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. 

FAQs: Fluoride

At Adelberg Montalvan, we take great pride in our practice and in educating our patients. We understand that the topic of fluoride may confuse some parents. And with the internet at our finger tips, it’s easy to search and find articles from non-credible sources recommending to steer clear of fluoride use. 
 
But we assure you, as board certified pediatric dental specialists, we follow the strictest of guidelines established by the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry in our fluoride recommendations. 
 
To help shed some light on fluoride, we pulled together some common FAQs parents tend to ask:
What is fluoride?
Fluoride is nature’s cavity fighter. It occurs naturally in varying water sources and certain foods and beverages but the levels vary widely. 
 
Where is fluoride found?
Fluoride can be found naturally in some foods and water and has known to be added to the water supply of certain areas. On Long Island - the water supply is not fluoridated however in New York City and the boroughs, it is. Fluoride is also added to some dental products like toothpaste to help prevent cavities. 
 
How does fluoride protect teeth?
Fluoride has been shown to dramatically decrease a person's chances of getting cavities by making teeth stronger. It also helps stop early stage tooth decay. The fluoride consumed naturally from foods and water, plus fluoridated toothpaste, helps provide topical benefit. The tiny amounts of fluoride becomes part of saliva and helps rebuild weakened tooth enamel. 
 
Why should I use fluoride toothpaste?
Brushing for two minutes, twice daily, helps remove plaque and debris from teeth. But only using fluoride toothpaste will do all that plus strengthen tooth enamel!
 
Should my child use fluoride toothpaste? 
For children younger than 3 years of age, when the first few teeth erupt, begin brushing with a smear (size of a grain of rice) of fluoride toothpaste. For children ages 3 to 6, dispense no more than a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Supervise your children and teach them how to spit out the toothpaste vs. swallowing it. Over the age of 6, ensure the appropriate amount of toothpaste is being used and that they are brushing thoroughly in the morning and at night.
 
I’m nervous to brush my infant’s teeth with fluoride toothpaste - is there another option?
Sure is! Many parents visit our office and wonder what they can be using as a toothpaste for their young child who doesn’t spit out yet.  The good news is there is an alternative for your child that can still provide anti-cavity effects: Xylitol Toothpaste. Xylitol is a natural sweetener found in plants. It is a low glycemic sweetener and even safe for diabetics. It does not break down like sugar and can help keep the saliva in your mouth a more neutral pH level. Xylitol also aids in preventing bacteria from sticking to the teeth.  

If you have additional questions or concerns surrounding fluoride use, we encourage you to give any of our three offices a call. We'd be happy to answer any and all of your questions!

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!

FAQ - Mouthguard Center of Long Island

 www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

 

As you know, we’ve recently announced the addition of the Mouthguard Center in each of our offices. Naturally, there’s been a few common questions that have come up. For our answers to these frequently asked questions, please see below: 

Do we need an appointment?
Yes, please call the office you plan to come in to let them know. These "appointments" are quickly accommodated and shorter than a regular dental visit!

Can we get the impression taken at my child’s hygiene visit?
Of course! If your child is not a regular patient of ours they are still able to receive an impression/mouthguard during their visit.

What’s the price range?
Mouthguard’s are $80+ (depending on specifics). Please keep in mind these mouthguards last longer than store bought and if your child had one made previously they will be less expensive if you have your mold.
Mouthguards should be an extension of your child’s uniform. Much like you purchase appropriate footwear to protect against injuries, mouth guards are necessary in preventing dental injuries AND concussions.

 

Do you offer team discounts?

We do! Please call our offices directly for more information.

 

Can we customize the mouthguard to fit our team’s colors?
Absolutely! Your child will have the opportunity to pick their own colors - whether for their school, intramural. or PAL leagues!

 

How many kinds of mouthguards are there?
There are three main types of mouthguards on the market: custom made, boil and bite/self fit, and stock mouthguards. It’s important to choose a mouthguard that is resilient, comfortable, fits properly, and does not restrict breathing or your child’s speech. Of the three kinds, having an individually designed custom mouthguard provides optimum protection and improved performance. Learn more in our blog post here »

 

What happens if my child loses their mouthguard? Can it be replaced?
You will be given your custom mold to keep. As long as this can be used to re-fabricate the mouthguard, the second one will be done at 50% off.

How do we clean the mouthguard?
When you come in to pick up your mouthguard we will be providing a set of care instructions, but some other tips include:

• Clean your mouthguard by washing it with soap and warm (not hot) water.
• Soak your mouthguard in mouthwash prior to storing.
• Keep your mouthguard in a well-ventilated plastic storage box when not in use. Make sure the box has several holes so the mouthguard will dry.
• Don't leave your mouthguard in direct sunlight or in a closed automobile - heat can cause damage.
• Careful not to bend your mouthguard when storing.
• Don't handle or wear someone else's mouthguard.

Do you still have a question different from the above? Please let us know on our FACEBOOK page - we'll be sure to get back to you!

 

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.