Litza Al-Abdullah

Mom and Dentist | Clinician by training | Skeptic by necessity | Health is nuanced

[Litza Al-Abdullah @LitzaAlAbdullah]

@SydneyLWatson The absolute worst

[Litza Al-Abdullah @LitzaAlAbdullah]

@DrAlmarielao Can confirm this has happened to us in Miami.

[Litza Al-Abdullah @LitzaAlAbdullah]

I’m in awe of people who say they can cook 30 minute meals every day because what in the world are you cooking that only takes 30 minutes?

[Litza Al-Abdullah @LitzaAlAbdullah]

Most dental offices should have intraoral cameras in today’s day and age.

That being said, if you have a dental appointment please request photos of your teeth.

It’s a great way to monitor and document.

[Litza Al-Abdullah @LitzaAlAbdullah]

A friend asked me for a second opinion on her treatment plan.

Out of four recommendations, I agree with one.

Still waiting on photos.

So much gray area in dentistry.

And too often, the least conservative path is the one chosen.

Sometimes less is more.

[Litza Al-Abdullah @LitzaAlAbdullah]

The idea that baby teeth don’t matter is wrong.

They hold space for adult teeth.

Early loss lets teeth move where they shouldn’t.

You don’t just lose a tooth.

[Litza Al-Abdullah @LitzaAlAbdullah]

The small, even imperfect things we do for our kids quietly shape what they carry for life.

[Litza Al-Abdullah @LitzaAlAbdullah]

True story.

When I was little and too tired to get up, my mom would bring a pan, a toothbrush, and brush my teeth in bed.

Was it perfect technique? Probably not.

But it drilled in one belief early. Teeth matter.

Brushing is non negotiable.

[Litza Al-Abdullah @LitzaAlAbdullah]

Some things can go subtly wrong even when everything looks good.

Those steps don’t show up on an xray.

Looking right doesn’t always mean functioning right.

[Litza Al-Abdullah @LitzaAlAbdullah]

I saw a patient whose filling had been redone more than once.

The work looked great. The dentists were good.

She still couldn’t chew without pain.

I redid it once, going back to basics and being meticulous with the bonding step so nothing pooled before curing.

Pain resolved.

[Litza Al-Abdullah @LitzaAlAbdullah]

Consistency matters more than perfection.

Toddlers will miss brushing sometimes.

Travel, caregivers, life.

A few imperfect days won’t ruin teeth.

The pattern is what counts.

[Litza Al-Abdullah @LitzaAlAbdullah]

Most dentists don’t have veneers.

Wonder why?

Because they know once you drill a healthy tooth, you’re signing up for replacements forever.

I’m not saying they don’t have a place and time…

But I encourage you to embrace your beautiful and unique smile =)

[Litza Al-Abdullah @LitzaAlAbdullah]

“You’re not producing enough.”
I heard that constantly.

When production drives dentistry, overtreatment can start to feel normal.

Not everywhere.
But systems shape behavior.

Slow down. Ask questions.
There’s no undo once a tooth is treated.

The best dentistry is NO dentistry.

[Litza Al-Abdullah @LitzaAlAbdullah]

When adults talk about dental trauma, it’s almost always from invasive dental work.

I’ve never heard “My mom made me brush my teeth.”

Prevention early prevents trauma later.

So brush and floss your kids!

[Litza Al-Abdullah @LitzaAlAbdullah]

Make sure you’re getting treated by the healing department not the billing department.

[Litza Al-Abdullah @LitzaAlAbdullah]

Fun fact:

Toasted bread can be harder on kids’ teeth than soft bread.

Dry foods stick longer and clear less easily.

Texture matters!

[Litza Al-Abdullah @LitzaAlAbdullah]

For toddlers, mechanics > toothpaste. Daily, thorough brushing across all tooth surfaces and the gumline does most of the work.

[Litza Al-Abdullah @LitzaAlAbdullah]

Your toddler crying during brushing isn’t ideal.
But cavities, pain, and extractions under anesthesia are worse.
Gentle, consistent brushing + repair now prevents bigger trauma later.

[Litza Al-Abdullah @LitzaAlAbdullah]

@InternetH0F Sweet angel 🥲

[Litza Al-Abdullah @LitzaAlAbdullah]

@charliehoehn Wayne Dyer- one of the greats!