitis and many others). In fact, they use “universal precautions,” meaning dentists treat everyone like they have those viruses by having infection-control processes in place that are going to be also effective for COVID-19. The difference is that the transmission of COVID-19 can be more challenging (droplets in air and surfaces), so dentists have developed additional protocols to protect everyone.

Why visits are vital

As a father myself, I understand how protective parents are of their children. At the same time, COVID-19 doesn’t mean your child can sit out dental care for 2020. For example, cavities get bigger and turn into infections, and then they can require hospitalization or cause further issues.

Plain and simple, professional dental care is still needed for many—especially children, of which 42% aged 2-11 will develop cavities. For the littlest ones, enamel on baby teeth is thinner than on permanent teeth, and the pulp is relatively larger, so dental decay can spread to nerves faster. For all kids, orthodontic problems (oral development, dental crowding, bite problems, etc.) don’t stop because there is a pandemic: And there is a limited window of opportunity during which treatment will get ideal results and once that window closes, treatment options may become limited or more invasive, and the result can be significantly compromised. In other words, skipping the dentist for several months or a year is a bad idea for a kid’s well-being.

Therefore, as you look to take care of your children’s oral health, know that your family’s next trip to the dentist will look significantly different than your last one, pre-COVID-19. Let’s take a look at what dentists around the country are going to be doing to keep everyone safe.

Oral health’s new normal

Since March, dentist’s offices have been mostly closed nationwide except for emergency procedures. Now, offices are opening back up for routine care everywhere. If the dentist is following the American Dental Association’s (ADA) recommendations for reopening, here are 10 things parents can expect to experience before, during, and after their child’s next visit:

1. A welcome-back letter or email, letting you know what exactly your dentist is doing for up-to-date infection control measures.

2. A pre-visit screening that will take place before you ever step into the office, to ensure you and your child have no COVID-19 symptoms. This screening may take place over the phone or via videoconferencing.

3. There will be unusual “asks.” For instance, dentists are being advised to consider asking patients to wait in their cars or nearby instead of the waiting room to avoid spreading coronavirus. And they are being advised to ask patients to bring in their own pens for filling out forms to preempt the sharing of germs.

4. Dentists are limiting the number of people in their offices. Therefore, parents may be asked to send in children—who are old enough—by themselves or limit it to only one parent with his/her child(ren).

5. After your family walks into a dentist’s office, there will be extra registration procedures. These will include sanitizing your hands near the front desk and getting your temperature checked.

6. The child and accompanying parents should be prepared to wear a mask upon entering the office and keep it on before and after their care session.

7. If waiting rooms are large enough to enable six-foot distancing, parents will find those rooms to be very different compared to the recent past. There will be no toys, crayons and coloring books, reading materials, and TV remote controls laying around.

8. Front-desk clerks will constantly disinfect all surfaces, clipboards, and other objects to avoid spread, and computers and keyboards will be covered with flexible, clear barriers that will be changed regularly. And clerks will also wear masks, goggles and/or face shields.

9. Operatory staff will be kept to a minimum. The hustle-and-bustle of the old dental office—with people constantly passing by in the hallway—will not be seen again for a while.

10. At the end of the visit, expect your dentist to request that you call his or her office if you or your child get any COVID-19 symptoms up to two weeks after your visit.

Don’t fear the dentist

Indeed, we are about to enter a new normal for dental patients young and old, but we can all get through it safely when dentists follow the ADA’s recommendations. Kids need their dentist as much as ever, especially during this crisis because a healthy mouth maintains a healthy body.

So if you have a child as I do, don’t fear the dentist because the ramifications of ignoring their oral health are too great. At the same time, keep in mind that your family’s next dental appointment is going to be noticeably different than previous visits.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Dr. Kami Hoss is a San Diego-based dentist, author, and philanthropist.

Source: This article originally appeared in First Time Parent Magazine. Read it here.

The Super Dentists is San Diego’s largest, most trusted and top awarded pediatric dentistry, orthodontics and teen and adult dentistry practice in San Diego. Come see why 1 in every 5 kids in San Diego is a Super Kid. The Super Dentists has six convenient locations in San Diego: Carmel Valley, Chula Vista, EastLake, Escondido, Kearny Mesa and Oceanside. We accept Medi-cal and most insurance. Call 1-855-GO-SUPER (467-8737) or text us at 1-844-765-1234.

Dr. Kami Hoss, Co-Founder and CEO of The Super Dentists, speaks with nationally-syndicated radio host, Chip Franklin, about the experience of going back to the dentist.
Listen to the entire interview here.

The Super Dentists is San Diego’s largest, most trusted and top awarded pediatric dentistry, orthodontics and teen and adult dentistry practice in San Diego. Come see why 1 in every 5 kids in San Diego is a Super Kid. The Super Dentists has six convenient locations in San Diego: Carmel Valley, Chula Vista, EastLake, Escondido, Kearny Mesa and Oceanside. We accept Medi-cal and most insurance. Call 1-855-GO-SUPER (467-8737) or text us at 1-844-765-1234.

Is it safe to see your doctor in person, get an elective procedure, or have your child vaccinated?

What to know and what to do.

Shutdowns have been necessary to “flatten the curve” of the coronavirus pandemic and lessen the impact on our health care system, but these steps may also be leading to worrisome delays in key health checkups and procedures worldwide.

Why it matters: An interruption of vaccination campaigns, dental checkups, and preventative cancer screenings, plus stories of people being afraid to go to the hospital for emergencies, have led to concerns about growing issues down the road, experts tell Axios.

What’s happening: The medical establishments advised the temporary halt of preventative and elective procedures to lower the trajectory of COVID-19 infections and allow physicians to focus on the ill — but pieces of data and anecdotal evidence are starting to show what longer term problems this may pose for society.

• “We’re definitely seeing both direct and indirect evidence that essential health services for conditions other than COVID-19 are definitely suffering during the pandemic,” Julie Fischer, professor of microbiology and immunology at Georgetown University, tells Axios.
• “We’re seeing delays for two reasons. The first is that there’s been a lot of informal reports that people are worried about being exposed to COVID-19. They are themselves deciding not to go seek treatment or preventive care. And then in other places, clinics and practices have been closed to non-essential health services,” Fischer says.
• And, as the New York Times writes, it’s often those “gray zone[s] of medical risk” that pose problems.

1. Vaccine campaigns have been disrupted globally — which could lead to an explosion of other infectious diseases like measles and polio once people start moving around again, Fischer says.

• Routine vaccinations in the U.S. appear to have dropped dramatically in March and April, per a CDC report out Friday that found there was a “notable decrease” in vaccines ordered through a key federal program.
• Globally, “we’ve already got delays of 13 introductions and 35 campaigns, and these are vaccines like typhoid and rotavirus. … Polio campaigns have been stopped. Measles and rubella have been stopped. You need to keep in mind that in the [Democratic Republic of Congo], two and a half times as many people died of measles ultimately than died of Ebola,” Seth Berkley, CEO of the nonprofit Gavi, the vaccine alliance, said at an April 30 press conference.
• In an effort to stay on top of important vaccinations, doctors are implementing new safety protocols, like meeting patients outside to give them a vaccination in their car, Fischer says.

2. Dental checkups postponed. The CDC and the American Dental Association recommended that dentists close for non-urgent visits, but this has led to an increase of people waiting too long for issues that can worsen quickly, says Kami Hoss, CEO of the Super Dentists, one of the largest dental groups in Southern California.

• “Just in the last six or seven weeks that we’ve been closed, the number of emergencies and the severity of them have increased dramatically,” Dr. Hoss tells Axios.
  “When you have infection in the mouth it can be very dangerous and it can transfer to any other part of the body,” he says.
• During the hiatus, some dentists have prepared for reopening by adding “a significant number of new protocols” to what were already strict universal precautions, as dentists are used to dealing with pathogen risk, he adds. But, some are reporting difficulty implementing the new rules as they begin to reopen.
• The ADA has a map showing reopening status by state.

3. Avoiding the ER despite need. Anecdotal evidence points to many Americans refusing to go to the emergency room for serious emergencies like appendicitis and heart attacks and strokes.

• “There are a lot of anecdotal reports that people are afraid to go to hospitals for emergencies. I think that’s it’s going to be difficult to assess what the total impact is until the pandemic starts to ease up enough that we get good data,” Fischer says.

4. Preventive care and cancer screenings dropped. While cancer patients should continue their treatment regime, the temporary halt in screenings isn’t likely a huge concern yet, according to Fischer.

• Telemedicine is helping doctors maintain contact with patients and can let that person know when it’s important to see a doctor in person.
• However, data from the Epic Health Research Center indicates a large drop of 86%-94% in March in the number of screenings for cervical cancer, colon cancer, and breast cancer — all of which typically demonstrate better rates of survival when caught early.

What’s next: As shutdowns gradually loosen in some areas, doctors are expected to start opening their doors for preventive care with new protocols in place.

• Fischer says to expect new rules concerning social distancing and sanitation, stricter preliminary checks on the health of anyone entering offices, and a large backlog of needed appointments for offices that are likely to stagger them more carefully.

Here is the link to the original article from the Axios.

The COVID-19 pandemic is taking a huge toll on healthcare in the US, with the medical system straining over rising cases many elective health procedures have been postponed. According to a new Hill-HarrisX survey, participants said they are missing care such as dentist appointments, annual exams, and counseling sessions amid the crisis.

Thirty-five percent of the registered poll voters said they have missed a dentist appointment due to the outbreak, topping the list along with annual medical examination.

Dr. Kami Hoss, co-founder, and CEO of the Super Dentists, a leading multi-specialty dental practice in the United States, told MEA WorldWide exclusively that the situation might not get worse but not any better after the dental offices reopen.

Dr. Hoss also said that dentistry should be prioritized during PPE dissemination because it’s one of highest at-risk professions amid the COVID-19 crisis.

“There is still a significant shortage of PPEs across the country and the world and this is while dental offices have been closed throughout the country. As dental offices are now reopening, and considering the fact that dentists are at one of the highest at-risk professions for this virus (for obvious reasons since they work in the mouth), the shortages will be felt even more especially within the dental community.

“Up to this point, the priority for PPEs has been (rightfully so) given to the first-responders and nurses and physicians. However, as dental offices are re-opening, the priorities now need to shift to include dentists and other dental professionals like assistants and hygienists,” said the dentist, whose practice is one of the largest dental groups in Southern California.

Talking about social distancing measures in the dental profession, Dr. Hoss said most likely appointments will be given to fewer patients than earlier. He also noted that some dental offices will have to increase their business hours to clear patients backlog that has piled up.

Discussing aerosol-producing procedures, Dr Hoss said depending on the layout of dental offices, dentists may have to modify or eliminate some procedures. “Offices with individual/contained dental treatment rooms can treat patients with aerosol-generating procedures easier. Additionally, many offices including ours have invested in some new high-speed aerosol over-the-patient vacuum system to collect any remaining aerosols that leave the patients’ mouths,” he said.

Continuing further, Dr. Hoss said not just the dental patients, the pandemic could have a significant impact on the business of dentistry due to several factors, including the “cost of all the new protocols, equipment, reduction of the number of patients because of social distancing, postponement of certain procedures (cosmetic work for example), increase in the cost of insurance, potential additional equipment’s or protocols in the near future such as rapid COVID-19 testing in dental offices (ADA has requested HHS to allow for us).”

“Offices need to also provide social distancing between patients and dental chairs. Some may have to create ‘virtual waiting rooms’ to allow patients to use their cars as temporary waiting rooms,” he added.

In addition, Dr. Hoss advised people who are experiencing unbearable pain and not being able to see their dentist to “avoid doing DIY dental procedures at home because they could cause more harm than good.”

He said patients could seek treatment through other offices that are currently open for emergencies and also insisted on “in-home dental hygiene”.

“Individuals with poor oral hygiene and those who have difficulty with brushing and flossing can use oral rinses, such as hydrogen peroxide and chlorhexidine mouthwash, that are available for home delivery via many online retailers. In addition, to promote oral health, seniors and others with dentures should remove them before sleeping,” Dr. Hoss concluded.

Here is a link to the original article from the MEA WorldWide.

Dr. Kami Hoss has announced the opening of its much-anticipated, sixth location, in Escondido. The new office, located at 390 West Valley Parkway, is now open for business and taking appointments.

The Super Dentist’s mission is to reinvent and transform dentistry. Since 1996, Dr. Kami Hoss, DDS, MS, and his wife and business partner, Dr. Nazli Keri, DDS, have built The Super Dentists into the largest, most trusted, and top-awarded pediatric dentistry, orthodontics and Teen and Adult Dentistry practice in San Diego.

Everything they do is centered around kids. All of their dentists are specialists in pediatric dentistry, and The Super Dentists use the latest in dental technology to make children’s dental visits more comfortable. Its superhero-themed offices feature lounges with games and movies, all created with the goal of creating positive associations with going to the dentists.

The Escondido location will feature the first-ever Super Slide for kids (and adults) so they can slide from the main pediatric level to the lower VIP level where there is a separate lounge and treatment area for teens and parents. Teens and parents receive their own amenities like massage chairs, complimentary childcare, aromatherapy, and customized lattes.

“Escondido is an amazing community and we’re excited to introduce Escondido families to an out-of-this-world dental experience,” said Dr. Kami Hoss, co-founder of The Super Dentists. “We look forward to being a good neighbor and will continue to seek out more opportunities to connect with the Escondido community.”

In the last six months, The Super Dentists has sponsored and participated in Escondido’s Grand Avenue Festival, sponsoring the Children’s stage; sponsored the Escondido Chamber of Commerce’s “Community in Unity” event over the holidays and is working on a partnership with Ice-Plex. They also teamed up with the San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum in Escondido on Grin Land! (open through February 28) an exhibit that shows kids that a visit to the dentist is not so scary. Fun, interactive displays include life-sized tools and props (including giant floss, teeth, and toothbrushes), a reception desk, special meet-and-greets with The Super Dentists ToothKeri character, and educational activities.

The Super Dentists are passionate about kids and education and will be offering complimentary dental hygiene presentations to Escondido schools. The 30-minute presentations feature puppets and visual aids and are appropriate for Pre-K through fifth grade, plus each child receives a goody bag to take home. Teachers can schedule their complimentary presentations by emailing schoolrep@TheSuperDentists.com.

Here is a link to the original article from the Times-Advocate.

The Virtual Super Lounge was featured on Fox 5 News San Diego. Watch the video below!

San Diego Public Library

People of all ages can register for the San Diego Public Library’s Spring into Reading program. Click here to visit their online library and see links to extensive resources to keep your kids enjoying books and stories. We think your kids will love BookFlix, a literacy resource that pairs classic children’s video storybooks with related nonfiction eBooks from Scholastic. This is an interactive way to build a love of reading and learning.

Take A Virtual Tour Of Bryce Canyon!

We actually had fun visiting Bryce Canyon virtually. This tour is visually spectacular, educational, and there are additional links to other national parks. I highly recommend it!

Explore More Than 32,000 Paintings With Google Arts & Culture

Google Arts & Culture is a free app & website that takes visitors on a virtual tour of museums around the world. Visit The Museum of Modern Art, The Van Gogh Museum and more for free from your own living room!

Cook With Your Kids Check Out This Easy Bread Recipe

King Arthur Flour has an online tutorial CLICK HERE FOR FREE RECIPE BOOKLET

Trek Across The Great Wall of China Virtually!

The Great Wall is 4,000 miles long, 3,000 are walkable. To start your own trek across this New Wonder of the World—without your gym shoes—visit virtually instead.

Calling All Aspiring Builders Take The Lego Building Challenge

Children can participate in this weekly Lego competition, and post their creations. Each week LEGOLAND California will announce a new theme and release a new how to build video. On Fridays, they’ll highlight some of the builds posted on their social sites.

Little Ones Can Jam With Kathryn The Grape On Youtube!

Musician, author and Mom’s Choice award winner Kathryn The Grape has a new Youtube channel with plenty of great songs, stories, and visuals. All of KTG’s music and stories are uplifting with a positive message we can all use in these trying times.

Listen to Hullabaloo Radio Hour

Sit back and listen to good, old-fashioned radio. The Hullabaloo radio hour is online. Stay tuned for Steve’s weekly livestream show sponsored by Del Mar Highlands on Thursdays at 10 a.m.

The Toddler Preschool Set Will Love Ruth & Emilia!

Check Out Ruth and Emilia a San Diego mother & daughter music duo’s new video Kokowanda Bay!

San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum

Visit SDCDM’s Facebook page for an array of super fun and educational activities kids can do at home. They recently took kids around the world to India for a World Culture Activity that included a printable bingo card to follow along. The Museum is also posting art activities of the day and Facebook Live storytime sessions.

ZenTotz

The ZenTotz Program: Mindfulness, Meditation & Yoga for Youth! Provides free guided meditations, story-times and mindfulness lessons during the school closure. Follow @zen.totz on Instagram and tap their profile picture to view the live feed. Here’s their schedule for upcoming activities.

The New Children’s Museum

The New Children’s Museum’s Facebook page is full of fun art ideas for kids. They’re now offering coloring pages inspired by the Museum’s installations and spaces. Each week they’ll be releasing a few new coloring pages for kids to creatively color at home. This coloring page is inspired by their entry bridge mural, SMILE by artist PANCA, “because everyone could use a cheery smile right now.” Download and print the PDF here. Additionally, their Facebook page offers other artistic activities from making kaleidoscopes out of empty toilet paper rolls to DIY Marbling. Don’t miss their Toddler Time at home! Their Toddler Time programming will be available via their social media channels (Instagram, Facebook and Twitter) every Friday at 10 a.m.

The Super Dentists Free Online Games For Kids!

The super hero dentists have a new free online tool kit – https://www.thesuperdentists.com/virtualsuperlounge/ – activities include coloring book, word play, labyrinths, videos, checklists and more!

Here is a link to the original article from the Macaroni Kid.

Dr. Kami Hoss and The Super Dentists recently announced the opening of their muchanticipated sixth location in Escondido. The new office will feature the first-ever Super Slide for kids (and adults!), transporting them from the main pediatric and orthodontic level to the lower VIP level, where there is a separate lounge and treatment area for teens and parents with amenities like massage chairs, complimentary childcare, aromatherapy, and customized lattes.

The Super Dentists team started to make a positive impact in the Escondido community even before the new office opened. They have been making connections with the Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Business Association, Tourism Board, and local businesses and groups such as IcePlex, San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum, and Girl Scouts. The Super Dentists are a premier sponsor of Grin Land at the San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum, an exhibit that shows kids that a visit to the dentist doesn’t have to be scary. They also sponsored the Children’s Stage at the Grand Avenue Festival in October, the Escondido Chamber of Commerce’s Community in Unity event in December, and plan to get involved in more Escondido events in the coming year.

“Escondido is an amazing community and we’re excited to introduce Escondido families to an out-of-this-world dental experience,” said Dr. Kami Hoss. “We look forward to being a good neighbor and are actively seeking additional opportunities to connect with the Escondido community.”

Since 1996, Dr. Kami Hoss and his wife and business partner, Dr. Nazli Keri, have built The Super Dentists into the largest, most trusted, and top-awarded pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, and teen and adult dentistry practice in San Diego. All of their dentists who work on kids are specialists in pediatric dentistry, and The Super Dentists use the latest in dental technology to make children’s dental visits more comfortable. The superhero-themed offices feature lounges with games and movies, all with the goal of creating positive associations with going to the dentist.

The Super Dentists Escondido office is now open for business and taking appointments. They will host a grand opening celebration for the community in the spring. The event will include a Free Dental Day, where The Super Dentists provide complimentary dental exams to children in need.

Here is a link to the original article from 92130 Magazine.

Dr. Kami Hoss of San Diego’s Super Dentists recently announced a giveaway offering five lucky winners the chance to win annual passes to a Southern California theme park.

The contest celebrates the launch of The Super Toothbrush Collector’s Edition, a 4-pack of toothbrushes, targeted for kids ages 4 to 7, that features some of The Super Dentists most popular characters, augmented reality, a two-minute toothbrushing song and a year’s worth of toothbrushes.

Five “Golden Stickers” have been inserted in the boxes, offering the recipient a chance to win four premium annual passes. Winners will also receive a lifetime supply of The Super Toothbrush and a VIP tour of The Super Dentists’ Operations.

“We’ve sold thousands of The Super Toothbrush since launching it in July. The response from our patients has been overwhelmingly positive. Patients send me videos of kids dancing along to our song and even sleeping with our toothbrushes,” said Dr. Kami Hoss, co-founder of The Super Dentists. “With this contest, you’re not only getting a year’s worth of toothbrushes at a great price, but a chance to win amazing prizes.”

The public can purchase the toothbrush pack at any of the five Super Dentists offices in San Diego before Dec. 31. The winners will receive their prizes in early 2020.

For more information about the contest or The Super Toothbrush, go to TheSuperDentists.com/TheSuperToothbrush.

Here is a link to the original article from the Times of San Diego.

Nearly two dozen students graduated from the Howard Healthcare Academy, a Dental Assisting school founded by Dr. Kami Hoss.

Check out the full segment from ABC News about HHA graduation below.

Nearly two dozen students graduated this week from the Howard Healthcare Academy, a California dental school. The students completed the Registered Dental Assistant program.

Part of this fall graduating class includes six students from the former Brightwood College, which suddenly closed December 2018, leaving students stranded mid-program. When the school folded, Howard HealthCare Academy awarded scholarships to the students and assisted in transferring 78% of them to Howard Healthcare Academy to complete their dental assisting studies.

The graduates celebrated the event by hearing from guest speaker Dr. Kami Hoss, one of the school’s co-founders, as well as co-founder of The Super Dentists, the largest pediatric dental practice in San Diego. Hoss said he created the school because he found a need for highly trained dental assistants.

For more information about Howard Healthcare Academy, go to howardacademy.com.

Here is a link to the original article from Times of San Diego!

ESCONDIDO — Chairs in the shape of teeth, jumbo toothbrushes and a dentist’s coat make up the recently unveiled exhibit at the San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum in Escondido.

Sponsored by insurance provider Delta Dental and local company The Super Dentists, “Grin Land!” features a behind-the-scenes look at a dental office. Children are encouraged to role play as a dentist or patient, read dental X-rays, use dental tools and learn about healthy and unhealthy foods.

Wendy Taylor, executive director of the museum, said the exhibit is located in the museum’s “Our Town” space to help children become familiar with experiences in “their daily lives, while inspiring career exploration through imaginary play.”

“We decided to feature a dentist office exhibit because it is an experience that all children have, and it can often be a scary moment for young children,” Taylor said. “By experiencing a dentist office in a safe, fun place like our museum, children gain confidence for their next visit to the dentist.”

Taylor said it’s important for the museum to inform the public about dental health as “only a fraction of children visit the dentist by age 1 and 20% of young children have untreated cavities.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in five children between the ages of 5 and 11 have at least one untreated, decayed tooth. Children from low-income families are also 25% more likely to have cavities compared to children from higher-income homes, according to the agency.

That knowledge is why The Super Dentists chose to help design and sponsor the latest exhibit. Dr. Kami Hoss, co-founder of the company said poor dental health can affect one’s entire body.

“Some people may not know the importance of a healthy mouth and the life-changing impact it can have on them and on their children,” Hoss said. “Poor oral health doesn’t just cause a little hole in the tooth that the dentist can easily fill. Cavities is just the tip of the iceberg since it’s a sign of a bacterial imbalance with potentially whole-body consequences.”

Hoss said “an unhealthy mouth is dangerous to your heart, lungs, brain and unborn baby. Oral health impacts the quality of your life, your psychological health and even your longevity.”

Hoss recommends that parents help their children brush their teeth at least twice a day for two minutes and floss once a day. He also encourages making trips to the dentist as enjoyable as possible.

“You can pass your own fear of the dentist down to your children so make a trip to the dentist a fun family outing instead of something to fear or dread,” Hoss said. “That subtle shift can make a huge difference in how your child perceives the dentist throughout their childhood.”

The San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum is open 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday with extended hours on Wednesday. The Grin Land! exhibit is included with regular admission.

For more information about Grin Land! or the museum, go to sdcdm.org.

Here is a link to the original article from the Coast News Group.

The Super Dentists “Grin-Land!” Exhibit at The San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum was featured in CBS News 8 San Diego.

Check out the full video below!

San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum in Escondido recently unveiled a new exhibit aiming to teach children and families about dental care.

Grin Land! is located in the “Our Town: Careers and Community exhibit space,” an area dedicated to helping children ages 0 to 10 familiarize themselves with different experiences or places they might encounter in their daily lives, and to inspiring career exploration through role play.

“We wanted to create an exhibit that would both be fun and educational for families, and address a critical issue for children in our community,” said executive director Wendy Taylor. “Twenty percent of young children have untreated cavities, which can cause pain and infections leading to problems with eating, speaking, playing, and learning. Children who have poor oral health often miss more school and receive lower grades.”

Sponsored by The Super Dentists, the exhibit includes life-sized tools and props, display of healthy and unhealthy foods and reception desk.

“The Super Dentists are very active in the San Diego community, especially with causes related to kids and education, so partnering with the museum was a great fit,” said Kami Hoss, co-founder of The Super Dentists. “Our aim is to take an experience, like going to the dentist, which is typically feared, and make it fun and positive. We know if kids like going to the dentist, they will take care of their mouths for the rest of their lives.”

Grin Land! is included with museum admission.

For more information about San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum, visit sdcdm.org.

Here is a link to the original article from the Times of San Diego.

The Super Dentists marketing crew was SUPER excited to take home a Gold Award for our Augmented Reality launch at the 2019 Health Care Communicators of San Diego Finest Awards. Other winners included UC San Diego Health, who received 15 awards and Scripps Health took home 14 awards.

Other multiple award winners included Palomar Health (11), Torrance-based Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center (8), Millennium Health (7), Children’s Hospital of Orange County (6), Rady Children’s Hospital (4), Reflexion Health (4), Loma Linda University Health (4), Sharp Grossmont Hospital (3), North County Health Services (2) and AMN Healthcare (2).You can read about the other big winners of the event by following this URL:  http://www.hccsd.org/Finest

(Escondido, CA – September 10, 2019) San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum is excited to announce a new interactive and educational exhibit for young children and their caregivers – Grin Land!

Grin Land!, which opens September 17, will be located in the Our Town: Careers and Community exhibit space; an area dedicated to helping children ages 0 to 10 familiarize themselves with different experiences or places they might encounter in their daily lives, and to inspiring career exploration through role play.

The dental office exhibit will introduce children and families to the importance and value of dental hygiene and overall health in a playful way. “We wanted to create an exhibit that would both be fun and educational for families, and address a critical issue for children in our community. Twenty percent of young children have untreated cavities, which can cause pain and infections leading to problems with eating, speaking, playing, and learning. Children who have poor oral health often miss more school and receive lower grades,” says executive director Wendy Taylor.

Fun and interactive displays with life-sized tools and props (including giant floss, teeth and toothbrushes), a reception desk sponsored by San Diego pediatric dentistry, teen and adult dentistry and orthodontics practice The Super Dentists, special meet-and-greets, and educational activities will allow children, as well as parents, to gain a better understanding of the importance of dental hygiene. The hands-on experience will show children that visiting the dentist can be fun.

“The Super Dentists are very active in the San Diego community, especially with causes related to kids and education, so partnering with the museum was a great fit,” says Dr. Kami Hoss, co-founder of The Super Dentists. “Our aim is to take an experience, like going to the dentist, which is typically feared, and make it fun and positive. We know if kids like going to the dentist, they will take care of their mouths for the rest of their lives.”

The Grin Land! exhibit was preceded by Neighborhood Heroes, dedicated to introducing children to the world of first responders. The exhibit closed on September 3.

Grin Land! is included with museum admission and sponsored by The Super Dentists.

For more information about San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum, visit sdcdm.org

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ABOUT San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum

San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum (SDCDM)’s mission is to inspire children to learn about our world through exploration, imagination, and experimentation.  The Museum’s hands-on educational exhibits and programs focus on science, art, and world cultures for children up to age 10.  The Museum designs and fabricates its own exhibits, with new exhibits added each month. New exhibits at the facility include Floating Objects, Base Camp, Nature Play, Water Wise Interactive and Living Water Tables, Children’s Discovery Garden, Kids Global Village, Reading Book Nook, Toddler Tide Pool, Our Town: Careers & Community, and Magnification Station. The Museum is open every day except Mondays.

Admission is $9.50 per person, $6.50 for military, and free for children 12 months and younger. Memberships, group discounts, birthday parties, and summer camps are available. San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum is affiliated with the Association of Children’s Museums, as well as the San Diego Museum Council.

Super Dentists, Del Mar Schools Announce Partnership to Educate Families

The Del Mar Union School District and local business, The Super Dentists, recently announced a partnership to help families combat childhood dental decay.

The partnership, which comes as California students are required to show proof of a dental examination prior to entering school, will educate local families about the importance of good oral health and help them comply with the law.

“Cavities indicate a bacterial imbalance which can be a sign of serious health issues,” said Kami Hoss, CEO of The Super Dentists. “Poor oral health can impact: a child’s oral and facial growth and development, confidence and psychological health and long-term physical health and even longevity.”

More than half of California kindergartners have dental decay, which has become the most common chronic disease in children today. Childhood dental tooth decay is four times more common than early childhood obesity, five times more common than asthma and 20 times more common than diabetes, according to American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.

Other statistics include:

• By the time California’s children reach third grade, 70 percent have dental decay, causing them to miss 51 million school hours
• 1 in five California kindergartners have more than seven cavities
• 70 percent of California third graders have dental decay
• 35 percent of children brush their teeth less than twice a day

Because oral care is a critical part of essential whole-person healthcare, this partnership will support student achievement and provide mutual assistance and benefits through shared time and resources, school leaders said.

“The Super Dentists is only the sixth corporate entity the district has chosen to officially partner with, because of their longtime commitment to San Diego,” said Jason Romero, assistant superintendent, Del Mar Unified School District.

The original post can be read at: https://timesofsandiego.com/education/2019/08/26/super-dentists-del-mar-schools-announce-partnership-to-educate-families/

CBS 8 San Diego’s Ashley Jacobs visited The Super Dentists for National Tooth Fairy Day. The Tooth Fairy makes losing a tooth a bit less scary for kids, and The Super Dentists makes coming to see the dentist less scary for kids and adults. We talked with Ashley about all the ways The Tooth Fairy has upped her game. We also had Dr. Sean Bastani featured as he talked about the best age to bring your child to the dentist.

Ultimately, the end goal is the same, making sure kids take care of their teeth so they’ll have super smiles for years to come!

Check out the full video below!

The video can also be seen on the CBS 8 San Diego website here!

https://www.cbs8.com/video/news/local/daily-dose/does-your-child-meet-school-dental-requirements/509-5ce20ba9-3218-420e-89c6-eb2f5dc90293?jwsource=cl

The Super Dentists have been featured on Del Mar Times. Read the story below:

The Del Mar Union School District celebrated a new cavity-fighting corporate partnership at its July 31 board meeting, teaming up with The Super Dentists, a leader in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics in San Diego for 23 years. Dr. Kami Hoss (also known as Dr. Have One Super Smile) and his wife Dr. Nazli Keri (aka The Tooth Keri) opened up their Carmel Valley location in 2014—they have four other locations countywide with an Escondido practice coming soon.

Jason Romero, assistant superintendent of human resources, said The Super Dentists’ vision aligns with what they are doing at school district as far as creativity and innovation, as well as promoting a healthy smile for all children.

The Super Dentists offer the newest dental technologies to provide the most comfortable, safe and effective treatments for kids as well as an “extraordinary experience” that makes going to the dentist fun. The dentist office is designed to look like a super hero theme park—there are video games, photo booths and a toy store to purchase prizes when Super Kids rack up points for things like having a checkout with no cavities, losing a baby tooth or being on time for an appointment.

The orthodontic offices are made to look like a rocketship port.

Additionally, The Super Dentists focus on outreach and education with more than 30,000 school education visits throughout the county on dental health and hygiene. They are an active participant at Junior Achievement of San Diego’s BizTown and in 2018 they opened Howard Healthcare Academy, a new state-of-the-art dental assistant school.

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, childhood dental tooth decay is four times more common than early childhood obesity, five times more common than asthma and 20 times more common than diabetes. One in five California kindergartners has more than seven cavities.

“Cavities indicate a bacterial imbalance which can be a sign of serious health issues,” said Dr. Kami Hoss. “Poor oral health can impact a child’s oral and facial growth and development, confidence and psychological health and long-term physical health and even longevity.”

California students are required to show proof of a dental examination prior to entry into school. Del Mar Union School District welcomes 750 to 1,000 new families each year, many who are new to California and the screening law.

As oral care is an essential part of overall health and wellness, the new corporate partnership will support student achievement and provide mutual benefits and assistance through shared time and resources.

The Super Dentists are sponsoring the district’s WOW Families Festival on Saturday, Aug. 10 from 10 a.m. to 2: 30 p.m. at Sage Canyon School. The event will feature food trucks, carnival games, STEAM-themed activities and local vendors.

Original Article: https://www.delmartimes.net/news/story/2019-08-07/del-mar-schools-the-super-dentist-team-up-for-happy-healthy-smiles

Online users can now learn more about how to take care of their mouths – or care for other people’s mouths as dental assistants – through a brand-new website by Dr. Kami Hoss of The Super Dentists.

Individuals who would like to learn more about improving their own smiles – or helping other people to improve theirs – can now access several helpful online resources at a brand-new website by leading dentist, author, and businessman Dr. Kami Hoss.

The recently launched website can be found at http://www.drkamihoss.com/. At this long-awaited website, visitors can find information about all of Dr. Hoss’s dental-related companies, including The Super Dentists and Howard Healthcare Academy. They can also subscribe to get exclusive updates on the release of his book If Your Mouth Could Talk.

The Super Dentists is San Diego’s largest and most awarded and trusted pediatric dentistry practice. The dental practice has been serving children in the local area for more than 20 years and now also serves parents while their children are completing dental appointments. What makes this dental practice stand out is its passion for reinventing and transforming patients’ dental experiences through technology, innovation, and education.

In addition to establishing The Super Dentists, Dr. Hoss recently created Howard Healthcare Academy, a San Diego–area higher education institution that offers a hands-on dental assistant training program spanning 10 months. Through the program, students can gain the skills they need to claim in-demand dental assisting jobs and build fulfilling careers in this aspect of the health care field. The academy also offers continuing education and compliance classes. More information about this increasingly popular academy is available at Dr. Hoss’s newly launched site.

Dr. Hoss’s new website is additionally an excellent resource for news featuring dentist Kami Hoss, including stories and reports from FOX 5 and KGTV. In the blog section, visitors can find articles on such topics as the value of community, volunteering, and the best practices for healthy teeth in modern times.

Dr. Hoss attended UCLA for his undergraduate studies and dental school and USC for his orthodontic residency, and he now views San Diego as his home. During the past two decades in San Diego, Dr. Hoss continues to play an active role in promoting oral health to members of the community. As an example, he hosted an event called Spooktacular during the 2018 Halloween season to help children to celebrate the holiday in an unforgettably fun yet healthy way. The dentist also recently gave away Acceledontics treatment for free as part of a giveaway.

Dr. Hoss has additionally created a brand-new app designed to teach children about proper oral care. Through his new website, his businesses, and his new app, his goal is to continue to change the face of dental care by making it more attractive, engaging, and enjoyable for people of all ages both now and in the years to come.

Original Post can be found here: https://www.prunderground.com/dr-kami-hoss-launches-new-dental-company-website/00155158/

The Super Dentists were featured on NBC’s California Live, May NBC’s Jeff Krapf and his daughter, “Charlie” recently spent a day at our Carmel Valley office filming with The Super Dentists’ co-founder, Dr. Kami Hoss.

Original Article on: https://bitemagazine.com.au/first-ever-dental-augmented-reality-app-launched/

A US-based dental clinic has launched augmented reality, in order to make going to the dentist a fun experience for kids and families.

The Super Dentists is one of the first dental office in San Diego, Southern California and maybe even the US to use AR to teach its patients about taking care of their teeth.

In Australia, AR in this context is still being trialled.

Augmented reality is an interactive experience of a real-world environment where the objects that reside in the real-world are ‘augmented’ by computer-generated images, sometimes across multiple senses, including sight, sound and touch.

Many predict AR is poised to become a major factor in a lot more than games and social media filters in the near future.

“The average attention span is now down to eight seconds, which is just one reason The Super Dentists is educating kids about dental health in an exciting, engaging way by using AR,” Dr Kami Hoss of The Super Dentists said. “My 6-year-old son always learns better when he’s entertained. Kids retain information when learning is enjoyable and memorable and that’s what AR does.”

To engage with the AR app, a patient (child or parent) downloads The Super Dentists’ Vivarra Dental app from the App Store or Google Play, then scans large colourful floor targets with the app in the offices, or they can even try AR at home by scanning a sample target.

The practice’s popular characters—Dr Have on Super Smile, the Tooth Keri, Cavitar, Molar and MeloD—pop out of the target in 3D to answer some of the doctors’ (and offices’) most commonly asked questions in a memorable way.

“The app launched a few weeks ago, and has already been downloaded thousands of times, because it’s fun and interactive,” Dr Hoss said. “Kids can take their picture with the characters to become part of the experience, then share photos, and videos, with their parents and friends via text or on social media.”

Post from: finance.yahoo.com

SAN DIEGO, CA-Dr. Kami Hoss of The Super Dentists launches Augmented Reality (AR), the latest way the practice makes going to the dentist a fun experience for kids and families.

More than 40 million Americans are expected to use an AR product at least once per month over the next year, up 30% from the year before, according to the Information Systems Audit and Control Association. The Super Dentists is the first dental office in San Diego, Southern California and maybe even the United States to use AR to teach its patients about taking care of their teeth.

Augmented reality (AR) is an interactive experience of a real-world environment where the objects that reside in the real-world are “augmented” by computer-generated images, sometimes across multiple senses, including sight, sound and touch.

AR is poised to become a major factor in a lot more than games and social media filters in the near future, according to trends analyzed in PC Magazine. AR has become increasingly important to companies like Apple, where the company has long been working on AR glasses that are expected to arrive in 2020, according to an article by the Cult of Mac.

“The average attention span is now down to eight seconds, which is just one reason The Super Dentists is educating kids about dental health in an exciting, engaging way by using AR,” said Dr. Hoss. “My 6-year-old son always learns better when he’s entertained. Kids retain information when learning is enjoyable and memorable and that’s what AR does.”

To engage with the AR app, a patient (child or parent) downloads The Super Dentists’ Vivarra Dental app from the App Store or Google Play, then scans large colorful floor targets with the app in the offices, or they can even try AR at home by scanning a sample target.

The practice’s popular characters – Dr. Have on Super Smile, the Tooth Keri, Cavitar, Molar and MeloD – pop out of the target in 3D to answer some of the doctors’ (and offices’) most commonly asked questions in a memorable way.

“The app launched a few weeks ago, and has already been downloaded thousands of times, because it’s fun and interactive,” Dr. Hoss said. “Kids can take their picture with the characters to become part of the experience, then share photos, and videos, with their parents and friends via text or on social media.”

The 12 AR experiences, each one to two minutes in length, cover the following topics:

• The Super Dentists Story
• Super Kids Club
• Community Involvement
• Beautiful Smile
• How to Brush
• Sealants, Fluoride & Impressions
• All About Cavities
• The Top 10 Reasons to Visit
• Your First Visit
• Teen and Adult Dentistry
• The Story of Cavitar
• Acceledontics/Teeth Whitening

The Super Dentists will also launch its own line of toothbrushes this summer. Each toothbrush will come with a magical sticker that goes on the bathroom mirror at home and brings the Tooth Keri character to life to teach kids how to brush their teeth. There will be four different character-inspired brushes, as well as a collectors’ set.

Dr. Kami Hoss brings decades of experience working in the dental space and has treated more than 10,000 patients. He has served as faculty with the Howard Healthcare Academy and University of Southern California’s postgraduate orthodontic program. He is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists, American Dental Association, California Dental Association, and San Diego Dental Society. With this extensive background, he has served countless clients and developed a reputation for making dental care accessible and welcoming for families.

For more information, visit https://www.thesuperdentists.com/AR, or call (855) GO-SUPER (855-467-8737).

The Super Dentists is San Diego’s largest, most trusted and top awarded Pediatric Dentistry, Orthodontics and Teen and Adult Dentistry practice

– one in every five kids in San Diego is a Super Kid! They create the most unique and out-of-this-world dental experience for children and their parents. They’re the only office in the world where kids ask (many times, beg) their parents to take them to the dentist; imagine that! Highly trained and skilled, The Super Dentists take advantage of the latest in preventative and restorative treatments, and are Clear Aligners and AccelaDent accelerated orthodontics specialists. They accept most insurance, including Medi-Cal, and they offer extended weekday hours, some weekend hours and 24/7 service for emergencies. With locations throughout San Diego (Kearny Mesa, Carmel Valley, Chula Vista, East Lake and Oceanside, with Escondido coming soon), and growing, the practice gives back to its communities whenever possible, including an in-classroom dental education program – currently in 500 schools, reaching more than 30,000 kids – hosting free quarterly events, and providing complimentary dental care to those in need. For an appointment, book online at TheSuperDentists.com, call (760), (858) or (619) DENTIST (336-8478) or text: 1 (844) 765-1234. And for more information, please visit www.TheSuperDentists.com.

This Post was originally mentioned On: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/dr-kami-hoss-super-dentists-120000521.html

Post from: www.apnews.com

SAN DIEGO, CA-Dr. Kami Hoss of The Super Dentists launches Augmented Reality (AR), the latest way the practice makes going to the dentist a fun experience for kids and families.

More than 40 million Americans are expected to use an AR product at least once per month over the next year, up 30% from the year before, according to the Information Systems Audit and Control Association. The Super Dentists is the first dental office in San Diego, Southern California and maybe even the United States to use AR to teach its patients about taking care of their teeth.

Augmented reality (AR) is an interactive experience of a real-world environment where the objects that reside in the real-world are “augmented” by computer-generated images, sometimes across multiple senses, including sight, sound and touch.

AR is poised to become a major factor in a lot more than games and social media filters in the near future, according to trends analyzed in PC Magazine. AR has become increasingly important to companies like Apple, where the company has long been working on AR glasses that are expected to arrive in 2020, according to an article by the Cult of Mac.

“The average attention span is now down to eight seconds, which is just one reason The Super Dentists is educating kids about dental health in an exciting, engaging way by using AR,” said Dr. Hoss. “My 6-year-old son always learns better when he’s entertained. Kids retain information when learning is enjoyable and memorable and that’s what AR does.”

To engage with the AR app, a patient (child or parent) downloads The Super Dentists’ Vivarra Dental app from the App Store or Google Play, then scans large colorful floor targets with the app in the offices, or they can even try AR at home by scanning a sample target.

The practice’s popular characters – Dr. Have on Super Smile, the Tooth Keri, Cavitar, Molar and MeloD – pop out of the target in 3D to answer some of the doctors’ (and offices’) most commonly asked questions in a memorable way.

“The app launched a few weeks ago, and has already been downloaded thousands of times, because it’s fun and interactive,” Dr. Hoss said. “Kids can take their picture with the characters to become part of the experience, then share photos, and videos, with their parents and friends via text or on social media.”

The 12 AR experiences, each one to two minutes in length, cover the following topics:

• The Super Dentists Story
• Super Kids Club
• Community Involvement
• Beautiful Smile
• How to Brush
• Sealants, Fluoride & Impressions
• All About Cavities
• The Top 10 Reasons to Visit
• Your First Visit
• Teen and Adult Dentistry
• The Story of Cavitar
• Acceledontics/Teeth Whitening

The Super Dentists will also launch its own line of toothbrushes this summer. Each toothbrush will come with a magical sticker that goes on the bathroom mirror at home and brings the Tooth Keri character to life to teach kids how to brush their teeth. There will be four different character-inspired brushes, as well as a collectors’ set.

Dr. Kami Hoss brings decades of experience working in the dental space and has treated more than 10,000 patients. He has served as faculty with the Howard Healthcare Academy and University of Southern California’s postgraduate orthodontic program. He is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists, American Dental Association, California Dental Association, and San Diego Dental Society. With this extensive background, he has served countless clients and developed a reputation for making dental care accessible and welcoming for families.

For more information, visit https://www.thesuperdentists.com/AR, or call (855) GO-SUPER (855-467-8737).

The Super Dentists is San Diego’s largest, most trusted and top awarded Pediatric Dentistry, Orthodontics and Teen and Adult Dentistry practice

– one in every five kids in San Diego is a Super Kid! They create the most unique and out-of-this-world dental experience for children and their parents. They’re the only office in the world where kids ask (many times, beg) their parents to take them to the dentist; imagine that! Highly trained and skilled, The Super Dentists take advantage of the latest in preventative and restorative treatments, and are Clear Aligners and AccelaDent accelerated orthodontics specialists. They accept most insurance, including Medi-Cal, and they offer extended weekday hours, some weekend hours and 24/7 service for emergencies. With locations throughout San Diego (Kearny Mesa, Carmel Valley, Chula Vista, East Lake and Oceanside, with Escondido coming soon), and growing, the practice gives back to its communities whenever possible, including an in-classroom dental education program – currently in 500 schools, reaching more than 30,000 kids – hosting free quarterly events, and providing complimentary dental care to those in need. For an appointment, book online at TheSuperDentists.com, call (760), (858) or (619) DENTIST (336-8478) or text: 1 (844) 765-1234. And for more information, please visit www.TheSuperDentists.com.

This Post was originally mentioned On: https://www.apnews.com/Business%20Wire/0d24e138557c40798b6068422f52293f

Dr. Kami Hoss & super crew use AR experiences to make dental health interactive & fun for kids

San Diego, Calif. (April 4, 2019) – Dr. Kami Hoss of The Super Dentists launches Augmented Reality (AR), the latest way the practice makes going to the dentist a fun experience for kids and families. More than 40 million Americans are expected to use an AR product at least once per month over the next year, up 30% from the year before, according to the Information Systems Audit and Control Association. The Super Dentists is the first dental office in San Diego, Southern California and maybe even the United States to use AR to teach its patients about taking care of their teeth.

Augmented reality (AR) is an interactive experience of a real-world environment where the objects that reside in the real-world are “augmented” by computer-generated images, sometimes across multiple senses, including sight, sound and touch.

AR is poised to become a major factor in a lot more than games and social media filters in the near future, according to trends analyzed in PC Magazine. AR has become increasingly important to companies like Apple, where the company has long been working on AR glasses that are expected to arrive in 2020, according to an article by the Cult of Mac.

“The average attention span is now down to eight seconds, which is just one reason The Super Dentists is educating kids about dental health in an exciting, engaging way, by using AR to bring our super hero characters to life,” said Dr. Hoss.  “My 6-year-old son always learns better when he’s entertained. Kids retain information better when learning is enjoyable and memorable and that’s what AR does.”

To engage with the AR app, a patient (child or parent) downloads The Super Dentists’ Vivarra Dental app from the App Store or Google Play, then scans large colorful floor targets with the app in the offices, or can even try AR at home by scanning a sample target.

The practice’s popular characters – Dr. Have on Super Smile, the Tooth Keri, Cavitar, Molar and MeloD – come to life and answer some of the doctors’ (and offices’) most commonly-asked questions in a memorable way.

“The app just launched a few weeks ago, and it’s already been downloaded thousands of times, because it’s fun and interactive,” Dr. Hoss said. “Kids can have their picture taken with the characters to become part of the experience, then share the photos, and in some cases, even video, with their parents and friends via text or on social media.

The 12 AR experiences, each one to two minutes in length, cover the following topics:

• The Super Dentists Story
• Super Kids Club
• Community Involvement
• Beautiful Smile
• How to Brush
• Sealants, Fluoride & Impressions
• All About Cavities
• The Top 10 Reasons to Visit
• Your First Visit
• Teen and Adult Dentistry
• The Story of Cavitar
• Acceledontics/Teeth Whitening

The Super Dentists will also launch its own line of toothbrushes this summer. Each toothbrush will come with a magical sticker that goes on the bathroom mirror at home and brings the Tooth Keri character to life to teach kids how to brush their teeth. There will be four different character-inspired brushes, as well as a collectors’ set.

Dr. Kami Hoss brings decades of experience working in the dental space and has treated more than 10,000 patients. He has served as faculty with the Howard Healthcare Academy and University of Southern California’s postgraduate orthodontic program. He is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists, American Dental Association, California Dental Association, and San Diego Dental Society. With this extensive background, he has served countless clients and developed a reputation for making dental care accessible and welcoming for families.

For more information, visit https://www.thesuperdentists.com/AR, or call (855) GO-SUPER (855-467-8737).

The Super Dentists is San Diego’s largest, most trusted and top awarded Pediatric Dentistry, Orthodontics and Teen and Adult Dentistry practice – one in every five kids in San Diego is a Super Kid!  They create the most unique and out-of-this-world dental experience for children and their parents.  They’re the only office in the world where kids ask (many times, beg) their parents to take them to the dentist; imagine that! Highly trained and skilled, The Super Dentists take advantage of the latest in preventative and restorative treatments, and are Clear Aligners and AccelaDent accelerated orthodontics specialists. They accept most insurance, including Medi-Cal, and they offer extended weekday hours, some weekend hours and 24/7 service for emergencies. With locations throughout San Diego (Kearny Mesa, Carmel Valley, Chula Vista, East Lake and Oceanside, with Escondido coming soon), and growing, the practice gives back to its communities whenever possible, including an in-classroom dental education program – currently in 500 schools, reaching more than 30,000 kids – hosting free quarterly events, and providing complimentary dental care to those in need. For an appointment, book online at TheSuperDentists.com, call (760), (858) or (619) DENTIST (336-8478) or text: 1 (844) 765-1234. And for more information, please visit www.TheSuperDentists.com.

Post from: www.businesswire.com

SAN DIEGO, CA-Dr. Kami Hoss of The Super Dentists launches Augmented Reality (AR), the latest way the practice makes going to the dentist a fun experience for kids and families.

More than 40 million Americans are expected to use an AR product at least once per month over the next year, up 30% from the year before, according to the Information Systems Audit and Control Association. The Super Dentists is the first dental office in San Diego, Southern California and maybe even the United States to use AR to teach its patients about taking care of their teeth.

Augmented reality (AR) is an interactive experience of a real-world environment where the objects that reside in the real-world are “augmented” by computer-generated images, sometimes across multiple senses, including sight, sound and touch.

AR is poised to become a major factor in a lot more than games and social media filters in the near future, according to trends analyzed in PC Magazine. AR has become increasingly important to companies like Apple, where the company has long been working on AR glasses that are expected to arrive in 2020, according to an article by the Cult of Mac.

“The average attention span is now down to eight seconds, which is just one reason The Super Dentists is educating kids about dental health in an exciting, engaging way by using AR,” said Dr. Hoss. “My 6-year-old son always learns better when he’s entertained. Kids retain information when learning is enjoyable and memorable and that’s what AR does.”

To engage with the AR app, a patient (child or parent) downloads The Super Dentists’ Vivarra Dental app from the App Store or Google Play, then scans large colorful floor targets with the app in the offices, or they can even try AR at home by scanning a sample target.

The practice’s popular characters – Dr. Have on Super Smile, the Tooth Keri, Cavitar, Molar and MeloD – pop out of the target in 3D to answer some of the doctors’ (and offices’) most commonly asked questions in a memorable way.

“The app launched a few weeks ago, and has already been downloaded thousands of times, because it’s fun and interactive,” Dr. Hoss said. “Kids can take their picture with the characters to become part of the experience, then share photos, and videos, with their parents and friends via text or on social media.”

The 12 AR experiences, each one to two minutes in length, cover the following topics:

• The Super Dentists Story
• Super Kids Club
• Community Involvement
• Beautiful Smile
• How to Brush
• Sealants, Fluoride & Impressions
• All About Cavities
• The Top 10 Reasons to Visit
• Your First Visit
• Teen and Adult Dentistry
• The Story of Cavitar
• Acceledontics/Teeth Whitening

The Super Dentists will also launch its own line of toothbrushes this summer. Each toothbrush will come with a magical sticker that goes on the bathroom mirror at home and brings the Tooth Keri character to life to teach kids how to brush their teeth. There will be four different character-inspired brushes, as well as a collectors’ set.

Dr. Kami Hoss brings decades of experience working in the dental space and has treated more than 10,000 patients. He has served as faculty with the Howard Healthcare Academy and University of Southern California’s postgraduate orthodontic program. He is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists, American Dental Association, California Dental Association, and San Diego Dental Society. With this extensive background, he has served countless clients and developed a reputation for making dental care accessible and welcoming for families.

For more information, visit https://www.thesuperdentists.com/AR, or call (855) GO-SUPER (855-467-8737).

The Super Dentists is San Diego’s largest, most trusted and top awarded Pediatric Dentistry, Orthodontics and Teen and Adult Dentistry practice

– one in every five kids in San Diego is a Super Kid! They create the most unique and out-of-this-world dental experience for children and their parents. They’re the only office in the world where kids ask (many times, beg) their parents to take them to the dentist; imagine that! Highly trained and skilled, The Super Dentists take advantage of the latest in preventative and restorative treatments, and are Clear Aligners and AccelaDent accelerated orthodontics specialists. They accept most insurance, including Medi-Cal, and they offer extended weekday hours, some weekend hours and 24/7 service for emergencies. With locations throughout San Diego (Kearny Mesa, Carmel Valley, Chula Vista, East Lake and Oceanside, with Escondido coming soon), and growing, the practice gives back to its communities whenever possible, including an in-classroom dental education program – currently in 500 schools, reaching more than 30,000 kids – hosting free quarterly events, and providing complimentary dental care to those in need. For an appointment, book online at TheSuperDentists.com, call (760), (858) or (619) DENTIST (336-8478) or text: 1 (844) 765-1234. And for more information, please visit www.TheSuperDentists.com.

This Post was originally mentioned On: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190408005170/en/Dr.-Kami-Hoss-Super-Dentists-Launches-First-Ever.

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — Brightwood College Wednesday announced the abrupt closure of all nationwide locations due to accreditation and financial turmoil.

A letter sent to students dated Dec. 5 blames requirements implemented by the Department of Education as well as trouble with investors.

In the letter, students were told to contact their dean or program directors for specific closure dates. The notice also sites suspension of accreditation by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools.

“Everyone was in tears today. It’s heartbreaking,” said Ria, who was among dozens of students sharing their feelings in the parking lot outside the college in Kearny Mesa.

Students say it was about 8:30 a.m. when their instructors informed them Brightwood College locations were shutting down.

“Apparently they filed for bankruptcy,” said student Kiesha. “And there’s nothing we can do even though we haven’t started the term yet.”

Dismay turned to anger as many students worry their tuition is now lost.

“I can show it to you if you want,” said Brandon digging into this backpack for a tuition receipt. He says his payment was accepted by Brightwood Wednesday morning, likely just minutes before the closure announcement. “This is my payment that was posted. You see it’s Dec. 5 here. And the amount that was sent in is $8,397.”

Students were promised credit for all courses completed and passed by the closure date.

Stu Reed, CEO of Brightwood’s parent company Education Corporation of America, issued a statement to students expressing regret and blaming the closure on added requirements by the Department of Education, making the operation of the schools more challenging and discouraging investors.

Along with uncertainty for students, the closure was also a blow to staff and proprietors like Marc Taylor, who ran a deli at the Kearny Mesa college location.

“We heard some stuff. Some rumors and stuff,” said Taylor. “But we were told that everything was going to be okay. And then, obviously, everything’s not okay.”

An instructor at Brightwood who wanted to remain anonymous said students with government loans for their tuition would be able to apply for loan forgiveness given the school’s closure. But he admitted it would probably be a tougher situation for those with private loans.

He also said Brightwood was already working with other vocational colleges to try and help their students transfer and continue their education.

Howard Healthcare Academy is also offering assistance. Students can call 619-ACADEMY to learn more.

Brightwood has locations in San Diego, Chula Vista, and Vista. The for-profit college offered job-specific training in a number of fields.

https://www.10news.com/news/local-news/brightwood-college-announces-sudden-closure-amid-accreditation-financial-turmoil

SAN DIEGO (NEWS 8) — If you’re like us, you probably bought too much candy for Halloween. Better to be over-prepared than under-prepared for all the adorable witches and super heroes who likely rang your doorbell Wednesday.

Or maybe your own little costumed creatures brought home a surplus of sweets.

Have extra Halloween candy this year? The Super Dentists’ Candy Buy-Back Program gives you cash for your candy while donating to charity!

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — The Halloween season is upon us with a ton of fun, free family events around town to get into the ghoulish spirit.

Halloween events from free trick-or-treating events and festivals like Trick-or-Treat on India Street, Halloween Spooktacular, and Halloween at the Station.

Dia de los Muertos celebrations also get in gear, with events in North Park, Oceanside, and Encinitas .

Not interested in anything here? Check out the 10News community events calendar for a look at even more things to do!

Fleet Week continues this weekend, bringing a host of educational and hands-on military opportunities to San Diegans. San Diego’s Mac N’ Cheese Fest also returns this weekend, bringing some delicious mac n’ cheese and craft beer pairings to Waterfront Park.

Here’s what’s happening this weekend:

THURSDAY

Halloween at Whaley House

Where: The Whaley House, Old Town; Cost: $13 – $15

(Thursday – Sunday) You’ve heard the rumors, now take a step inside to discover the history behind The Whaley House. Special October tours can be booked this month, leading groups through the storied history of the Whaley House in San Diego and, of course, its permanent guests…

Fleet Week

Where: Broadway Pier and Port Pavilion; Cost: Varies

(Runs Thursday – Sunday) Fleet Week packs military displays and vehicles, ship tours, and hands-on experiences with military technology for the public. Many of the events will be held at the Broadway Pier and Port Pavilion.

FRIDAY

Trick-or-Treat on India Street

Where: India Street, Little Italy; Cost: Free

Little Italy’s annual trick-or-treating party is back! Take your little ghouls out for some fun on India St. where businesses will be handing out candy and treats in Little Italy’s newly opened plaza.

Lions Tigers & Bears’ Spooky Campover

Where: Lions Tigers & Bears, Alpine; Cost: $35 – $80

Get ready for a night under the stars and surrounded by the rescued animals at Lions Tigers & Bears in Alpine. Friday night includes pumpkin carving, s’mores, and campfire fun! Saturday morning, guests can take part in a costume contest and watch a special feeding session with the big cats and bears.

SATURDAY

Halloween Spooktacular

Where: The Super Dentists, Eastlake; Cost: Free

Super Dentists of Eastlake’s annual fall party brings together carnival games, costume contests, trick-or-treating, a haunted house, and more free for the public! Guests can grab goody bags and also trade in candy for cash!

Day of the Dead Festival North Park

Where: North Park; Cost: Free

North Park’s Dia de los Muertos celebration will bring together a community altar, craft workshops, live music, food, and more.

San Diego Mac N’ Cheese Fest

Where: Waterfront Park; Cost: $40 – $70

Get a taste of some cheesiness from some of the best restaurants around at San Diego’s Mac N’ Cheese Fest, even getting the opportunity to pair them with some of the region’s craft beers, wines, and other beverages! General admission includes unlimited mac n’ cheese samples so come hungry!

SUNDAY

Dia de los Muertos, Oceanside

Where: Mission San Luis Rey; Cost: Free

Mission San Luis Rey celebrates Dia de los Muertos with altar displays, chalk cemetery, carnival rides, a classic car show, traditional foods, and a special show from Mission Elementary’s mariachi program!

HalGLOWeen at the San Diego Zoo

Where: San Diego Zoo; Cost: $44 – $60

(Runs Friday – Sunday) As the sun sets on the San Diego Zoo this weekend, a lineup of fun family events kicks off. Come dressed up to celebrate Halloween with live music and shows, featured creatures animal experiences, and spooky activities for kids.

Halloween at the Station

Where: Liberty Station; Cost: Free

The Liberty Station arts community celebrates Halloween with a roundup of fun, free events for the family, including live entertainment, trick-or-treating throughout the district, activities for kids, and more. Come dressed in your Halloween best!

https://www.10news.com/lifestyle/exploring-san-diego/exploring-san-diego-things-to-do-oct-25-28

Dr. Kami Hoss and team are changing what people hate about going to the dentist

San Diego, Calif. (October 15, 2018) – The Super Dentists have launched Teen and Adult Dentistry the first of its kind concept to meet growing demand. For the past year, Dr. Kami Hoss and The Super Dentists team have prepared to launch the new idea to reinvent and transform the dental experience for parents.

“The Super Dentists turned 21 this year and now that we have grown up, it’s time we treat grownups too,” said Dr. Hoss. “For two decades our pediatric patients and their parents alike have pleaded with us to treat parents as well. Their persistence has finally paid off.”

Currently available in The Super Dentists’ Carmel Valley, Eastlake and Kearny Mesa offices; there are three ways to enroll in Teen and Adult Dentistry:

1. By invitation: Get your kids to invite you, or
2. By continuation: Grow up in our practice or come back if you used to be a patient, or
3. By affiliation: Be an “adult” orthodontic patient of The Super Dentists

“We’ve created an extraordinary experience that’s anything, but your ordinary adult dentistry,” explains Dr. Hoss. “We’ve constructed VIP (Very Important Parent) Lounges and employ advanced technology and adult amenities to provide top quality dental care along with an out-of- this-world experience for grownups.”

Just like they have for children, The Super Dentists is transforming the experience of going to the dentist for adults with spa-like amenities, including personalized beverage selection, relaxing aromatherapy, warm towels, massage chairs, even virtual reality for those patients who really want to be distracted. Parents also receive a GPS watch for children and phone for parents, so they can be in communication with their children during their appointment.

Teen and Adult Dentistry Services include Dental Hygiene, Cosmetic Dentistry, Teeth Whitening, Adult Braces/Orthodontics, Acceledontics, Sedation Dentistry, Veneers and TMJ Treatment. “Our one-stop shop allows the whole family to receive all dental specialties – pediatrics, orthodontics, and now, parents – under one roof,” added Dr. Hoss.

Dr. Kami Hoss brings decades of experience working in the dental space and has treated more than 10,000 patients. He has served as faculty with the Howard Healthcare Academy and University of Southern California’s postgraduate orthodontic program. He is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists, American Dental Association, California Dental Association, and San Diego Dental Society. With this extensive background, he has served countless clients and developed a reputation for making dental care accessible and welcoming for families.

For more information, call (855) Go-Super (855-467-8737).

The Super Dentists are San Diego’s largest and most trusted Pediatric Dentistry, Teen and Adult Dentistry & Orthodontic office – one in every five kids is a Super Kid!  They create the most unique and out-of-this-world dental experience for children and their parents.  They’re the only office in the world where kids ask (many times, beg) their parents to take them to the dentist; imagine that! Highly trained and skilled, The Super Dentists take advantage of the latest in preventative and restorative treatments, and are Clear Aligners and AccelaDent accelerated orthodontics specialists. They accept most insurance, including Medi-Cal, and are available on the weekend and in case of emergency. With locations throughout San Diego (Kearny Mesa, Carmel Valley, Chula Vista, East Lake and Oceanside, with Escondido coming soon), and growing, the practice gives back to its communities whenever possible, including an in-classroom dental education program – currently in 800 schools, reaching more than 30,000 kids – hosting free quarterly events, and complimentary dental care to those in need. For an appointment, please call (760), (858) or (619) DENTIST (336-8478) or text: 1 (844) 765-1234. And for more information, please visit www.TheSuperDentists.com.

Dr. Kami Hoss and team are changing what people hate about going to the dentist

San Diego, Calif. (October 15, 2018) – The Super Dentists have launched Parent Dentistry the first of its kind concept to meet growing demand. For the past year, Dr. Kami Hoss and The Super Dentists team have prepared to launch the new idea to reinvent and transform the dental experience for parents.

“The Super Dentists turned 21 this year and now that we have grown up, it’s time we treat grownups too,” said Dr. Hoss. “For two decades our pediatric patients and their parents alike have pleaded with us to treat parents as well. Their persistence has finally paid off.”

Currently available in The Super Dentists’ Carmel Valley, Eastlake and Kearny Mesa offices; there are three ways to enroll in Parent Dentistry:

1. By invitation: Get your kids to invite you, or
2. By continuation: Grow up in our practice or come back if you used to be a patient, or
3. By affiliation: Be an “adult” orthodontic patient of The Super Dentists

“We’ve created an extraordinary experience that’s anything, but your ordinary adult dentistry,” explains Dr. Hoss. “We’ve constructed VIP (Very Important Parent) Lounges and employ advanced technology and adult amenities to provide top quality dental care along with an out-of- this-world experience for grownups.”

Just like they have for children, The Super Dentists is transforming the experience of going to the dentist for adults with spa-like amenities, including personalized beverage selection, relaxing aromatherapy, warm towels, massage chairs, even virtual reality for those patients who really want to be distracted. Parents also receive a GPS watch for children and phone for parents, so they can be in communication with their children during their appointment.

Parent Dentistry Services include Dental Hygiene, Cosmetic Dentistry, Teeth Whitening, Adult Braces/Orthodontics, Acceledontics, Sedation Dentistry, Veneers and TMJ Treatment. “Our one-stop shop allows the whole family to receive all dental specialties – pediatrics, orthodontics, and now, parents – under one roof,” added Dr. Hoss.

Dr. Kami Hoss brings decades of experience working in the dental space and has treated more than 10,000 patients. He has served as faculty with the Howard Healthcare Academy and University of Southern California’s postgraduate orthodontic program. He is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists, American Dental Association, California Dental Association, and San Diego Dental Society. With this extensive background, he has served countless clients and developed a reputation for making dental care accessible and welcoming for families.

For more information, call (855) Go-Super (855-467-8737).

The Super Dentists are San Diego’s largest and most trusted Pediatric Dentistry, Parent Dentistry & Orthodontic office – one in every five kids is a Super Kid!  They create the most unique and out-of-this-world dental experience for children and their parents.  They’re the only office in the world where kids ask (many times, beg) their parents to take them to the dentist; imagine that! Highly trained and skilled, The Super Dentists take advantage of the latest in preventative and restorative treatments, and are Clear Aligners and AccelaDent accelerated orthodontics specialists. They accept most insurance, including Medi-Cal, and are available on the weekend and in case of emergency. With locations throughout San Diego (Kearny Mesa, Carmel Valley, Chula Vista, East Lake and Oceanside, with Escondido coming soon), and growing, the practice gives back to its communities whenever possible, including an in-classroom dental education program – currently in 800 schools, reaching more than 30,000 kids – hosting free quarterly events, and complimentary dental care to those in need. For an appointment, please call (760), (858) or (619) DENTIST (336-8478) or text: 1 (844) 765-1234. And for more information, please visit www.TheSuperDentists.com.

Have extra Halloween candy this year? The Super Dentists’ Candy Buy-Back Program gives you cash for your candy while donating to charity!

Have extra Halloween candy this year? The Super Dentists’ Candy Buy-Back Program gives you cash for your candy while donating to charity!

Children who reported having recent tooth pain were four times more likely to have a low grade point average—below the median GPA of 2.8—when compared to children without oral pain, a recent study said.

Lauren Phinney sat down with Dr. Kami Hoss from The Super Dentists to talk about children’s dental health and how you can learn more at Super Dentist’s Mommy and Me Series.

https://www.kusi.com/the-super-dentists-talk-child-dental-health-and-how-it-can-impact-other-areas-of-life/

Celebrate National Tooth Fairy Day with The Super Dentists! Learn more about the average rate for the tooth fairy and different creative ways to celebrate on Fox 5 San Diego.

Learn more about the connection between oral health and fertility. Dr. Kami Hoss of The Super Dentists explains more about the importance of great dental health for fertility, pregnancy, and your baby!

Learn more about the connection between oral health and fertility. Dr. Kami Hoss of The Super Dentists explains more about the importance of great dental health for fertility, pregnancy, and your baby!

Click on our Channel 10 ABC Newscast below and learn how Acceledontics can change your smile from mediocre to mind-blowing.  Acceledontics is designed to give you a healthy, straighter smile in as little as 4 months, and a beautiful, whiter smile in as little as 4 minutes.  Cut your treatment time in half with the latest technology, available only at The Super Dentists.