Ask Drs. Kunkel and Matousek-Ronck: When is thumb-sucking a cause for worry?

Lots of you parents at our Neosho and Pineville offices have asked us about whether it’s healthy for children to suck thumbs (or, less frequently, fingers). If you’ve got a thumb-sucker in the house, you are not alone. Research tells us that between 75- and 95 percent of infants suck their thumbs.

So, you might be wondering, is this anything to worry about?

In most cases, no. Sucking is a natural reflex for an infant, and can provide security and contentment as well as relaxation for your little ones. It’s a habit that most children grow out of between the ages of 2 and 4.

However, if your child keeps sucking after he or she has gotten permanent teeth, it’s time to take a closer look. If your child sucks his thumb aggressively, putting pressure on the inside of his mouth or his teeth, it could cause problems with tooth alignment and proper mouth growth. If you’re worried, please give us a call and Drs. Kunkel and Matousek-Ronck will help assess the situation, and provide tips for how to help your child break the habit.

Enjoy your Sunday everyone!

Invisalign treatment at Four States Dental Care: How does it really work? [Video]

Perhaps you've wondered how Invisalign treatment at Four States Dental Care manages to straighten your pearly whites without having you go through traditional orthodontic treatment?

The Invisalign system is a state-of-the-art system of clear, removable aligners that we proudly offer at our Neosho and Pineville locations. Drs. Dale Kunkel and Jennifer Matousek-Ronck are Certified Invisalign® Providers, offering Invisalign for teens and adults. If you've been wanting to straighten your teeth but are unsure about going through traditional braces, please give us a call to learn if Invisalign is the right option for you! We will provide a complimentary consultation.

Share your summer plans with Dr. Kunkel and Four States Dental Care!

With the summer quickly closing in, the days getting longer and the sun getting warmer, there’s no better way to beat the heat than jump into a pool or cool off under the shade with a beverage. For a lot of our patients at Four States Dental Care, summer brings with it a chance to get away from it all and escape everyday life, if only for a week or two. For others, it means a season of relaxation and relief.

How about you?

What are your summer plans? Do you have any interesting plans for a summer vacation? Does your family have a reunion planned? Our staff would be interested in how you are all spending your summer vacations. If you’re going somewhere exotic, cool! If you're going camping with family, we'd like to hear about it! Even if you're staying at home here in Pineville or Neosho and grilling steaks in the backyard, let us know!

Please feel free to share your summer plans and experiences with Drs. Kunkel and Matousek-Ronck on our Facebook page as the summer rolls on!

At Four States Dental Care, access to your account anytime!

Access to your account, whenever you want it. Sounds nice and convenient, doesn’t it?

Patients at Four States Dental Care enjoy access to their account 24 hours a day, seven days a week—all through our web site. You may look up your appointments and all of your account details at your convenience, and all from the comfort of your own home! You can even receive appointment reminders through email or text messages! Just see what some of our patients are saying about this innovative service called DentalSesame:

"It is much more efficient to use than having to stop by the dental office or calling since my schedule is very busy." ~ Kayla W.

"Easy to view account." ~ James G.

"I am able to find the information that I am looking for by going to my daughters account. What I owe, when her next appointment is, etc." ~ Thayla K.

"Easy availability, allows access from home or work." ~ Nora G.

"Allowed me to see insurance payments and remaining balance to be paid and print forms for flex spending." ~ Brandi M.

You, too, can sign up for this convenient service on our web site by clicking on the "Patient Login" button at the top of our homepage. Please give us a call if you have any questions about getting started!