Pediatric airway dentistry is an approach to children’s dental care that evaluates breathing, tongue posture, and jaw and palate development alongside teeth. An airway-focused pediatric
Hearing your child snore for the first time is unsettling, but it’s also extremely common — an estimated 1 in 10 children snores at night,
You’ve probably noticed it before you had a name for it — your child’s mouth hangs open while watching TV, or you hear it during
As a parent and a practitioner, my goal is to educate and guide parents into making the decisions that are aligned with their parenting goals. I think it is important that families understand the different perspectives on tongue ties and where they originate from. I desire to optimize the health and functionality of my patients and I believe that optimal tongue function is paramount for our children.
This is an instructional video of post frenectomy exercises to ensure optimal healing. These should be started 48 hours after the procedures to ensure stitches
Chiropractic therapy and bodywork is a crucial part of care when it comes to tethered oral tissues (ties) and midline defects. The tension caused from the tethered tissues can create long-lasting structural changes to the musculoskeletal system; especially in the neck, cranium and face.
Is there something I can use to wean my child from the pacifier?
What do I do about the shape of my child’s jaw and teeth from the pacifier use?
Do I have to wait until my child is older to correct their teeth from pacifier use?
This is an instructional video for post frenectomy exercises. These need to be done on toddlers that do not get stitches post procedures as well as on children that get stitches (starting 48 hours after the procedure).
The way the mouth, teeth and jaw develops play a major role in how our children eat, sleep and breathe. It is important that from
Why is this important you ask? The tongues ability to “park” in roof of the mouth is ideal for nasal and oral function. It allows us to breathe easily through our nose while keeping our mouth closed. It also helps eliminate the potential for mouth breathing, snoring, grinding and apnea during sleep.
Many parents wonder how their 2 year old is going to sit in a dental chair for a checkup. For most parents, they imagine a
Babies can have disorganized or weak sucking patterns that can benefit from exercises. The following exercises are simple and can be done to improve suck quality. These can be started before the procedure and introduced one week after the procedure and should be done 3-4 times a day. (Unless otherwise instructed.)
Firsts are always challenging with a little one, particularly those that involve medical professionals. Our first dental visits are fun and age appropriate. It is
After having a lingual frenectomy procedure performed (tongue tie release), it is important to perform exercises to help strengthen the tongue muscle and build oral awareness. This video demonstrates exercises to be performed for 2-4 weeks post procedure. *these exercises are not meant to replace formal therapy by an SLP, OMT or other appropriate functional provider
My goal as a pediatric dentist is to provide comprehensive care to our patients. What I have
learned is that pediatric dentistry is about so much more than just teeth! The way the mouth functions as a whole
determines a lot of how are children grow, develop and function. Some children require a specific therapy
targeted towards optimizes oral function. This therapy is called orofacial myofunctional therapy.
Prior to and after having a lingual frenectomy procedure performed (tongue tie release), it is important to perform exercises to help strengthen the tongue muscle and build oral awareness. This video demonstrates exercises to be performed 3-4 weeks prior to the procedure and for 1 week after the procedure.
In an age of information overload, at times it becomes difficult to know what is real and what is important when choosing a provider for your child.
This holds true when selecting a tongue tie specialist. It is important for our families to be equipped with the facts to make the best decision for their child.
Many parents think that changing your child’s dental provider is a complicated process. It is actually quite the opposite! Switching is as easy as 1, 2, 3!
A few weeks ago, I was that parent. My daughter Ayana (age 3) was diagnosed with a cavity by me. My first thought was, “My child has a cavity!” I realized that this was not a question I was asking, but a declarative statement of frustration for me as a parent.
Post operative exercises are an integral part of proper wound healing post frenectomy procedure. We want to ensure that our patients feel comfortable doing them when they go home. Here is a refresher in case you need one!
Brushing your toddler’s teeth can feel like an impossible task. After a full day of feeding, playing and changing their diapers, the last thing you want to do is wrangle with them to brush their teeth! Here are some tips and tricks to make this feat easier!
Fluoride is the most cost effective and convenient way to prevent cavities in your kids! Learn the hows and whys behind fluoride.
I recommend that parents help their children brush until the age of 8! I know that seems like a long time, but using these tips, can make the job quick and easy.
What is a lip and tongue tie and how can it affect my child? This blog outlines the most common symptoms of lip and tongue tie to look out for.
Lets Talk Tears…
We always try our best to provide our families a smooth experience. However, at certain ages a new setting, new face and simply someone invading your “personal space” can be scary.
Tears at the dentist are never easy. However as a pediatric dental specialist, I have a few tips that will help prevent and if necessary work through crying.
There are many things that affect good dental health. 9 Healthy Snacks For Kids Teeth! 🥦🍉🥕Which are your family’s favorites?-Yogurt-Popcorn-Nuts-Cheese-Edamame-Nut Butters-Hummus-Raw Fruit-Raw Veggies
Why Laser Dentistry?
How does a dental laser work?
What are common procedures performed with a dental laser?
Is a laser safe for my child?
Diagnosing Tongue / Lip Tie
Function First Model
By: Dr. Piya Gandhi
Founder of West U Pediatric Dentistry
A bit about me:
💡 Originally from New York
💡 Houstonian since 2010
💡 Proud Texan
💡 West U is home
💡 Specialty training
💡 University of Texas Alumni
💡 Texas Children’s Hospital Affiliate
West U Pediatric Dentistry is ONE!
This week marks our first year open in Houston.
We are in celebration mode & overjoyed with the amazing connections we have made this year!
We are excited to share with you our new blog, where you will find unique content for mothers and their families.
If we are just looking at the dentist training, a pediatric dentist has gone through 2-3 years of additional training (after 4 years of dental
The mother in me knows how incredibly overwhelming it is to have and care for a newborn, and how impossible it seems to add one more thing to the long list of items to do. I bring this up on a blog for new mothers because the reality is that a child’s mouth needs care starting from birth.
