Ask the Experts

We have a wide range of experts on hand to answer your questions on everything from dental visits and playdates to dance lessons, lawns and so much more! If you have a question that needs answering, get in touch.

Q. How can I keep my child’s teeth from shifting after the braces have been removed?

Holding teeth straight following orthodontics is one of the greatest challenges for families and for orthodontists. As we get older, the natural pressures of the muscles of the face and the pressures of the tongue cause the teeth to shift. Whether someone has had orthodontics or not, teeth will nearly always change over time. After the investment of money and time, no parent wants this investment to be for nothing! Retainers following braces or Invisalign are critical to protecting this investment. At Fry Orthodontics we provide retainers for life for free! We want to be as invested as families to ensure the teeth stay straight.

Dr. Jeremy Fry, Fry Orthodontics

At Fry Orthodontics, we have been providing superior service to patients of all ages for more than 40 years while helping them achieve a healthy and beautiful smile. 913.469.9191, FryOrthodontics.com

Q. Do my kids need sunscreen in the winter?

Though sunscreen is not always thought of as a priority during the winter, it can actually be as important to your children as hats and mittens. While the overall amount of UV radiation is slightly diminished in the winter due to change in angle between the earth and the sun, this can be offset by reflected UV radiation from snow and ice. In addition, outdoor activities like skiing, for example, are done at high altitudes where there is less atmosphere to absorb UV radiation. Finally, UV exposure is cumulative for not only skin cancers, but changes in skin due to aging, and while your child may not burn as easily in winter, any unprotected time in the sun adds to the cumulative amount of exposure in their lifetime.

Michael Greenfield Pediatrics and Internal Medicine AdventHealth Medical Group Internal Medicine & Pediatrics

AdventHealth Shawnee Mission’s pediatricians and primary care providers offer compassionate, expert care for children of all ages. Find a provider at AdventHealthKC.com.

Q. A friend of mine provides respite care for foster families. What exactly is respite care?

Fostering and providing care for children on a daily basis takes a big commitment. Why not consider respite care? Respite care providers give foster parents a break for one night or a weekend, so it’s similar to foster parenting but much shorter in length and a great way to see if foster parenting is right for you. Respite care gives foster parents temporary relief from caregiving, allowing them to rest and spend time with their families. If you are a trained respite caregiver, then you may qualify to provide evening or weekend care for a chi

Megan Maciel Director of Recruitment and Communication, KVC Kansas

KVC Kansas provides heart-centered services to children and families through in-home family support, foster care, adoption, behavioral health care and children’s psychiatric hospitals. 913.499.8100, Kansas.kvc.org

Q. What are some common causes of headaches in children?

Headaches are one of the most common disorders in childhood, with up to 60-75 percent of children reporting that they have had a significant headache by the age of 15. Headaches are generally caused by several factors, with the most common being inherited by their parents (genetics), stress, social relationship difficulties, and environmental triggers (weather changes). The top three triggers of worsening headaches are stress, sleep, and weather changes. Stress (or emotional pain) is usually the number one factor that makes headaches hard to treat. Our emotional pathways are intertwined with our physical pain pathways, and one can affect the other.

Anna Esparham Director, Headache Treatment Center at Children’s Mercy

Children’s Mercy is one of the nation’s top pediatric medical centers. With hospitals and specialty clinics in Missouri and Kansas, we provide the highest level of care for children. 816.234.3000, ChildrensMercy.org

Are you an expert in your field with advice for our readers, contact editor@kcparent.com and we may consider adding you to our panel.

• Fry Orthodontic Specialists

  Fry Orthodontic Specialists is a unique group of people that consistently follow a core ideology to better the lives of those around us. We create a warm, family environment while providing exceptional service and a commitment to caring.

• Children's Mercy Hospital

  Every moment with your child is one to cherish. At Children’s Mercy, we fight to give families more of them.

• KVC Kansas - Kansas City Office

  At KVC Kansas, our goal is to enrich and enhance the lives of children and families by providing services in family preservation and reunification, foster care, adoption, behavioral health and more.

• AdventHealth Shawnee Mission

  When you’re in need, AdventHealth Shawnee Mission's expert care teams help heal your body, ease your mind, and lift your spirit.