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Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.
As it turns out, this isn’t just sage advice that Ben Franklin was doling out; researchers have learned that sleep is critical to performance. Although Franklin’s common-sense theory never addressed the issue of defining how much sleep is optimal sleep, a study of 1,000 children and preadolescents that measured school performance concluded that poor sleepers — defined as those with difficulty falling asleep and who wake up at least once during the night — were significantly more likely to have school achievement difficulties. The report found that one of the best predictors of school failure was the child’s sleep pattern and fatigue level.
From access to health care to regular exercise, a child’s good health is dependent on so many factors. In this section, experts in the areas of dentistry, podiatry, orthodontics, exercise, and pain management weigh in on issues regarding children’s health. From knowing how to best prevent injury in a student athlete to the serious matter of concussions, it’s important to hear what is best from the best. After all, a lifetime of good health begins in childhood. Perhaps the following advice will give you something to sleep on.
Cosmetic Dentistry Institute
What is Invisalign, and why is it sometimes a better option than traditional braces?
Traditional metal braces aren’t always the best option for older teens, who may be sensitive about their appearance. They want straighter-looking teeth, but not at the “social” expense of wearing traditional braces in high school.
The Invisalign system uses a series of clear, paper-thin plastic aligners to shift teeth into place. Patients change the computer-calculated aligners about every two weeks. The beauty of Invisalign is that students can remove their appliances to eat, brush, and drink, which makes it easier to keep their teeth cleaner than if they have regular braces. While the invisible aligners usually go unnoticed by friends and family, they can be removed for special occasions like an important stage performance or a goodnight kiss after a date.
The cost is comparable to traditional braces, but Invisalign may be a better option for those students who may have needed braces in middle school yet, for whatever reason, did not get them. Once students reach high school age, they are far happier with the invisibility of Invisalign. Studies have shown that parents should not ignore displeasing elements that adolescents bring to their attention, including things like dark, blotchy, or crooked teeth. The psychological and aesthetic component is often as important as the health of the teeth and the beauty of the smile. Invisalign invisible braces have proven to be an excellent choice for teens with busy after-school schedules who desire hassle-free orthodontics. Invisalign is also a preferred choice for adults who need braces, and treatment usually takes a year or less.
Dr. Craig Goldin is an experienced Invisalign provider who has actually dealt with specific cases at the request of Align Technology Inc., the manufacturer of Invisalign.
At the Cosmetic Dentistry Institute, we provide every phase of general dentistry with the same passion, gentle care, and dedication to excellence that we bring to our more complex procedures.
Elite Podiatry
What can be done for shin splints?
Runners, especially young cross-country runners, can suffer from the painful condition known as shin splints. This is caused by inflammation or overuse of the tendons and muscles in the lower leg. Stretching can be useful in the prevention of shin splints, and a combination of icing and anti-inflammatory medication can help, but there may be underlying causes that lead to the problem. At Elite Podiatry, we can perform a biomechanical examination to look at how the leg, foot, and ankle move in all planes of motion. Doing this can often determine what is causing the shin splints and assist in establishing an effective prevention method, such as custom orthotics, if indicated. While shin splints are not a chronic condition, they can lead to more complicated problems such as ligament, tendon, and muscle injuries. Young adult and teenage athletes can be more susceptible to major injuries that leave them sidelined. MLS Laser Therapy is an effective treatment for tendon and ligament injuries, muscle tears, strains, and inflammation, and can be used to great effect in these cases.
Birmingham Center for Cosmetic Dentistry
How can dental professionals help athletes prevent dental injuries and concussions?
A professionally-made mouth guard offers many advantages; one of these is helping to prevent dental injuries and concussions. Athletes often don’t want to wear mouth guards because they inhibit breathing and speech. A professionally-made mouth guard, although it costs more than the boil-and-bite ones you pick up at the sporting goods store, can protect athletes from the dangers of an impact to the face, head, or neck. While mouth guards are required in certain sports like boxing, football, and hockey, they are equally as important to children who play basketball, volleyball, lacrosse, and even tennis. Any sport where there is the potential for contact — either with another person, a stick, or a ball — can potentially damage the teeth or cause other serious injuries, such as a concussion. A customized, comfortable mouth guard helps prevent concussion by absorbing and distributing much of the force of impact away from the head. Mouth guards can be made in various colors, including team colors, and the materials used taste much better than basic, store-bought versions — which often aids in compliance. Athletes who wear braces should wear custom mouth guards, especially since impact to the mouth could lead to cuts or misalignment. At the Birmingham Center for Cosmetic Dentistry, we have our own lab and can make custom mouth guards, which are ready within days. We are also an authorized provider of Under Armour Performance Mouthwear. If your child is serious about sports, a custom mouth guard is one of the best ways to protect against costly dental damage or, worse, traumatic injury such as a concussion.
Nick S. Palmer D.D.S., M.S., P.C.
My child’s baby teeth looked perfect, but his permanent teeth are everywhere — what went wrong?
Baby teeth have two functions: eating, and space maintenance for permanent teeth. Baby teeth are meant to have spaces in between them. When you look at a child’s smile, it’s not a miniature version of an adult. There should be spaces and gaps, to allow for the differences in size. If a child’s baby teeth are close together, there will be little room for the permanent teeth. While children are growing, the growth in the upper and lower jaw takes place in the back — not where the teeth are already present. When this happens, there needs to be room for the larger adult teeth to erupt. When the permanent teeth start to erupt and there are signs of crowding, or if your child is having breathing, chewing, or speech difficulty, then a visit to the orthodontist is recommended. Remember, orthodontists have trained three years beyond a general dentist to master the skills necessary to optimize your child’s healthy bite and smile.
Pilates Fitness & Physical Therapy Center
How can Pilates-based physical therapy help my student athlete?
Whether a young person is participating in high-level competition or recreational play, injuries in sports happen. With more intensive sports programs and year-round competition becoming the norm, student athletes are more vulnerable to injuries. That’s why it’s important to carefully select a rehabilitation program for growing bodies. Treatment for children is different from adults, as the musculoskeletal system is still growing. Pilates Fitness and Physical Therapy treats young athletes using a multifaceted approach, including: A comprehensive injury evaluation; a custom rehabilitation program using Pilates-based methodology; addressing muscle imbalances; and working on strength, mobility, flexibility, balance and proprioception, as needed, for the athlete’s chosen sport.
The student will be ready to safely return to his or her sport stronger, more body-aware, and with information to prevent future injuries.
Oakland MRI
My child may have a concussion. What do I do?
For student athletes, 2010 marked the year when a new concussion protocol was adopted by the Michigan High School Athletic Association. This states that any athlete “who exhibits signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion (such as loss of consciousness, headache, dizziness, confusion, or balance problems) shall be immediately removed from the contest and shall not return to play until cleared by an appropriate health care professional.”
Concussion treatment usually involves rest and relaxation, and recovery is gradual. Depending on the symptoms, and how many other injuries there have been prior to this, your child’s doctor may order an MRI to determine if there is internal damage. The MRI is the foundation on which your doctor bases a diagnosis. It’s a detailed picture of your body — or, in this case, your child’s brain — that is used to determine if there’s neural damage. MRI is becoming more important in the evaluation of a concussion, and it may be ordered to gain a baseline status if a child’s initial injury was severe, as comparisons can be made with subsequent tests to determine any subtle changes in the brain. Oakland MRI’s premier technology ensures that your physician gets the most accurate picture possible, and our protocol includes all the sequences necessary to diagnosis not just the acute traumatic changes but also white matter injury, which is responsible for the late effects of concussions. Interpretations of scans are prompt and precise, and performed by board-certified radiologists.
Oakland MRI offers convenient scheduling including same-day, next-day, and Saturday appointments. Because injuries don’t happen on a schedule and often occur on weekends, Oakland MRI has late hours up to 11 p.m., including all day Saturdays, to accommodate any schedule.
Just Breathe of Grosse Pointe
Dr. Maridel A. Hernandez
Pilates, Yoga, Zumba
Address: 131 Kercheval, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236
Phone: 313-640-9500
Website: www.justbreathegp.com
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