Halloween Candy Safety Tips

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental and Orthodontics

www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

Halloween is just about here and with that we want to talk about some Candy Safety Tips that everyone should follow.

• Instruct your children not to open their candy until they return home
• Inspect all candy for visible signs of tampering before you let your child eat any
• Accept only wrapped and packaged candy
• Do not eat any candy that has been or looks unwrapped or opened
• Avoid chocking hazards such as gum, hard candies, or small toys to young children

And of course, when in doubt.. throw it out!

You may also want to limit the amount of candy your children consume on Halloween night. A good idea is to make sure they eat a filling meal before or after trick or treating depending on the time. Moderation is key in keeping children, and their mouths, healthy for the Halloween holiday.

For more information on how to enjoy a healthy Halloween, see the AAPD's tips for keeping your children's teeth front of mind.

Trick-or-Treating Safety

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental and Orthodontics

www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

For kids (and parents too), Halloween is one of the best night's of the year. But as fun as it is to dress up and go out with friends and family to collect buckets of candy - trick-or-treating can also be dangerous if you aren't careful.

Take a look at some of these vital safety tips before venturing out this Halloween:

Pre-plan Your Route
Whether you are accompanying your kids or they're old enough to go out on their own, planning a route in advance is a big help. Trick or treating can take you several streets away from your house which can lead to sore legs and frustration. Stick to paths you and your child are familiar with to avoid getting lost. If your kids are going out on their own, have them check in regularly, by phone or by stopping back at home and make sure they do not deviate from the preplanned route.

Wear Comfortable Shoes
All that walking requires comfort. Girls should avoid heels to avoid discomfort. Make sure the shoes fit properly and shoelaces are tied as to not trip in the dark.

Hem Your Costume
Speaking of avoiding tripping, long costumes that drag on the ground can be dangerous. Make sure your child tries on the costume and it is at an appropriate length. Cut or hem anything that could make them fall.

Be Seen
Even though Daylight savings isn't until this weekend, it still gets dark pretty early. Apply reflective tape to your child's costume to make sure they are seen by drivers on the road. Carrying a flashlight is another great idea as well.

Make Sure YOU Can See
If a mask must be worn to complete a costume, make sure the holes for the eyes are large enough to clearly see both in front of you and out of the peripherals. You may need to cut the eye holes larger for more visibility. An alternative to a mask is using non-toxic make-up to complete the costume.

Use Flexible Props
If your child's costume involves a weapon, make sure it is rubber or plastic. Choose a prop that won't cause injury to your child or their friends.

Check Your Candy
After a fun night of trick-or-treating, parents be sure to check your child's candy as you sort through at the end of the night. Anything that is not in its original wrapper or looks like it has been opened, throw away. We'll be doing a candy need-to-know post in a few days so stay tuned!

Us here at Adelberg & Montalvan want to wish you and your family a very Happy and SAFE Halloween. Don't forget to bring in your candy from November 1st - 9th to participate in our candy buy back program for the troops!

Spooky Crafts For Kids

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental and Orthodontics

www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

Still looking to keep the kids busy before it's trick or treat time? Get crafty! Make some time for arts and crafts to keep the kids occupied all while creating some new Halloween decor for the home.

See below for some fun, simple crafts any child can do - bonus, most of these items may be in your house already!

 Q-Tip Skeletons
Black Marker • White Paper • Black Construction Paper • Scissors • Q-Tips • Glue
Simply draw a skeleton face on the white paper and cut it out to glue on the black construction paper. Then glue Q-Tips to the black construction paper to make the bones. Use scissors to cut the Q-Tips to make smaller segments like for fingers or toes.

Spirit Jugs
Clean Plastic Gallon Milk Jugs • Black Permanent Marker • Craft Knife • String of 50 Clear Low-wattage Holiday Lights
Draw ghost eyes and mouths on the jugs. Then, parents, cut a half dollar size hole in the back of each jug for the lights. Arrange the jugs near each other and string the lights between them, stuffing a few bulbs into each jug. Don't have holiday lights? Battery operate votive candles or glow sticks are great alternatives!

Glass Jar Jack-o-Lanterns
Empty Glass Jar • Masking Tape • Orange Paint • Paint Brush • Candle
Remove the label from the jar and clean it thoroughly. Once dry, cut out shapes from the masking tape to make eyes, nose and mouth. Stick them on the jar as you'd like the face of the jack-o-lantern to be. Paint over the masking tape with the orange paint and then allow the paint to dry. Finally, remove the masking tape and light a candle inside the jar.

Paper Cup Ghosts
White Paper Cups • White Streamers • Clear Tape • Black Marker • Scissors • White String
Draw a face on the cup (upside down) with the black marker. Then cut streamers to 6-inch lengths and tape them to the inside of the cup (shreds of toilet paper can be an alternative if you don't have streamers lying around). Poke a hole through the bottom of the cup and thread some string through the slit. Tie a knot in the string so it stays in place and then hang your new ghost in a doorway or from the ceiling.

Have any other DIY Halloween crafts? Share with us on our Facebook page!

Web Sources:
SheKnows
Spoonful

Participate in our Candy 'Buy Back' Program!

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental and Orthodontics

www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

Special announcement! Our offices will be doing a candy 'buy back' program in order to donate Halloween candy to the troops! We are giving out 1 raffle ticket per pound of candy which will enter you in the contest for a $25 gift card to the movies.

So try not to let your kids overload on sweets this Halloween and instead bring some in from November 1st - 9th to enter the raffle. Not sure which candy you should keep and which candy you should donate? See our list below for the best and the worst treats:

The Good:

• Plain chocolate is actually one of the best candies kids can treat themselves to on Halloween. It melts quickly and decreases the amount of time sugar is in contact with your teeth.
• Sugar free gum is great for kids to have after eating, it increases saliva which then works to wash the teeth and neutralize some of the acid produced by bacteria.

Be cautious of:

• Sugar filled candies - pixie stixs, fun dip, nerds, smarties, candy corn, etc. These all contain a high amount of sugar which can cause tooth decay.
• Sticky sweets - taffy, gummy candies, jelly beans. These all get stuck in the crevices between the teeth making it hard for saliva to wash away.
• Sour candies - sour patch kids. These candies have a higher acidic content, which can break down tooth enamel.

No matter what candy your kids decide to indulge in, make sure they rinse with water and brush after consumption. And remember - a proper oral routine makes sure the occasional sweets don't do any harm!

Halloween Fun This Weekend

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental and Orthodontics

www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

There's no reason to wait until All Hallow's Eve to have some Halloween fun! Enjoy this beautiful Fall weekend with the family and head out to one of the many Halloween events the Island has to offer:

RISE of the Jack O' Lanterns
Old Westbury Gardens: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury NY 11568
Fri - Sun, 7 - 10:30pm
Cost: $12-$20
Over 5,000 hand carved and illuminated Jack O’Lanterns light up the night, features the work of dozens of local artists and sculptors in a outdoor walk through experience, suitable for all ages, rain or shine! Tickets must be bought in advance.

Spooky Fest - The Woods are Haunted!
1 Tanglewood Road, Rockville Centre NY 11570
Fri - Sun, 6:30 - 9:30 pm
Cost: Kids 12 and under - $10; Ages 13 and older - $15
CSTL's 5th Annual Spooky Fest is bigger than ever! Admission includes: a scary walk in the woods, the mystic den, a not-so-spooky walk in the woods, kids' craft area, live animals exhibit, and goody-bags for the first 200 children each night!

Scary Walk 4 Autism
Darkside Haunted House: 5184 Route 25A, Wading River NY 11933
Saturday, 1 - 5pm
Cost: $5
Children’s Halloween party, scary walk including an inflatable slide, bouncer, obstacle course inflatable, popcorn machine, proceeds benefit Justice 4 Autism, rain date Oct 20

Haunted Trail of Horrors
Middle Island Fire Department: 31 Arnold Dr., Middle Island NY 11953
Fri & Sat, 7:30 - 10:30pm
Cost: $10, Kids 7 and under are free
Middle Island Fire Department's 5th Annual Haunted Trail of Horrors! Follow a haunted trail - proceeds benefit the firehouse.

Let us know what your favorite Halloween spook walks are your favorite on our Facebook page!

Image Source: RISE of the Jack O'Lanterns

Children - Pre-teens: Need to Knows About Your Child's Smile

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental and Orthodontics

www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

From ages 6 - 12, children begin to lose their baby teeth and their adult teeth start to appear. So what does that mean? 

 
We've already discussed your child's smile from birth - 3 years old and 3 - 6 years old. So we're continuing our timeline and giving you some need to knows about your kid's oral health during their late childhood years.

 
See below for some age specific concerns and tips:

• Establish your pediatric dentist early and stick to regular checkups. The more comfortable your child is with their dental team, the more likely they'll keep up with their oral health care.
• Make sure that your kids get the fluoride they need. Discuss your kids’ specific fluoride needs with your dentist or pediatrician.
• Help your child brush their teeth until they can do so by themselves (usually around age 8). Then it's important to supervise and make sure they brush thoroughly 2min2x and spit out the toothpaste afterward.
• Encourage healthy eating habits! This includes a diet with plenty of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.
• Orthodontic evaluations should happen by age 7. At this early age, orthodontic treatment may not be necessary, but vigilant examination can anticipate the most advantageous time to begin treatment.
• Make sure your child athletes are prepared - buy them a mouth-guard if they are participating in sports!

  If you have any questions, let us know! Share with us on Facebook or give us a call.

Healthy Halloween Treats for Kids!

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental and Orthodontics

www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

Halloween doesn't only need to be candy focused, seasonal treats can actually have some nutritional value too! Looking for some inspiration? We found a bunch of cute and yummy recipes on Pinterest and here as well. 

So try making some of these quick, healthy snacks this month for your little ghouls and goblins: 

Have any spooky treats you make with your kids? Share with us on our Facebook page! 

Adelberg Montalvan Has Gone PINK

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental and Orthodontics

www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

In addition to Orthodontic Health Month, Dental Hygiene Month, Pumpkin Carving, Halloween Fun, Fall leaves, and everything else October has to offer, it is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It's important we take the time and effort to help spread awareness to save more lives of women around the world. 

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. Did you know you may be 11 times more likely to develop breast cancer if you have poor oral health or gum disease? (Total Health)

In general, gum disease causes inflammation, a marker for generalized ill-health. The inflammation is due to bacteria that forms plaque on the gums and teeth. This same bacteria can result in the Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegatocirus - both of which can contribute to the incidence of breast cancer.

This is why regular dental visits are important to monitor the health and condition of your teeth and gums.

 

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month we have "Gone Pink" at all of our locations. We are using disposable 'pink' products to support Breast Cancer Awareness and research with some of the cost of the items being donated to Susan G Komen.

So to all the survivors and fighters, we are with you!

 

How are you helping spread awareness? Share with us on our Facebook page!

 

Image Source: Google / Susan G. Komen

 

 

October is National Orthodontic Health Month!

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental and Orthodontics

www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

Leaves are changing color, temperatures are getting cooler, and our little ghouls and goblins are getting ready for Halloween! But did you know that October is also National Orthodontic Health Month?

In a month full of hard, sticky, crunch, and chewy treats - it's more important than ever to encourage everyone to take proper care of their teeth, especially those going through orthodontic treatment.

So if your children have braces, beware of these treats this Halloween season:

• Caramel
• Popcorn
• Taffy
• Licorice
• Bubblegum

We know that Halloween is filled with sugary sweets so as always please encourage your children to brush and floss after consumption! Sweets lead to cavities and certain candies can lead to damaged braces, we wouldn't want that to happen!

And in honor of National Orthodontic Health Month, our Massapequa Park and Nesconset locations are offering FREE orthodontic consultations. Be sure to call either office anytime this month for  a complimentary consultation for your child!

Massapequa Park Office
1000 F. Park Blvd.
Massapequa Park, NY 11762
(516) 798-1111

Nesconset Office
62 Lake Ave., Suite A
Nesconset, NY 11767
(631) 360-7337

Image Source: AAOInfo.org