FAQ´s

Your child may be nervous at first—and you may feel a bit on edge yourself—but children love it here, and with Justin Mund, DDS treating your child, he or she may not want to go home!

Just let your child know that there is a dental chair that goes up and down. There are video games, toys, and adults everywhere who encourage raucous laughter and play, adults who are always ready to share a joke or a smile.

We are a judgment-free dental office and have the warmest team around!

We recommend the following:

• Don’t let your child know that you’re feeling anxious. Children tend to pick up on and share parental anxiety. If your child sees that you’re looking forward to the appointment, he or she will be more likely to feel at ease.
• Don’t mention procedures, but talk about teeth counting and gentle brushing instead.  
• Emphasize the fun that they will have at Smile Ninja Dental & Orthodontics.
• Let them know that they are starting their journey toward Smile Ninja status! Only for the brave and strong.

Getting braces is a big change to everyone when they first get them, so it will take some time to get adjusted to having them on. The first appointment is no big deal because all we are doing is cementing brackets to the face of your teeth. What patients experience with braces as discomfort or soreness is from the pressures each time we tighten and the bone movements that are then caused below. This is actually a very good sign! It means your teeth are starting to slowly shift into a straighter smile which is what we want. The goal of braces is to align your teeth by adjusting your bite, turning your teeth and creating more/less space for your teeth depending on the situation. Most of the discomfort is usually experienced right after your monthly adjustment. Just like new shoes when you first get them, your feet experience discomfort. After wearing them for a few weeks, your feet get used to how they feel. Similarly, your mouth and lips are very much the same. After the first couple of visits, it gets easier but we do recommend some Ibuprofen, if needed, to help with your discomfort from the adjustments. You may also experience pain or discomfort from what you eat while wearing braces. Some foods to avoid when wearing braces would be anything hard, crunchy, sticky or chewy/gummy. The better you take care of your braces, the less likely you will experience any kind of pain or discomfort.

Individuals might require orthodontic treatment for several reasons, including crooked or crowded teeth, overbites, underbites, crossbites, or other misalignments of the teeth and jaw.

The duration of treatment with braces varies depending on the individual's case. On average, people wear braces for 18 to 24 months, but complex cases might take longer.

Yes! Traditional metal braces are the most common, but there are also ceramic braces (which are tooth-colored), lingual braces (positioned behind the teeth), and clear aligners.

Phase 1 Orthodontics, also known as early interceptive orthodontics, is a treatment for children typically aged 6 to 10. It aims to treat and prevent developing orthodontic issues, making future treatments simpler or, in some cases, unnecessary.

While traditional orthodontics often starts during the early teen years when all permanent teeth have come in, Phase 1 Orthodontics begins earlier to address concerns in the developing mouth. It might involve space maintainers, partial braces, or growth modification devices.

Not always. Some children have dental development that proceeds without significant issues. However, for kids showing early signs of bite or alignment problems, Phase 1 Orthodontics can be beneficial.

It depends. Some children might still require braces or another orthodontic appliance after Phase 1 treatment, but the duration and complexity of this treatment can often be reduced.

If you notice early signs of crowded teeth, issues with biting or chewing, or if there's a family history of orthodontic concerns, it's a good idea to consult an orthodontist by age 7.

While getting braces or other orthodontic devices fitted isn't painful, some discomfort might be felt as the teeth begin to move. This discomfort typically lasts only a few days and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.

Maintain excellent oral hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly. Avoid sticky, hard, or chewy foods that can damage the braces. Regular checkups with the orthodontist are essential to ensure everything is progressing well.

Typically, patients with braces have check-ups every 4 to 8 weeks. However, the frequency can vary depending on the specific treatment plan.

After braces are removed, patients usually wear retainers to hold the teeth in their new positions and prevent them from shifting back.

No, many adults also get braces or other orthodontic treatments. It's never too late to improve your smile!

We, here at Smile Ninja, love working with children and instilling healthy habits in young people that can last a lifetime. It is our goal to make each child feel special and enjoy a positive experience in our Fort Worth, TX dental office. We pride ourselves in creating relationships with our patients and their families!

By instilling pride in their smiles through our Smile Ninja approach to dentistry, we find that kids are eager to please Dr. Mund and his entire staff, which leads to better brushing and flossing habits at home.  

Additionally, our strengths lie in taking the very best care of our littlest patients but we also are dentists for the whole family. We can be your one stop for all of your families’ needs, including restorative treatments such as fillings, crown, and orthodontics. Smile Ninja is a place where a mom takes the kids to get everything she needs for their dental health in a fun environment. Our goal is to help younger patients learn to be great adult patients. Our patients love to visit as we try to make our office a happy place to be! Not many people can say that about visiting dentists in the past.

Bring your child to our Fort Worth, TX dental office today. We think you’ll be surprised by how much your son or daughter will love it here. We are here to provide quality dental care for all patients in a safe and enjoyable environment, free of stress and judgment.

And remember, we love treating moms and dads, too!

At Smile Ninja Dental & Orthodontics we primarily see children, but we always make time for moms and dads. Justin Mund, DDS moves between age groups seamlessly, and displays the same attention to detail with each patient.

For adults, we offer preventive dentistry, which includes regular dental exams, twice-yearly teeth cleanings, and periodic x-rays in our Fort Worth, TX dental office. Dr. Mund also provides dental maintenance through general dentistry. This includes anything you may need to keep you smile healthy. Examples of general dentistry include fillings and root canals.

Dr. Mund is also a CandidPro provider. This means clear and discreet braces for teens and older adults—more affordable than Invisalign and more comfortable than traditional wire braces. And don’t forget to treat yourself to a professional teeth whitening treatment! We think you deserve it.

Additionally, our Fort Worth, TX office promotes prevention at home and gives you the tools through oral health education to maintain a great oral hygiene routine based on your needs. This begins with brushing and flossing at least twice per day.

Dentistry should be a family affair, and we invite parents to be part of our Smile Ninja team.

It can be a little alarming when your baby or child clenches their teeth and grind them. While the sounds of a baby grinding teeth can make you cringe and you might worry if they’re damaging those newly erupted pearly whites, it’s very common and usually completely normal.

Adults can often grind as well which they can get a night guard to protect the teeth from damage. But children are growing, and would outgrow one very fast, so this isn't as much of an option for them.

Sometimes children grind as they are just growing and the bite is setting in.  Sometimes its just a habit like sleep walking. Other times, we've seen it associated with enlarged tonsils, snoring and even sleep apnea. When we snore we are cutting off oxygen to the brain that we would get by breathing normally. The brain needs plenty to produce hormones that help us recover and feel more alert during the daytime. Children could be clenching or grinding without knowing why as it has a result of stiffening their airway, thus allowing that air to pass better when sleeping.

What can we do? Studies have shown that temporary pads can be placed on the teeth to protect them from clenching too much and opening their bite. This allows more air to pass when breathing at night. They are called bite turbos or bite blocks which we use often here in the office. A bite block's main function is to correct a misaligned bite which would help open up the airway as well for the child.

There are many causes of bleeding gums. Most of these can easily be fixed, but some can also be a sign of more serious oral issues needing to be addressed.

Many people get nervous when they see blood of any kind, but it's pretty common for gums to bleed. However, that does not mean it's a good thing.

The most common reason for bleeding gums is due to 'gingivitis' which is a mild infection of the gumline where buildup of plaque is at its earliest stage. Your gums become swollen, tender, and can bleed during brushing or flossing. We see this quite often, and in simple terms, it tells us that these areas need to be cleaned better. Brushing and flossing thoroughly and consistently usually resolves this. Regular exams allow us to help you in identifying these areas and we can give you tips on how to improve what you’re doing at home! During regular cleanings, we can then remove anything you are missing at home allowing your gums to remain healthy and happy!

The next thing we see is periodontal disease, which is a chronic infection in the gums due to years of infection and inflammation near the gums resulting in bone loss around the teeth. These patients will always need to keep up with their cleanings and most tend to visit every 3 months to stay on top of the disease. If it's been years for these patients since the last cleaning, their gums will likely bleed after removing the tartar from their teeth, but they will be on their way to becoming healthier!

For a lot of dental treatment we are able to send you home knowing that you won't have any bleeding. However, for some procedures like removing a tooth, there will definitely be bleeding. Oozing or bleeding can last up to 48 hours after treatment and is normal. Use gauze as directed. Alternatively, a home remedy is placing a tea bag on the area to help it clot.

Another reason gums bleed after dental work could be that the tooth being treated was near the gums. When this happens it heals pretty quickly due to the nature of the gum tissue.

When you need dental treatment, we go over the "post-op expectations" with you so that you are prepared. We also remind you that when we have to numb your mouth for your dental treatment, it is vital not to put your hands in your mouth or eat/drink until your mouth “wakes up.” If you don't wait, you could accidentally harm your gums, cheeks, or tongue, as you cannot feel them. This could also cause unexpected bleeding.

Biting anything that is not food is terrible for our teeth! The grinding friction of teeth against nails can gradually wear the enamel away, or even cause teeth to chip or crack.

In addition to leaving the nails torn, uneven, and doing damage to the nail beds, nail biting can lead to a variety of oral health complications. Dirt and germs get trapped under our fingernails, and when we chew on them, that all gets transferred to our mouths, which can result in gum disease. Nails, plastic, clothes, anything you don't intend on swallowing should be avoided completely. A nail biting habit can increase a person’s risk of developing a chronic teeth-grinding habit as well, which comes with even more oral health problems, along with headaches and soreness.

What are some ways to prevent it? We've heard a lot of solutions like, gels painted on the nails that taste bitter or spicy, trimming your nails regularly, getting a manicure or stopping as a gradual process, choosing one nail at a time to stop biting.

While we recommend electric toothbrushes and offer them in our office, we believe that something is better than nothing of course.  Electric, or Sonicare, toothbrushes do part of the work for you by creating the circular motion or vibration of brushing with a regular toothbrush. For kids, we like them to get used to the motion of electric toothbrushes, and we find that these kids behave better at their appointments because it's not as big of a difference for them. Electric toothbrushes make it more likely to brush for the recommended amount of time since they all generally have a timer on them for 2 minutes.

So why do we suggest them? Not because they clean your teeth better than if you brushed properly with a manual toothbrush. But it makes the process of brushing more consistent and for the appropriate time, each time. Also for children, some electric toothbrushes can be paired to a phone app. This makes it engaging and less like a tedious task that they have to do and more of an enjoyable experience to have fun with. We have also seen other ‘toothbrushes’ in different shapes that generally we won't recommend at all due to the fact that they rarely even reach the gumline in most cases and can lead to decay, gingivitis, and even periodontal disease.

Many people believe losing baby teeth before their time is not a big deal. Other teeth will grow in later, so why do they matter?

The truth is baby teeth help your child learn to chew and speak properly, and they act as place holders for permanent teeth, leading the way for adult teeth to come in correctly. Additionally, decay or bacteria can spread from a baby tooth to the adult tooth below the gumline and compromise that tooth before it has a chance to emerge healthily.

Wiping your baby’s gums with a damp cloth in infancy to clear away bacteria and establishing good brushing habits when teeth emerge is a great way to shelter baby teeth that, in turn, protect adult teeth.

It’s also important to visit Justin Mund, DDS regularly for exams and visit out Fort Worth, TX dental office for twice-yearly cleanings at Dr. Mund’s earliest recommendation.

Remember, baby teeth set the stage for adult teeth, so caring for these early teeth is vital for your child’s long-term dental health.

For most patients, we recommend a dental checkup and cleaning every six months. Regular visits ensure early detection and treatment of potential dental issues.

A cavity filling is used to repair a small area of tooth decay, while a crown (or cap) covers and strengthens a tooth that might be damaged or decayed beyond what a filling can repair.

Modern root canal procedures are designed to be as comfortable as possible. At Smile Ninja Dental & Orthodontics, we use advanced techniques and anesthesia to ensure minimal discomfort during and after the procedure.

Tooth extractions may be recommended for various reasons, including severe decay, infection, crowding, or damage beyond repair. We ensure a smooth process with a focus on patient comfort.

Signs that you might need your wisdom teeth removed include pain, swelling, infections in the back of your mouth, or teeth crowding. However, an examination and X-ray at our office will give a clear indication.

Yes! We are all about family dentistry. Feel free to set up joint appointments for your convenience and to make dental care a family affair.

In case of a dental emergency, such as a broken tooth or severe pain, contact us immediately. We'll guide you on the next steps and ensure you get the care you need as soon as possible.

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Regular brushing (at least twice daily), flossing daily, maintaining a balanced diet, and avoiding excessive sugary foods and drinks are essential. Regular checkups and cleanings at Smile Ninja Dental & Orthodontics will also play a pivotal role.

Yes, with our trained staff and thorough protocols, sedation dentistry is safe for children.

The duration varies depending on the type of sedation. Oral sedation might last longer than laughing gas, which wears off soon after the procedure.

No, you'll be drowsy and might even doze off, but you'll still be somewhat responsive if prompted.

Yes, the effects of laughing gas wear off rapidly, and your child will return to their usual state soon after the procedure.

Our team consistently monitors vital signs, conducts health checks prior to procedures, and is well-prepared with emergency equipment and protocols.

Coverage varies based on your insurance plan. It's best to consult with your insurance provider or our office for specific details.

Keep the tooth moist and avoid touching the root. Place it in milk or hold it inside the cheek (for older kids). Contact us immediately.

Reach out to us immediately. Prompt care can make all the difference in dental emergencies.

While not always an emergency, persistent tooth sensitivity should be addressed. Contact us to discuss any unusual oral sensations or discomfort.

Yes, dental X-rays are safe and vital in diagnosing hidden issues that might lead to emergencies down the road.

Call our office. We'll provide guidance on immediate steps and arrange for care as soon as possible.

Not all toothaches are emergencies. However, if the pain is severe, persistent, or accompanied by other symptoms like swelling, it's best to contact us.

Over-the-counter pain relievers, cold compresses, and saltwater rinses might offer temporary relief. Always consult with us or your pediatrician before administering any medication.

Keep the tooth moist and avoid touching the root. Place it in milk or hold it inside the cheek (for older kids). Contact us immediately.

Reach out to us immediately. Prompt care can make all the difference in dental emergencies.

While not always an emergency, persistent tooth sensitivity should be addressed. Contact us to discuss any unusual oral sensations or discomfort.

Yes, dental X-rays are safe and vital in diagnosing hidden issues that might lead to emergencies down the road.

Call our office. We'll provide guidance on immediate steps and arrange for care as soon as possible.

Not all toothaches are emergencies. However, if the pain is severe, persistent, or accompanied by other symptoms like swelling, it's best to contact us.

Over-the-counter pain relievers, cold compresses, and saltwater rinses might offer temporary relief. Always consult with us or your pediatrician before administering any medication.