Celebrate National Children’s Dental Health Month with Adelberg Montalvan

 www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

 

It’s National Children’s Dental Health Month! Each February the American Dental Association (ADA) sponsors National Children's Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. As you know, developing good oral health habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental appointments starts children on a path towards a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums!

This year lets work to Defeat Monster Mouth! The NCDHM campaign features The Plaqster and the effective ways to get his smile back on track.To fight Monster Mouth and promote good oral health our friends follow this simple rule, “2min2x.” That’s code for “brush your teeth two minutes, two times a day.

 

Click here to download ADA’s activity book!

Please remember we are available for FREE school visits and info sessions, as well as welcome any school or scouts field trip to any of our three locations. This is the perfect time to provide students with some essential information and tips to encourage good oral health practices. Give us a call to schedule a visit today.

Celebrate National Brush Day!

 www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

Saturday, November 1st - the day after Halloween, is National Brush Day! A day created to recognize and reiterate the importance of brushing for two minutes, twice a day. 

See below for some videos from 2min2x.org that you can show your children to get them into the habit of brushing their teeth for the full two minutes:

Have your children brush to Finn and Jake from Adventure Time:

 Clarence from Cartoon Network:

Sportacus and Stephanie from Lazy Town:

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dentistry has three Long Island locations. We specialize in caring for children’s teeth in a comfortable and caring environment. Call (516) 798-1111 or visit our website to schedule an appointment.

Thumb Sucking and Pacifiers: Ages 3 - 6 Years Old

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental and Orthodontics

www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

By now, most children have all 20 baby teeth come in. During this time, some kids are still reliant on their pacifiers or sucking their thumbs, a habit that can be hard to break.

Sucking thumbs, pacifiers, other objects, are all natural for babies. Even young children may still turn to this habit when trying to soothe themselves. Usually thumb sucking stops between 2 - 4 years of age, or by the time the adult front teeth are ready to break through the gums. If it does not, the children run the risk of seriously altering their teeth alignment.

So how can you help your child break this habit? Check out these 3 tips, courtesy of 2min2x.org:

• Positive reinforcement - praise your kids for not sucking their thumbs, don't scold them for sucking
• Comfort your child - children often suck their thumbs when they feel insecure or need comfort. Work to find out what is making your child anxious and comfort them
• Involve your child - for the older kids, have them involved in the process of choosing how to stop. Your pediatric dentist can also offer encouragement to your kids and can explain what will happen if they don't stop sucking their thumbs

If the above tips don't work, remind your child of their habit by covering their thumb over night (try bandaging or placing a sock on their hand). You can also talk to your pediatric dentist for additional advice, perhaps a bitter tasting medicine to coat the thumb or the use of a night mouth guard.

Do you have any helpful tips for other parents looking to stop their child's thumb sucking? Share with us on our Facebook page!

Birth - 3 Years Old: Learn About Your Child's Teeth

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental and Orthodontics

www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

Following yesterday's successful Toddler Time at our office, we wanted to share a bit more about what you should know and expect in the early years of your child's life, where oral health is concerned.

The 20 baby teeth that appear in the first 3 years are key for chewing, speaking, and appearance. They also act as space holders in the jaws for upcoming adult teeth. Even though they fall out, these baby teeth are still important and they must be cared for properly to avoid tooth decay.

Yes, baby teeth are at risk for tooth decay! The good news is decay is mostly preventable. It usually begins when cavity-causing bacteria is passed to the child (ex: putting the baby spoon or pacifier in your mouth and then your baby's mouth). It can also happen when your child has frequent or long exposure to liquids that contain sugar.

So make sure you keep your child's gums and teeth clean. Wipe your baby's gums with a clean gauze pad after each feeding and when your child's teeth start coming through, brush their teeth with a pea-sized amount of flouride toothpaste and make sure they spit it out.

Any questions about how to care for your baby's teeth, contact us at any of our offices!

For more tips and information, please visit 2min2x.org