Beverly Hills Orthodontist Wants Parents to Be Aware of Connection Between Allergies and Malocclusion

March 10, 2009— LOS ANGELES, SANTA MONICA AND BEVERLY HILLS CALIFORNIA — Allergy season is just around the corner and it is important for parents to understand the relationship between allergies and malocclusion, said Beverly Hills Orthodontist Dr. Atoosa Nikaeen.

Treating children early for allergies can prevent them from developing future problems with the alignment of their teeth.

A common cause of bad bite in people is an airway obstruction during childhood. This obstruction can be the result of many causes, including allergens such as pollen, pet dander and dust, Nikaeen said.

Children who are adversely affected by these allergens begin to build up mucus in the back of the throat. This mucus build-up prevents bacteria from being swallowed and can lead to infection, she said.

The infection causes the adenoids and tonsils to work harder and over the course of time, the adenoids and tonsils overdevelop and make it more difficult for children to breathe through their noses, Nikaeen said. That could result in mouth breathing, which can cause a narrow upper jaw and long face syndrome to develop. In turn, that can lead to multiple bite and speech problems.

Mouth breathing can cause postural changes, such as lowered position of the mandible, raised position of the head and low posture of the hyoid bone- the U-shaped bone at the base of the tongue that supports the tongue muscles, according to a 2002 study titled, “Dentofacial Morphology of Mouth Breathing Children.” (http://www.forp.usp.br/bdj/bdj13(2)/v13n2a10/v13n2a10.pdf).

It also can affect the tongue’s position and can alter postural changes related to specific dentofacial characteristics and morphological changes, the study found.

If left untreated long enough, the effects of mouth breathing cannot be corrected by orthodontics alone, Nikaeen said. Often, surgery is required.

“Since allergy season is upon us, it is important for parents to pay attention to how their children breathe,” she said. “If they are severe mouth breathers, now is the time of year when that will show, and parents can get their children treated for their allergies to help prevent the problem.”

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children be evaluative by an orthodontist by age 7. An orthodontist can help identify problems and correct many of them before they contribute to malocclusion, Nikaeen said.

Learn More

If you would like to learn more about the orthodontic practice of Beverly Hills braces specialist Dr. Atoosa Nikaeen, visit her Web site: www.invisibraces.com, or call her office for a free consultation: (310) 444-1113.

About Dr. Atoosa Nikaeen

Dr. Nikaeen graduated with honors from dental school in 1993 and received a doctorate in dental surgery (DDS). She gained experience practicing general dentistry for several years before attending Columbia University School of Dentistry and Oral Surgeons in New York, where she earned her post-doctoral education in orthodontics and received an orthodontic specialty certificate.

In addition to running her practice, Dr. Nikaeen is a faculty member at the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA) Orthodontic Department and teaches orthodontic residents.

Dr. Nikaeen’s Los Angeles practice serves patients throughout Southern California, including Beverly Hills and Santa Monica.

© 2009 Sinai Orthodontic Practice Marketing and Dr. Atoosa Nikaeen. Authorization to post is granted, with the stipulation that Sinai Marketing is credited as sole source. Linking to other sites from this press release is strictly prohibited, with the exception of herein imbedded links.
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