Fourth of July Weekend Events on Long Island

Fourth of July weekend is here! Whether you plan on watching a dazzling fireworks show or heading down to the beach, there are endless ways to celebrate here on Long Island. Here are a few of our favorite events happening this weekend.

Fourth of July Weekend Events:

Long Island Ducks Postgame Fireworks
(~18 minutes from our Nesconset location)
The Long Island Ducks are celebrating the Fourth of July with four nights of fireworks! Head over to the stadium for baseball fun -- the fireworks are FREE with your game ticket purchase.

Get Crafty at Home Depot
Home Depot stores across Long Island are hosting FREE kids workshops! Kids get to learn DIY skills and tool safety while creating a fun project. Learn more about the workshops on their website.

TD Bank's Celebrate America Fireworks Show
(~20 minutes from our Massapequa Park location)
TD Bank is sponsoring the "Celebrate America" fireworks show at the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre this year. There will be live music starting at 6PM with beautiful fireworks displays after dark at 9:30PM. While there are tickets required for admission to the Theatre, they are free of charge and any be picked up at any TD Bank on Long Island!

Fireworks at Riverhead Raceway
(~35 minutes from our Nesconset location)
Head over to the Riverhead Raceway for an Independence Day celebration. In addition to the demolition derby, there will be a firework display on Saturday, July 2nd at 9PM.

Chromatography Fireworks
(~20 minutes from our Nesconset location)
Celebration our nation's birthday while creating your very own sparkler bouquet at the Maritime Explorium. The Crafty event is $5 per person, and free for members. You can head over from 1PM to 5PM Saturday & Sunday.

How to Break the Thumbsucking Habit

Does your child suck on his or her thumb? This isn’t uncommon for younger children. In fact, for many infants, it’s a relaxing way to self-soothe or fall asleep. However, if thumbsucking continues after a child’s baby teeth have fallen out, problems can develop when the permanent teeth grow in, including overbites and speech problems. These tips will help you break your child’s habit early on.

How to Break the thumb Habit:

• Give Them Praise - Let your child know when they’re not sucking their thumb. This positive reinforcement can be a lot more effective than scolding them when they are.
• Keep Them Calm - Many children still suck their thumbs because they are anxious or nervous. Finding out what it causing your child to feel stressed can help them break the habit.
• Talk to Them - Don’t be afraid to talk to your child about why thumbsucking is bad for them. While this alone isn’t likely to break the habit, it can help your child understand why it’s important for them to stop.
• Reward Them - Create a progress chart for your child. At the end of each week, offer a fun prize for no sucking. Just make sure that your child is actively involved in the decisions. Try deciding together how many slip-ups they’re allowed each week — and let them choose the type of stickers they want to put on the chart.

If you’re still having trouble getting your child to break the habit, give us a call! We can help you find the right solution to solve your child’s thumbsucking habit.

Kick Off the Summer with These Weekend Events on Long Island

Summer is officially here! Do you know how you will be kicking off the longest weekend of the year? Here on Long Island, summer is a season full of a ton of fun, outdoor activities for the whole family. These are just a few of the seasonal events happening this weekend that you’ll want to add to your calendar.

Town of Babylon Summer Concert Series Kickoff!

(~20 minutes from our West Islip & Massapequa Park offices)

Bring your kids down to Tanner Park for an evening full of fun, music and time spent outdoors. The concert is free, and during this year’s event — the Town of Babylon Food Pantry will be collecting non-perishable food items.

Westbury Market Fair & Flea Market

(~25 minutes from our Massapequa Park office)

Head over to NYCB Theatre for the Westbury Market Fair & Flea Market. This street fair will have crafts and unique vendors to browse. The event runs every Saturday and Sunday through the end of July.

Celebrate International Mud Day!

(~13 minutes from our Nesconset office)

Do your kids love to get muddy? Celebrate International Mud Day at Sweetbriar Nature Center! Kids can play in water, mud and other messy things! The event is $10 per child and $5 per adult. Learn more on their website!

Attend Long Island FunFest

(~25 minutes from our West Islip office)

Kick off the summer at the Long Island FunFest! There will be live music, games, rides, a petting zoo — and even Grucci fireworks on Saturday after dark! Learn more and print coupons for the event on their website.

Watch a Movie at the Beach

(~30 minutes from our Massapequa Park location)

Watch Mama Mia! under the stars, by the ocean,  in Long Beach! Bring a beach chair, a blanket and a snack and watch this free movie at the beach.

The Best Summer Snacks for Healthy Teeth

Summer is here! We’re ready for summer BBQs, picnics and trips to the beach, are you? Although we love the warm months, they are often also a time when indulge in sweet treats.

Fortunately, there are ways to enjoy the summer and keep your teeth healthy — even at summer get togethers. Here are a few of our favorite summer snacks that aren’t just delicious — they’re good for your teeth, too!

Summer Snacks for Healthy Teeth:

Say Cheese

Cheese is low in sugar and rich in calcium and phosphorous. The combination helps strengthen and protect your tooth enamel. Whether you’re adding it to your burger or you’re indulging in a cheese platter, you’re strengthening your teeth!

Serve Crunchy Fruits

Pack your summer fruit salads full of crunchy fruits like grapes and seedless watermelon! Not only are these full of juices that keep you hydrated, but the extra crunch can help other foods from getting stuck in your teeth.

Fresh Salads

Add fibrous, crunchy vegetables like celery to your next summer salad. These vegetables naturally clean your teeth as you chew!

Fruit Infused Water

Stay away from sugary sodas and concentrated juices and make your own refreshing summer drink! Add a few slices of lemon or lime to your water, or get creative with berries and other flavorful fruits! However — remember that water is truly the best way to stay hydrated on a hot summer day.

If you have any questions about how to care for your child’s smile health — or it’s time to schedule their next bi-annual cleaning & exam, do not hesitate to reach out to one of our offices.

Tooth-Friendly Camping Tips for National Camping Month

It’s National Camping Month!

With the school year quickly coming to an end, many families will be looking for ways to get back to nature and spend time outdoors. However, even if you are “roughing it,” you will want to make sure that you are getting the oral health care that you need! Here are a few tips to help your teeth clean and healthy while camping this summer.

Camping Tips:

• Find a Bathroom (if there is one)- If you want to enjoy the wilderness, but still want a few amenities — choose a campground with a bathroom! There will be plenty of running water for you to brush your teeth for two minutes, two times a day.
• Bring a Water Jug - If you aren’t going to be near a bathroom with running water, be sure to bring plenty of water with you — and an extra jug for cleaning your teeth and washing dishes!
• Keep Your Toothbrush & Toothpaste Sealed Tight - The minty smell in most toothpastes and mouthwashes can attract unwanted animals — like bears. Make sure you store your toothpaste in a well-sealed container.
• Brush Your Teeth Away from the Campsite - You will also want to brush your teeth away from the campsite. As with storing your toothpaste, you don’t want to attract animals close to your camp.

If you have any questions about how to care for your child’s smile health — or it’s time to schedule their next bi-annual cleaning & exam, do not hesitate to reach out to one of our offices.

Protect Your Teeth with Mouth Guards During Summer Sports

Beautiful days like today are perfect for playing summer sports — but if you plan on heading outside, you’ll want to make sure that you have the proper protection. In addition to helmets, knee pads, and sunscreen, you’ll want to make sure that you protect your teeth, too. Here are a few summer sports you’ll want to make sure that your child is wearing a mouth guard for.

Wear Mouth Guards During These Summer Sports:

• Beach Volleyball - Although beach volleyball is played in the sand, you’ll want to make sure that you mouth is protected from unexpected spikes.
• Baseball/Softball - While this is not a contact sport, you want your teeth to be protected in case you are hit by a stray ball.
• Horseback Riding - In addition to wearing protective riding gear, you’ll want to make sure that your teeth are protected.
• Bicycling - Even careful bicycle riders can hit unexpected bumps in the road! Be careful when riding and wear a mouth guard to help protect your teeth.
• Skateboarding - Just like with bicycling, you’ll want to make sure that you are prepared for unexpected cracks and bumps in the pavement.

While there are store brand mouth guards on the market, custom mouth guards will provide your child with a better fit. Custom mouth guards will fully protect their lips, gums, teeth and arches — and they will be more comfortable when worn. This means that your child will be more likely to wear their mouth guard for comfort and protection when playing their favorite summer sport.

If you have any questions about how to care for your teeth this summer, do not hesitate to reach out to our office. We are here to help your little ones keep their teeth healthy year-round.

Massapequa Park: 56-798-1111

Nesconset: 631-360-7337

West Islip: 631-661-7337

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

As careful as we are, any parent knows that accidents happen. That’s why it’s so important to know what to do when a dental emergency occurs. It could be mean the difference between saving and losing a tooth! These are a few of the most common dental emergencies that kids (and often adults) experience — and what you can do.

Common Dental Emergencies:

• Tooth Ache
• Broken Tooth
• Knocked Out Tooth
• Bleeding After Baby Tooth Falls Out
• Cut Cheek, Tongue or Lip
• Broken Jaw
• Canker Sore
• Cold Sore

So, what do you do if your child experiences one of these dental emergencies? Here are a few steps to follow:

1. Check for Bleeding - You will want to treat a dental injury just like you would a scraped knee. Check for any bleeding, apply pressure, and clean the wound if needed.
2. Assess the Damage - Take a step back and assess the severity of your child’s injury. If an adult or permanent tooth has been knocked out, be careful not to touch the root, and place the tooth back in your child’s mouth.
3. Give Us a Call - After you child experiences a dental emergency, you’ll want to schedule a visit to the dentist as soon as possible. It is important to consult a dentist even if the injuries aren’t severe, to make sure that the teeth haven’t been damaged or loosened.

In the event of a dental emergency, please call one of our offices below. During our hours, your child will be seen that day. We also have after hours with a doctor on call. You will speak to a doctor, not a call service.

Massapequa Park: 56-798-1111

Nesconset: 631-360-7337

West Islip: 631-661-7337

What Are the Benefits to Choosing Invisalign?

Invisalign® aligners are one of the best ways to cosmetically improve your smile alignment. They are custom designed for your dental needs and allow you to improve your smile without traditional metal orthodontic braces. But are they the right choice for you? Here are a few of the benefits to choosing Invisalign® aligners.

Invisalign® Benefits:

They are custom designed for your smile.

Invisalign® aligners are custom designed for your unique smile. Your orthodontist will be able to create a series of aligners that are custom crafted for your smile goals. Over time, these aligners will gradually align your smile.

They are practically invisible.

One of the main benefits to choosing Invisalign® aligners is that they are nearly invisible when placed over your teeth. You don’t have to worry about others noticing when you are wearing them in person or in photos.

They are removable.

Unlike with traditional braces, Invisalign® aligners are completely removable. They can and should be removed when eating and brushing your teeth — which means that you don’t have to alter your habits when aligning your smile.

If you are interested in learning more about whether or not Invisalign® is the right orthodontic choice for your smile needs, do not hesitate to contact our office. We can help you determine how to improve your smile during a consultation. We are happy to answer any questions that you may have about our West Islip, Massapequa Park or Nesconset locations.