National Dental Hygiene Month FAQs

The month of October is National Dental Hygiene Month, which means it’s the perfect time to teach your child about dental hygiene -- and how a good dental care routine now will last throughout adult years later.

Here are the top pediatric dental hygiene questions, answered, so you and your child can feel confident with their oral care now and in the future.

What is the best way to brush your teeth?

• Use a toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums.
• Brush the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces of the teeth.
• Brush in gentle up-and-down strokes to clean the inside of the teeth.
• To remove bacteria and freshen your breath, don’t forget to brush your tongue!

Need help getting your little ones to clean their chompers? Check out our tips and tricks here.

Is fluoride good or bad for children?
Too little or too much fluoride can both affect your child. Little to no fluoride will not help strengthen the teeth to fight against cavities. On the other hand, excessive fluoride can lead to dental fluorosis, which is a chalky white to brown discoloration of the permanent teeth.
TIP: Make sure your child uses the proper amount of fluoride toothpaste while brushing.
 
What is the right amount of fluoride for my child?
Fluoride has been shown to dramatically decrease a person's chances of getting cavities by making teeth stronger! As such, we recommend using fluoride toothpaste. If your child is younger than 3 years old, brush their teeth with an amount of fluoride toothpaste no larger than a grain of rice. Children, ages 3 to 6, should brush their teeth with a pea-sized amount. Once children are over the age of 6, ensure they are using fluoride properly and maintaining their dental care routine daily.
TIP: Teach your children right away how to spit out toothpaste rather than swallowing it.
 
How can I get rid of bad breath?
Halitosis, better known as bad breath, is caused by poor dental hygiene and plaque buildup. Remind your child to brush twice daily, floss, and rinse thoroughly in order to keep those mouth monsters away! 

When should I take my child to the dentist?
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the first visit to the dentist should be by your child’s first birthday. After that, depending on the child, you should schedule follow-up visits with your dentist every six months. This allows you to have peace of mind knowing that your child’s teeth are developing properly with a clean dental bill-of-health! 

To help your child maintain a healthy smile, make sure they keep up with their daily oral hygiene routine -- and, don’t forget to schedule your next appointment with the professionals at Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dentistry. We have three Long Island locations that specialize in caring for children’s teeth in a comfortable and caring environment. 

Common Questions About Going to the Dentist

 www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

 

Regardless of your age, your oral health is important. As we recently pointed out, last year alone roughly 31% of parents said their kids missed school due to dental issues. Not to mention the some 100 million Americans in general who skip on their dental visits.

Regular examinations and good oral hygiene are key in preventing most dental diseases. Still wondering why regular visits matter? See below for the answer to that, plus some other frequently asked questions:

Why do regular dental visits matter? Dental appointments can help spot problems early on, when treatment is likely to be easier and more affordable. Not only that, but they will help problems from developing in the first place.

What are some signs one should see the dentist? Your teeth are sensitive to hot or cold; Your gums are puffy, irritated, or bleed when you brush or floss; your mouth is often dry; you have fillings, crowns, dental implants, dentures, etc.; you have difficulty swallowing or chewing. (more »)

I’m not having any symptoms, do I still need to visit the dentist? In short - yes. As mentioned above, dental appointments help diagnose problems that only the dentist can see early on. It’s also important to keep your dentist informed of any changes to your health as certain medical conditions can play a role in your dental health as well.

How do I find a dentist? Feel free to ask your friends, family, or co-workers for recommendations. Your family physician may also have someone in mind. The American Dental Association also offers a ‘Find-a-Dentist’ tool for dentists available in your area for even more help! 

 

For more frequently asked questions surrounding going to the dentist, visit Mouth Healthy's full article »

At Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental our purpose is to provide exceptional mental and dental care that can impact your child’s life forever.  Our practice has been providing excellent pediatric dentistry to children of Long Island for over 14 years.

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental FAQs

 www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

You've probably heard that brushing and flossing twice a day is recommended, but what other pediatric dentistry facts are you sure of? Since we bet you'd like to be more familiar with what your child experiences during their early years, we put together the following FAQs to answer some of your most pressing questions:

When do the first teeth start to erupt?
At about 6 months, the two lower front teeth (central incisors) will erupt, followed shortly by the two upper central incisors. The remainder of the baby teeth appear during the next 18 to 24 months but not necessarily in an orderly sequence from front to back. At 2 to 3 years, all of these 20 primary teeth should be present.

How should I clean my baby's teeth?
A toothbrush with soft bristles and a small head, especially one designed for infants, is the best choice for infants. Brushing at least once a day, at bedtime, will remove plaque bacteria that can lead to decay.

How can I help my child through the teething stage?
Sore gums when teeth erupt are part of the normal eruption process. The discomfort is eased for some children by use of a teething biscuit, a piece of toast or a frozen teething ring. Your pharmacy should also have medications that can be rubbed on the gums to reduce the discomfort.

Why should my child see a pediatric dentist instead of our regular family dentist?
Pediatric dentistry is a dental specialty that focuses on the oral health of young people. Following dental school, a pediatric dentist has two to three years additional specialty training in the unique needs of infants, children and adolescents, including those with special health needs.

When should my child start using toothpaste?
Do not use fluoridated toothpaste until age 3. Earlier than that, clean your child's teeth with water and a soft-bristled toothbrush. After age 3, parents should supervise brushing. Use no more than a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and make sure children do not swallow excess toothpaste.

If my child gets a toothache, what should I do?
To comfort your child, rinse his/her mouth with warm salt water and apply a cold compress or ice wrapped in a cloth on your child's face if it is swollen. Do not put heat or aspirin on the sore area, but you may give the child acetaminophen for pain. See us as soon as possible.

For more of our frequently asked questions, please visit our website! Is there something we missed? Let us know on our Facebook page, perhaps the rest of the Adelberg Montalvan community is curious as well!