EPISODE 38 - AIRWAY FIRST PODCAST

Jul 19, 2023

4 min read

Episode 38 of the Airway First podcast is now out! You can catch this and all other episodes on Apple, SoundCloud, Podbean, RSS, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. And check us out on YouTube!

It's about the connection between the teeth and the rest of the body and growing healthy faces. We take away the obstacles so the body can do what it needs to do. ~ Dr. Krystle Dean-Duru

Airway First Podcast with Lynda Dean-Duru and Krystle Dean-Duru

My guests today are two incredibly special providers --- the dynamic duo from Ashburn Children's Dentistry, Dr. Lynda Dean-Duru and Dr. Krystle Dean-Duru. Dentist Lynda Dean-Duru, DDS has spent her life pursuing a career in dentistry and building a successful dental practice that caters to the oral health needs and well-being of children and patients with special needs. In her more than 20 years of experience practicing integrative functional holistic pediatric dentistry, Dr. Lynda has developed a unique approach to treating patients that reflects an impressive skill set fortified by extensive training in the most innovative therapies and technology.

Dr. Lynda received her dental degree from the University of Benin, her General Practice residency from Howard University Hospital, her Pediatric Dentistry Specialty Training from Children’s National Medical Center, her Board Certification from the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, and her Fellowship Laser Certification from the Academy of Laser Dentistry.

Doctor Lynda has undertaken much-continuing education in Orthodontic training and is a fellow of the United States Dental Institute and a member of the prestigious Gnathos education group in Atlanta, Georgia. She holds a certification in Oral Myology from the International Association of Oral Myology (IAOM). She has completed levels 1 and 2 of the Advanced Light force functionals (ALF) therapy, ALF Interface Academy Foundations, Genesis, and other courses.

She is a member of numerous professional and civic associations and provides tens of thousands of dollars in pro bono screenings and procedures along with other community service in Northern Virginia every year.

Dr. Krystle specializes in providing empathetic care and personalized treatment plans to address pediatric patients’ airway, sleep, breathing, and growth concerns, ensuring their healthy smiles and bright futures.

She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Columbia University in New York in Psychology and a Doctorate of Dental Surgery from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. She completed a specialty pediatric residency training at the Interfaith Department of Dental Medicine in Brooklyn, New York, where she served in a leadership role as Chief Resident.

The entire team as Ashburn Children’s Dentistry believes in treating the source of their patient’s issues instead of just the symptoms. They focus on early prevention and in educating parents while assisting their blossoming child’s development into a healthy and resilient adult.

You can find out more about both Dr. Lynda and Dr. Krystle at kidzsmile.com.

Pay attention to your child. Don't let anyone tell you what you've observed isn't true or is in your head. Ask questions and make health choices and steps towards your child's health. ~ Dr. Lynda Dean-Duru

WHEN SHOULD YOUR BABY SEE THE DENTIST?

Did you know that the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends scheduling your child’s first dental appointment when their first tooth appears or by their first birthday? That's because a healthy mouth is about more than just having healthy, straight teeth.

Why take your child to a pediatric dentist versus your family dentist? According to the ADA, pediatric dentists are the pediatricians of dentistry. A pediatric dentist has two to three years of specialty training following dental school and limits his/her practice to treating children only. Pediatric dentists are primary and specialty oral care providers for infants and children through adolescence, including those with special health needs.

If you want to familiarize your child with the setup of the dental office in advance, most dental offices have a tour or photos on their websites. Keep your child's mood positive by letting them bring their favorite stuffed animal, pick their favorite songs to play on the car ride over, or reward them with a small treat after the appointment. After they introduce themselves to the dentist, staff, and office, the next appointment should be much easier.

The ADA recommends that your child receive a check-up every six months in order to prevent cavities and other dental problems. However, your pediatric dentist can tell you when and how often your child should visit based on their personal oral health.

WHAT IS BABY-LED WEANING?

As a complementary food to breast milk or formula, baby-led weaning adds complementary food to the baby's diet. While maintaining eating as an interactive, positive experience, baby-led weaning facilitates oral motor development and emphasizes the family meal. In baby-led weaning, babies can "self-feed" from the beginning of their experience with food to control how much solid food they consume.

Weaning does not mean giving up breast milk or formula, but simply introducing foods other than those. Baby-led weaning helps babies learn to self-feed, grow their fine motor skills, and develop stronger jaws and healthy faces.

How do you know if your baby is ready to try baby-led weaning? Before you begin to try baby-led weaning, ensure that your baby is able to grasp whole pieces of food and bring them to their mouth. Most babies usually develop this skill around the age of six months old.