Our Blog
The secret lives of baby teeth
"Why some are trying to discover more about our bodies’ “little living archives.” By Jackie Rocheleau Updated Jan 27, 2022 "Erin Dunn gets baby teeth in the mail, sent by volunteers from across New England. Each tooth arrives at her lab in a tube packed with fluffy...
Objective Improvement After Frenotomy for Posterior Tongue-Tie: A Prospective Randomized Trial
"Infants with posterior tongue-tie (PTT) can have substantial difficulty with breastfeeding and bottle-feeding. This study aimed to address the dearth in investigational objective data surrounding PTT release to better quantify the postoperative impacts of frenotomy...
10 best ways to grow your newborn baby’s brain
"The human brain has 100 billion nerve cells, all of which are present at birth but have few links between them. Babies’ brains develop by creating an intricate network between these cells. Research shows that there are certain types of experiences you can give your...
Can COVID-19 Damage Your Teeth And Mouth?
HUFFPOST.COM | BY Julia Ries 11/16/2020 10:08am EST | Updated November 16, 2020 "COVID-19 was once thought to mainly affect the lungs, but throughout the pandemic we’ve learned that’s certainly not the case...Now, more anecdotal reports are surfacing that the...
Should Infants Be Separated From COVID-19-Positive Mothers?
BY MARY ANN LIEBERT, INC./GENETIC ENGINEERING NEWS New Rochelle, NY, April 9, 2020--In a new commentary, Alison Stuebe, MD, President of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, addresses the risks and benefits of separating infants from COVID-19-positive mothers...
What Coronavirus Means for Pregnancy
"Over the next three months, nearly a million women in the United States will give birth to nearly a million babies — a huge influx of mostly healthy, highly vulnerable patients into a hospital system that’s about to come under unprecedented strain. Pregnant women,...
A randomized and controlled trial to examine the impact of lingual frenotomy on bottle feeding mechanics
"Some babies are born with tongue-tie where an unusually short or tight band of tissue tethers the bottom of the tongue to the floor of the mouth. Babies with tongue-tie can have a hard time breastfeeding. We hypothesize that with a lingual frenotomy, a surgical...
KC Parent Magazine Family Faves Award 2019
We are excited to announce that we have won the 2019 KC Parent Magazine 2019 Award for Family Faves for favorite local dental practice! We are so happy to be a part of helping families in Kansas City stay healthy and happy. Thank you for your support!
Exclusive Breastfeeding Is Favorably Associated with Physical Fitness in Children
Physical fitness (PF) is defined as the “ability to carry out daily tasks with vigor and alertness, without undue fatigue and with ample energy to enjoy leisure-time pursuits and to meet unforeseen emergencies.” As PF is a powerful marker of cardiovascular health in...
Prenatal Exposure to Folic Acid
New research provides evidence that prenatal exposure to folic acid fortification is associated with a reduced risk for symptoms of psychosis. The study, published in JAMA Psychiatry, found that increased in utero folic acid exposure was associated with changes in...
Observe the Latch: A Missing Link in Physician Training
"Physical diagnosis is a central component of medical education. As medical students, our physical diagnosis course provided us with in-depth knowledge and skills to perform a medical history and a comprehensive physical examination. We used and perfected these skills...
What Decreases Breast Milk Supply
You may not realize it, but many everyday things can interfere with how your body makes breast milk. If you're breastfeeding and concerned about your milk supply going down, take a look at these eleven issues that can cause a decrease in your breast milk supply. Read...
5 Ways to Increase Breast Milk Production via Healthline.com
Can you increase breast milk production? If you’re worried that you’re not producing enough breast milk for your baby, you’re not alone. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that approximately 75 percent of new mothers start off breastfeeding...
This may be why you can’t remember the first years of life
Remember growing those baby teeth? Taking that inaugural crawl? Mouthing that earliest solid food? Of course you don’t — and neither does anyone else. On average, the earliest people can remember is age 3¹/₂. Before that is darkness. But science is getting closer to...
Breastfeeding and Dental Health
MOUTHHEALTHY.COM - Breastfeeding is one of the first (and most personal) decisions a mother makes for her baby. It can help your baby’s body fight infections and reduce health risks like asthma, ear infections, SIDS and obesity in children. Nursing moms may lower...
From womb to world: scans capture how our brains develop during pregnancy and beyond
The Developing Human Connectome Project is collecting brain scans of sleeping babies and those in the womb. The…READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE: http://www.wired.co.uk/gallery/developing-human-connectome-project
Neuroscientists say having a baby shrinks mothers’ brains
Women who are pregnant often report feeling a little fuzzy, a little dim and more forgetful than usual, but medical research has produced…READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE: https://qz.com/982911/neuroscientists-say-having-a-baby-shrinks-mothers-brains/
How You Can Tell if Your Breastfed Baby Is Eating Enough
By Gabrielle Olya / People | March 7, 2017 | MOTTO.TIME.COM 'It’s important to look at the baby and not the clock' Breastfeeding mom Jillian Johnson lost her son Landon due to accidental starvation just 19 days after giving birth because he did not get enough...
How The Pressure To Breastfeed Can Exacerbate Postpartum Depression
January 20, 2017 | By Korin Miller | SELF.COM One widower shares his late wife's story. New dad Kim Chen is receiving a lot of support after penning a powerful Facebook post detailing his wife’s experience with postpartum depression—and her eventual tragic suicide. As...
When Do Children Start Making Long-Term Memories?
Dima Amso, an associate professor in the department of cognitive, linguistic and psychological sciences at Brown University, answers via scientificamerican.com "The early years of parenthood involve so many rewarding firsts—when your infant cracks a toothless grin,...
General Wellness Starts With Oral Care
Did you know that oral health is intimately connected to your overall wellness? Your mouth is a gateway to the rest of your body, so maintaining healthy habits like brushing, flossing, and scheduling regular check-ups is essential. Negligent dental habits can cause...
How a mother’s voice shapes her baby’s developing brain
From Aeon.co, Kate Fehlhaber | Oct. 6, 2016 It is no surprise that a child prefers its mother’s voice to those of strangers. Beginning in the womb, a foetus’s developing auditory pathways sense the sounds and vibrations of its mother. Soon after birth, a child can...
Infants’ brains attuned to baby talk and nursery rhymes – BBC News
By Pallab GhoshScience correspondent, BBC News | 16 November 2016 Researchers in Cambridge believe that babies learn best when their brain waves are in sync with their parents'. Click here to read more.
Short Lingual Frenulum and Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC RESEARCH | HUANG ET AL. INT J PEDIATR RES 2015, 1:1 Many of these syndromes are associated with abnormal breathing during sleep and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) [1]. However, they are most commonly isolated, involving more boys than...
Defending Your Children’s Teeth (and Dentists): The Value of Sealants
THE NEW YORK TIMES | Austin Frakt | September 19, 2016 Your dentist has probably offered dental sealants for your child. Mine has. Without knowing whether they work, I’ve always accepted them. Turns out, this was a good move. Introduced in the 1960s, dental sealants...
Pre-term breastfeeding has been linked to better brain development, IQ, and academic achievement
SCIENCEALERT.COM | BEC CREW | AUG 1 2016 A new study of pre-term babies has found that the more breast milk they have in the first 28 days of their life, the more likely they are to develop larger volumes in crucial brain regions. Compared to pre-term babies whose...
Meet Solea: Our Awesome New Dental Laser
Solea, the first CO2 dental laser cleared by the FDA for hard and soft tissue, has arrived at our office. Here’s what it means for you. We are proud to announce that we are now using the Solea dental laser. Here are four reasons to get excited about Solea: Solea’s...
The Definitive Guide to Cleaning Your Teeth Correctly
Type in “How do you brush teeth” into Google and you will find 15.5 million articles discussing the most basic oral health practice. Here’s a foolproof guide to keeping your teeth pearly white: Two Brushes a Day Keeps the Dentist Away – Brushing for two minutes twice...
AAPD Annual Session 2016
Dr. Nick A. Prater and Dr. Bobby Ghaheri, MD, ENT attending AAPD Annual Session 2016.
Executive Power in the Nursery: How a Baby’s Cry Rattles Our Executive Functions
A baby’s cry not only commands our attention, it also rattles our executive functions—the very neural and cognitive processes we use for making everyday decisions, according to a new University of Toronto study. Read the complete article on NueroSciencesNews.com...
A WONDERFUL TIME TO BE A DENTAL PATIENT
The dental industry is adopting technologies like Solea to drastically improve our patients’ experience. Here’s why we added one to our office: It’s a wonderful time to be a dental patient. Technology continues to make prioritizing your oral health easier and more...
Our Ground-Breaking New Laser
By now, you’ve likely heard about our new, amazing dental laser, the Solea. It’s a radical breakthrough in dental technology and allows us to perform virtually painless and soundless procedures without any anesthesia. What types of procedures, you ask? Here’s a quick...
Sweet Sound of Silence
Solea, the first CO2 dental laser cleared by the FDA, proves that silence really is golden. For a long time, going to the dentist has had a bad rap. In fact, 50% of Americans do not regularly go, a hurdle we work hard to overcome by investing in the best technology on...
Top 5 Things to Keep Your Dentist Smiling
We’re constantly working to create a better patient experience. Here are five things you can do to help us help you: 1. Come say hello twice a year. The American Dental Association says two times is the charm. Multiple visits a year lets us keep an eye out for any...
Solea Laser Course with Dr. Kotlow
This picture was taken this past Saturday when Dr. Prater was at Dr.Kotlow's office. We had a Solea Laser course with Dr.Kotlow, as well lectures on soft and hard tissue pediatric surgical laser dental care.
Lingual and Labial Frenums
by Martha Macaluso, MLT, RDH, BS, and Dana Hockenbury, CC-SLP, COM | December 2015 | RDHMAG.com Early detection can prevent cascading health effects associated with tongue-tie. Ankyloglossia, also known as tongue-tie or TOTs, is a congenital oral anomaly that may...
Congratulations Miss Teen Kansas 2016
CONGRATULATIONS! Our client, Madison won Miss Teen Kansas for 2016 last week and Malerie won as well! Dr. Prater did the orthodontic treatment for both. Madison will be attending KU next fall with a scholarship in Rowing.
Babies need free tongue movement to decipher speech sounds — ScienceDaily
SOURCE Science Daily | October 2015 Inhibiting infants' tongue movements impedes their ability to distinguish between speech sounds, researchers with the University of British Columbia have found. The study is the first to discover a direct link between infants'...
Tips for a Mouth Healthy Halloween
Halloween is around the corner, which for most children means bags of free candy and easy access to all kinds of sweets. It's also a pretty tempting holiday for adults. Here are 5 ways everyone can stay mouth healthy during Halloween and every day.See the slidshow at...
Baby born with teeth; not as rare as you might think
Baby born with teeth; not as rare as you might think - Read more - http://fox4kc.com/2015/08/28/baby-born-with-teeth-not-as-rare-as-you-might-think/
We specialize in oral procedures for infants and newborn babies.
Located in Olathe, KS, we specialize in oral procedures for infants and newborn babies. All of our procedures are simple and are conducted with state-of-the-art Laser Technology in a very minimal amount of time. We correct the different types of lip and tongue ties...
Watch a wonderful testimonial from one of our amazing clients.
Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
Even though they are temporary, your child's baby teeth are important, and are still susceptible to cavities. Tooth decay in infants and toddlers is often referred to as Baby Bottle Tooth Decay, or Early Childhood Caries. Children need strong, healthy teeth to chew...
Healthy Smiles From the Start
Are you about to have a baby? Watch this video to learn why taking care of your teeth and gums is important during pregnancy - http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/pregnancy/healthy-habits
Teaching Kids How to Brush
Help your kids brush their teeth 2min2x -- 2 minutes each time, twice a day -- for healthier teeth, good breath, fewer cavities, and to avoid painful dental problems. The Partnership for Healthy Mouths, Healthy Lives recommends that you help or watch over your kids’...
TOTS –Tethered Oral Tissues
TOTS – Tethered Oral Tissues - The Assessment and Diagnosis of the Tongue and Upper Lip Ties in Breastfeeding. The roll of tethered oral tissues (TOTS) such as an infant’s tongue and upper lip attachment are often overlooked or dismissed as cause of infant distress or...
Sugar Industry Influenced Research on Tooth Decay, Documents Reveal
Written by David Mills | Published on March 10, 2015 A report released today shows the sugar industry steered national dental policies away from reductions in sugar consumption to prevent tooth decay. The sugar industry worked closely with health organizations in the...
Formula Fed Babies More Likely to Be Exposed to This Poisonous Substance
The nation’s top pediatric association calls breastfeeding the “healthiest start” for infants, and a new study reaffirms that position over formula as well. Research from Dartmouth College found that arsenic levels were more than seven times higher in formula-fed...
National Children’s Dental Health Month
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month (NCDHM), a great time for parents and caregivers to remember the importance that oral health plays in children’s overall health and wellness. The health of little teeth is more critical than many people realize. In...
Activities & Games Help Kids Learn Good Oral Health Care
MouthHealthyKids.org has activities and games to help kids learn the importance of good oral health care – all while having fun. Kids can play games, watch videos and take fun educational quizzes. Resources are also available for educators to help with classroom...
Research Finds Tooth Enamel Fast-Track In Humans
Research has discovered a link between prenatal enamel growth rates in teeth and weaning in human babies. The research found that incisor teeth grow quickly in the early stages of the second trimester of a baby's development, while molars grow at a slower rate in the...
Now is Time to Take Advantage of End of the Year Insurance Benefits
This article is reminding patients to take advantage of their end of the year insurance benefits. Dental insurance benefits do not roll over from year to year; consequently, patients who delay procedures may end up paying more the next year for care because they will...
What Is the Difference Between a General Dentist and a Pediatric Dentist?
As a parent, it is your responsibility to ensure that your child’s teeth remain as healthy and strong as possible. While it is naturally important to inform and educate yourself on simple oral hygiene techniques and habits that you should integrate into your child’s...
Halloween Can Be Scary, Especially for Kids’ Teeth
Your kids may be ready to indulge in sweet treats this Halloween, but don't let the holiday turn into an oral health nightmare. To keep your children's smiles safe from creepy cavities this season and all year-round, consider these tips from the Academy of General...
Sensitive Teeth
by MouthHealthy.org Is the taste of ice cream or a sip of hot coffee sometimes a painful experience for you? Does brushing or flossing make you wince occasionally? If so, you may have sensitive teeth. Possible causes include: Tooth decay (cavities) Fractured teeth...
How can I protect my child’s oral health at home?
BY knowyourtteeth.com Parents typically provide oral hygiene care until the child is old enough to take personal responsibility for the daily dental health routine of brushing and flossing. A proper regimen of preventive home care is important from the day your child...
Take Care of Your Child’s Smile for Life
by KnowYourTeeth.com With a baby, everything is a first, and that includes the first adorable smile. To ensure a lifetime of healthy smiles, the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) recommends that your child's first trip to a dentist occurs six months after his or her...
AAP Recommends Fluoride As Soon As Teeth Appear
By Renee Johnson | August 25, 2014 According to new recommendations provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics, (AAP) children should use toothpaste that contains fluoride as soon as teeth appear, no matter the risk of cavities. Experts go on to say that up to the...
Laser Powers Painless Dental Drill
BY PETER GWYNNE Inside Science | July 27, 2014 Many patients regard the dental office as a house of pain – a place to be endured, with literally a stiff upper lip, when they can’t avoid it. But a few dentists have started to soften that image by using a laser rather...
Is My Child at Risk for Early Childhood Tooth Decay?
The average healthy adult visits the dentist twice a year. The average healthy 2-year-old has never been to the dentist. By kindergarten, 25 percent of children have never seen a dentist, yet dental decay is the single most common chronic childhood disease in America....
Baby’s First Steps to a Healthy Mouth
Parents are a child's first teachers in life and they play a significant role in maintaining their child's overall health. In observance of National Children's Dental Health Month, the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) encourages parents to introduce good oral health...
Tongue/Lip Tie Release
Care after lingual and maxillary lip ties. Watch a video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62pZw0LqYv8
Cavity Prevention Tips for Preschoolers
Providing proper care and oral hygiene during preschool years can mean a lifetime of good oral health, according to an article in the January/February 2005 issue of General Dentistry, the clinical, peer-reviewed journal of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD)....
Does Your Baby Have a Tongue or Lip Tie?
By Mindy from her Purposefully Simple Blog: I’m not a doctor or lactation consultant. I’m a mom who has dealt with the difficult nursing and slow baby weight gain that a tongue or lip tie can cause and wanted to pass on what I know in the hope that it can help another...
AAPD Cites Ways to Prevent Risk for Children’s Tooth Decay
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), the recognized leader in children’s oral health, continues to emphasize that the way to decrease children’s tooth decay is by visiting a dentist early on. The AAPD recommends that each child should have a dental home...
Be Prepared for Childhood Tooth Injuries
AAPD President-Elect Dr. Ed Moody recently spoke with Anna Nguyen, Healthy Kids Blog Editor at Philly.com in regards to tooth injuries in children. According to the story: Just as kids prep for their spring sports season, it’s good for parents to know what to do in...
Quick Tips For Parents
Whitening Toothpastes Whitening toothpastes have polishing agents in addition to the mild abrasives that help remove surface stains from teeth. Teeth that have surface stains are cleaned and whitened by whitening toothpastes; however, deeper stains won’t be touched....
AAPD Releases Visual Guide for Tooth Injuries
With Springtime childhood activities in full swing, The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) has developed a highly-visual, easy-to-follow guide which can be printed and posted to refrigerators so family members and babysitters know what to do should a tooth...
Your First Visit
Dr. Prater Takes Pride In Personally Treating Each and Every Child At His Office! Getting to know Dr. Prater will be a fun and enjoyable experience for you, your child, and us. We will review your child's history and make sure you are comfortable with our procedures...