Healthy Start

Back in January 2019, I attended an American Academy of Clear Aligners (AACA) President's meeting called to order by the leader of the most successful GP Invisalign group on the globe. And just being part of the conference held in Nassau, the Bahamas, was cause for some serious reflection and gratitude.

Part of the conference included various dental-related companies pitching their products. And one of the presenters was transforming lives and starting early. Doctor Jill Ombrello, from Dallas, had my colleagues and I signing on the training days dotted line even before the standing ovation had lost a few decibels.

Our dental practice put in the time for extensive digital training and added 2-days of the live platform, delivered by none other than the founder of Healthy Start, Dr. Earl Bergersen. Healthy Start has helped over 4-million young patients, including Dr. Ombrello (back in The Day.) And the service has been around for over 57-years, while unfortunately being one of the best kept oral/general health secrets since the unknown whereabouts of Judge Crater (and his teeth.)

The central issue for many children suffering from the effects of Sleep Disordered Breathing is a compromised airway. When a child's airway is narrow or constricted in any way (often from allergies and enlarged tonsils and adenoids), the youngster will struggle to receive oxygen at night, resulting in some serious health issues. Healthy Start is a pain free approach; it provides an ideal airway by guiding jaw development with a series of uniquely designed non-invasive oral appliances.

The consequences of Sleep Disordered Breathing are many and lasting, considering the challenge impacts nightly sleep breathing during critical times of both physical and cognitive development. Some common symptoms include ADD/ADHD, mouth breathing, difficulty in school, chronic allergies, crowded teeth, teeth grinding, delayed physical and cognitive growth, and even bed wetting.

It's also interesting that Healthy Start youngsters can finish orthodontic care by age twelve, just when traditionally treated young patients are just getting started or who are just beginning Phase 2 orthodontic care.

Healthy Start can make a difference for children as young as four years of age. Destructive habit patterns can be reversed in as little as two months. And Temple City Dental Care’s Dr. Kyle Low is one of the select dentists in Southern California providing Healthy Start care. When I first met Dr. Low two years ago, he was already treating then, 5-year-old Owen. Middle kid Russell (4-years-old) has just started with his Habit Corrector appliance and I’m sure Doc has an eye on Baby Mia too.

If young family members exhibit any of the symptoms I've described, please search "Healthy Start" to learn more; it’s never too soon to ask questions. And I know for sure there’s a dentist in Temple City who can make a difference.