As we all know, or should by now, the key to maintaining great oral health is keeping up with a daily plan of flossing, brushing, and using mouthwash. These three practices in combination will help you avoid tooth decay and keep bacterial infections at bay.

At Convivial Dental, we’ve noticed that it’s usually not the toothbrush or floss that people have trouble picking, but the mouthwash.

Depending on the ingredients, different mouthwashes will have different effects on your oral health. Here are some ideas to take under consideration when you’re trying to decide which type of mouthwash will best fit your needs.

• If gum health is your concern, antiseptic mouthwashes are designed to reduce bacteria near the gum line.
• If you drink a lot of bottled water, you may want to consider a fluoride rinse to make sure your teeth develop the level of strength they need.
• Generally, any mouthwash will combat bad breath, but some are especially designed to do so.
• Opt for products that are ADA approved, to ensure you aren’t exposing your teeth to harmful chemicals.
• If you experience an uncomfortable, burning sensation when you use a wash, stop it and try another!

Still have questions about mouthwash? Feel free to ask Drs. Cartsos and Zavras during your next visit to our Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts office! We’re always happy to answer your questions. Happy rinsing!

Great question! Baby bottle tooth decay is the development of cavities caused by the frequent and long-term exposure of a child's teeth to liquids containing sugars. These liquids include milk, formula, fruit juice, sodas and other sweetened drinks. The bacteria in the mouth thrive on this sugar and produce acids that attack the infant's teeth and gums. After numerous attacks, tooth decay can begin.

The first rule is to make sure your child does not fall asleep with a bottle containing milk, formula, juice or other sweetened liquids. Giving an infant a sugary drink before bedtime is harmful because the flow of saliva decreases during sleep, allowing the sugary liquids to linger on the child's teeth for an extended period of time. If left untreated, pain and infection can result.

So, how can you prevent baby bottle tooth decay? Be sure to clean and massage the baby's gums once a day to help establish healthy teeth and to aid in teething. When brushing your child's teeth, use a soft toothbrush, as well non-fluoride toothpaste. Once your little one is able to spit, around the age of two, you should begin using fluoride toothpaste. From the beginning, have your little one practice spitting the toothpaste out after brushing. That way, he or she will already have the good habit of spitting when you switch to fluoride toothpaste, which should never be swallowed.

Also, be aware that children should visit Convivial Dental when they are between six and 12 months old. Please give us a call if your child hasn't visited our Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts office in the last six months!

Dental health is not only about pretty pearly whites. While the focus in our practice is on tooth, jaw, and mouth, at Convivial Dental we also know that dental care is important for total body wellness.

Your child's facial - jaw growth, speech development, and chewing function along with their self -confidence all start with a healthy set of teeth. Like a fountain, the health of your teeth can trickle down to affect the rest of your body functions like digestion, breathing, and even their little hearts.

Regular dental checkups are essential to a healthy lifestyle because at Convivial Dental we know how to spot problems early on and treat them quickly to prevent more serious complications later in life. Read on for some ways that dental care can affect the rest of your child’s body and maintain their overall health.

First Impressions and Self-confidence

Which came first: the beautiful smile or the confidence that created that great grin? Unlike the chicken and the egg, we think we know the answer to this one for sure. A fabulous looking smile and a harmonious facial/jaw appearance can make your child more confident. On the flip side, crooked and unhealthy teeth could make your child reluctant to smile, affecting self-confidence and perception from their peers who might wrongly think them unfriendly. There are studies that show a good smile can make you seem more approachable and friendly to others - making it easier to make friends in social settings. We want our kids to be happy and smiling is a good measure of happiness. Oh, and proper dental care definitely reduces bad breath, which as we all know is a huge turnoff. Yuck!

Reduce the Risk of Infections

Proper mouth care and reducing plaque on your teeth can mean fewer bodily infections. Our mouths can harbor some really seedy stuff like bacteria, yeasts and viruses that hang around our teeth. Without proper dental care like regular brushing and flossing, your gums can become inflamed and bleed, offering those little nasties an open route to enter your body to cause a host of other problems like heart disease, cardiovascular disease, and even pneumonia or other respiratory illnesses. Taking care of your gums may feel like a grown-up thing, but, trust us, your kiddo’s gums need the same care. Plus you’re instilling healthy habits that will last a lifetime. 

Chewing and Digestion

“Chew your food!” Sound familiar? Don’t worry, you’re not being an overprotective parent. Eating a healthy diet is a great first step to ensuring your child’s health and what goes into their little mouths needs to be properly broken down before it’s swallowed in order to take advantage of all that good stuff. Good chewing habits contribute to good digestion and help the body absorb the nutrients in your food better. A good bite (occlusion in dental-speak) means your child can chew better and get a better experience out of eating. Proper chewing also prevents bloating and other gastrointestinal problems like (no giggling) excessive flatulence.

Memory Function and Alzheimer’s 

Believe it or not, gingivitis has been linked to a person’s level of cognitive function. Yes, studies have shown that gingivitis AKA gum disease - inflammation, bleeding, and tenderness of your gums -  can affect how adults perform on memory and cognitive skill tests. A recent study demonstrated a link between the bacteria that causes gum disease with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Just another reason why starting healthy habits, like flossing, early will help your child throughout life. 

Tongue Tie Solutions

Ankyloglossia or tongue-tie is when your tongue movement is restricted by a little band of tissue at the tip of the tongue attached to the base of the mouth. This can affect breastfeeding for infants, speech as well as jaw growth and facial appearance later in life. If left untreated, older children and adults can find it difficult to clear bits of food from teeth, contributing to tooth decay and gum disease. Dr. Zavras is experienced with resolving tongue tie issues through a laser procedure (frenectomy) done in-office. It’s a simple procedure and can make a huge difference with your child’s health and self-confidence. And if you’re a stressed new mama reading this, please come see us - we can help! 

At Convivial Dental, we strongly believe in total body health and it starts with healthy habits contributing to a healthy and happy smile. We are a caring and friendly office with a great reputation (just read our reviews!) in the Chestnut Hill area. If you care about your child’s overall health like we do, we hope you’ll bring your little on in for a visit. Whether they’ve just sprouted their first tooth or they have some wiggly ones, we look forward to meeting your child. 

Click here to schedule an appointment today! 

Telehealth doctor visits are becoming increasingly common and convenient. At Convivial Dental we are happy to provide complementary Virtual Consultations to Chestnut Hill and our surrounding communities. If you are interested in Invisalign or braces, here’s what you need to know about getting your orthodontic treatment started from the comfort of your home.

What are Virtual Consultations?

Virtual consultations offer a convenient and easy way to learn about your orthodontic treatment options from the comfort of your home and are available to patients of all ages. You can get started right away without having to place a call, schedule an appointment, or make a trip to the doctor’s office. This has become even more important during the COVID-19 pandemic where reducing unnecessary trips can help keep you and your community safe. During your virtual consultation, you will receive an assessment of your smile and treatment options. 

How can I get started with my virtual consultation? 

Simply visit our Appointment Request page (https://www.convivialdental.com/appointment-request) to begin. Answer a few questions and any details you would like us to know. Submit the form and we will be in touch right away! It’s quick and easy to do—the whole process will only take you a few minutes. 

What happens after I submit the form on the Appointment Request Page? 

A member of our amazing team will reach out to you and find the perfect day and time for your virtual visit and answer any questions you may have. 

I’ve received my smile assessment from Dr. Cartsos and want to get started on treatment—what’s next? 

At the end of your Virtual Consultation, Dr. Cartsos will put you in contact with our treatment coordinator. Our treatment coordinator can answer any follow up questions and schedule you for a digital scan using our state-of-the-art iTero 5-D scanner. 

I loved my virtual consultation. Do you also offer virtual appointments throughout treatment? 

Absolutely, in many cases after your initial visit we can monitor your progress and give recommendations remotely. We provide our patients with a Virtual Care kit to ensure they have everything they need at home to keep their treatment on track and make our virtual appointments even easier. We can always schedule an office visit for anything that needs to be addressed in person. At Convivial Dental we offer virtual appointments mid-treatment to monitor treatment progress with a HIPPA safe virtual platform called DOXY ME.

What COVID-19 safety precautions does your office take for in-person office visits? 

The safety and well-being of our patients, staff and community is a top priority for us. We protect our team and our patients with the latest recommended personal protective equipment (PPE). We have all of the latest sterilization protocols in place to ensure that our facilities and clinics are ready for your arrival. All patients and staff members are screened prior to visiting the office and are required to wear approved face masks. 

Are you ready to get started on your new smile? Click below to begin your virtual consultation now! 

Care You Can Trust:

Dr. Cartsos is a leading orthodontist and TOP GOLD PLUS TIER INVISALIGN PROVIDER in Chestnut Hill and surrounding Boston Area. Dr. Cartsos and her team utilize state-of-the-art treatments and technologies to provide the most effective, safe, and comfortable experience for their patients. 

With over 20 years of clinical and academic experience, Dr. Cartsos has the ability to customize orthodontic treatment and cater to each person’s needs and life-styles with various modes of treatments. We love working with children of every age and enjoy working with adults as well.

In addition to a full time private practice, Dr. Cartsos serves as Associate Professor of Orthodontics at Tufts University on a part-time basis.

Dr. Cartsos is a co-founding member of the Tufts Medical Center Cleft Lip & Palate- Craniofacial team adding orthodontic services to this multidisciplinary team to address complex cases and can contribute to life changing improvements. For the last 10 years, her passion and mission has been to contribute my orthodontic services to this multidisciplinary team to address complex cases. She often works in conjunction with Pediatric ENT specialists, Plastic Surgeons, Oral Surgeons, Pediatric Dentists, Geneticists, Speech pathologists, Audiologists and Nutrition specialists to provide total rehabilitation of the face, teeth and jaws.

EDUCATION

Certificate in Orthodontics – Tufts University School of Dental Medicine

Master’s Degree in Orthodontics (Decision Analysis) – Tufts University

Doctorate of Dental Medicine – Tufts University School of Dental Medicine

MEMBERSHIPS/ASSOCIATIONS

American Association of Orthodontists

American Dental Association

Massachusetts Dental Society

Massachusetts Association of Orthodontists (Board member)

Northeastern Society of Orthodontists

American Cleft Palate - Craniofacial Association

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Orthodontist, Private Practice (since 1996)

Associate Professor of Orthodontics, Tufts University (since 2005)

Director of Graduate Orthodontics, Tufts University

Course Director, Orthognathic Surgery, Tufts University

Craniofacial & Cleft Palate Team, Tufts Medical Center

Former President of Tufts Orthodontic Association

Premier Preferred Invisalign® Provider

Certified Incognito™ Provider

PERSONAL

She is married to Dr. Ethan Zavras’ our pediatric dentist and they share two teenage sons that keep them very busy. They have an eight-year-old Dachshund, Daphne. Her personal interests include travel, tennis, and skiing.