Tips for Kicking Thumb Sucking to the Curb

Thumb sucking is not an unusual habit for babies, toddlers, and young children. In fact, according to the American Dental Association, children can begin their thumb sucking habits as early as in the womb --Woah!

And, children usually stop sucking their thumb on their own between ages 2 and 4. --Whew!

However, if continued, this habit can lead to many consequences including serious dental problems. Listed below are steps you can take to help your child kick thumb sucking to the curb!

Identify the Trigger

Children who suck their thumbs often do so when they’re feeling stressed, upset, hungry, or bored. Once you are able to identify which situations set off your child’s habit you can quickly intervene and slowly eliminate the triggers. 

Positive Reward System

During reading time, did your child keep their thumb out of their mouth? How about when they were playing at the park? Or running an errand with you? Don’t let the small things go unnoticed - a small reward can help the good habit become long-lasting! 

Show and Tell

(Open wide and say “cheeeese”) Compare your mouth with your child’s and point out the pretty smile they can get if they stop sucking their thumb. You can also show them pictures of their favorite cartoon or disney princess’ smiles.

Thumb Time Break

When you see your child is about to put their thumb in their mouth, distract them. Give them an indoor/outdoor activity or a stuffed animal to hold - anything to keep their hands busy!

Time to Talk

One of the best things you can do is speak to your child about why it is important to stop thumb sucking. Remind them you are there to help every step of the way!

Have any of these tips helped your child break their thumb sucking habits? Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter and let us know! 

If you have any questions about how to improve your child's oral health please give our offices a call. 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.

3 Benefits of Chewing Sugar-Free Gum

 

 

While brushing for two minutes, twice daily, and flossing regularly is still the best defense in the fight against tooth decay - you may find it surprising that one "bad habit" is also good for your teeth.

While chewing gum helps freshen breath - choosing a sugar-free gum actually yields some major tooth benefits! 

1. Prevents Cavities. Did you know that clinical studies have shown that chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes after eating can help prevent tooth decay? That’s because chewing gum increases the amount of saliva in your mouth. Saliva not only helps wash away food and debris caught between teeth, but it also helps to neutralize plaque acid.

2. Strengthens Tooth Enamel. Saliva also contains additional calcium and phosphate which helps to strengthen tooth enamel! And if you choose a sugarless gum sweetened with xylitol - an all natural sweetener derived from the fibrous parts of plants - you’ll keep your mouth a more neutral pH, which keeps tooth enamel healthy. 

3. Reduces Dry Mouth. While more common in adults, dry mouth does affect men and women of all ages. And even though there are a variety of treatments for this problem, the goal in all is almost always to increase salivary flow. One of the simplest ways to do this - as you may guess from above, is to chew sugar-free gum.  Chewing sugar-free gum causes your mouth to increase the production of saliva by 10 times the normal rate! 

Next time you purchase sugar-free gum from the store, look for those with the ADA seal on the package to guarantee it’s sugarless. 

For more tips on how to keep teeth healthy - give us a call! 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. We have three locations: Nesconset, Massapequa Park, and West Islip.

Caring For Tiny Teeth

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When teeth and gums are cared for at an early age, they are less likely to suffer dental health problems down the line. To ensure your little ones have happy and healthy smiles through their early years - follow our tips for caring for tiny teeth below:

Don’t Delay Dental Care - Even if teeth haven’t reached the surface yet, oral care should start immediately. Clean any and all objects that may find their way into your child’s mouth to prevent the spread of bacteria. You’ll also want to start caring for your baby’s gums twice a day or after feedings. Take a soft, moistened washcloth or piece of gauze and gently wipe down the gums.

Brush Early - Spot a tooth breaking through? Hooray! Time to invest in baby’s first brush. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush with water. After age 3, use no more than a pea-sized amount of toothpaste to make sure children do not swallow excess toothpaste. 

Introduce Fluoride Appropriately - Fluoride can be harmful to infants and as such should not be introduced to them until age 3. Even at this age, only a small amount of fluoride should be used. 

Schedule Your Child’s First Dental Visit - Once their first birthday rolls around, it’s time to schedule that first visit with us! This helps us get them on a path to a lifetime of great oral health!

 

If you have any questions about your child’s teeth, give one of our offices a call! We specialize in caring for children’s teeth in a comfortable and caring environment, in three different Long Island locations. Call (516) 798-1111 or visit our website to schedule an appointment. Don't forget to LIKE us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter for updates and industry news! 

Spring Cleaning - Oral Health Edition

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Spring cleaning - a time for decluttering the home, donating old clothes, and taking care of the seasonal outdoor chores. It’s also the perfect time to improve your dental health routine! 

In honor of tomorrow being the first day of Spring (minus the winter weather on the forecast), we wanted to help you brush up on some ways to not only spring clean your mouth, but your family’s as well:

• Out with the old in with the new - When was the last time your household replaced their toothbrushes? If you’re struggling to remember it’s most certainly time. For a general rule of thumb, replace your toothbrush every 3 months.
• Brush and floss regularly - Perhaps a New Year’s resolution was to stick to brushing and flossing regularly, and perhaps now you’ve slipped out of these good habits. Re-establish these habits now that the new season has arrived! Try keeping a travel toothbrush on hand (purse or car) to remind yourself to brush after a healthy lunch or a late breakfast. Add flossing to your nightly routine since during sleep, less saliva is produced to naturally clean the mouth, thus leaving bacteria to roam free and do some damage.
• Schedule an appointment with us - Regular exams and cleanings are vital for all ages. We specialize in caring for children’s teeth in a comfortable and caring environment and three Long Island locations. Head into the Spring in Summer with a healthy, bright smile and schedule your appointment today!

Don't forget to LIKE us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter for updates and industry news.

Bedtime Snacks for Kids

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Adults aren’t the only ones who can suffer from late night food cravings, children can as well. Many active kids may actually need the snack to hold them over night, especially during growth spurts. While it's not the best idea to eat a large meal at this time, there are some snacks that can help fill your child’s stomach and not be detrimental to their oral health.   

The snack should remain small, just to tide them over and help them get to sleep. Sugary foods should be avoided as they are especially damaging when given the chance to rest against the teeth enamel over night. Instead opt for some of the below foods to help with sleep, decrease cavities, and provide your child with more energy in the morning:

• Bananas
• Whole grain crackers
• Unsalted almonds
• Low fat cottage cheese
• Low sugar cereal with fat free milk

It’s important to plan the bedtime snacks 30-45 minutes prior to bedtime. By waiting, you give the tooth enamel time to strengthen back up before brushing. And it's also important to keep in mind, only give your child a snack if they are hungry, not out of habit.

What are your go-to snacks for your child before bed? Share with us on our Facebook page!

 

Homemade Father’s Day Gift Ideas

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Father's Day is THIS Sunday - and if you're kids are still looking for some gift inspiration, we've got you covered. After all, what’s more thoughtful than a homemade gift? This Father’s Day, help the kids create a present straight from the heart. Here are a several handmade gift ideas that dad will surely cherish:

Aprons

Whether your dad’s the grill master or a skilled baker, an apron makes a wonderful gift. Make it extra-special by personalizing it! Shelterness.com recommends purchasing a plain apron and decorating it to suit dad’s style.

T-Shirt Pillows

Is dad having trouble letting go of his old college or sports tees? Better Homes and Gardens suggests transforming them into cool keepsake pillows! Simply cut the t-shirt fabric to the desired size (allowing for 1/4-inch seams) and sew together. Make sure to leave an opening to fill.

Garden Markers

If your dad loves digging around in the garden, homemade garden stakes are a brilliant gift idea. According to Parents.com, all you need is craft foam and Popsicle sticks to create this charming present. Glue fruit and veggie-shaped foam onto wooden sticks to help dad identify where he’s planted everything.

Father's Day Cutout Frame

Kids can spell out just how much they love dad this weekend with a handmade Father's Day cutout frame. The photos, trimmed to show kids' faces, are displayed through the holes of the letters. Follow this easy guide from MarthaStewart.com to get started!

No matter what you choose to make for dad this Father’s Day, he’s sure to appreciate your heartfelt gift. Have even more ideas? Tell us about them at our Facebook page.

3 Tooth-friendly Summer Recipes

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Summer’s just around the corner, and that means so are some of your kids’ favorite snacks – ice cream sundaes, lemonade and ice pops. Unfortunately these sugar-loaded treats can take their toll on teeth. Not to worry – we’ve got you covered with three tooth-friendly summer recipes your kids will love!

Smoothies
Ice cream sundaes and shakes are no doubt delicious, but all that sugar is not good for your children’s teeth. If they’re craving something cold and sweet, throw together a tasty smoothie! We love this list of healthy smoothies kids will actually enjoy. Note that the recipes do not contain added sugar (other than honey), so your kids’ teeth will stay happy and healthy.

Refreshing Drinks
When temperatures are high, children may be tempted to grab an ice cold Coke, Kool-Aid, lemonade or other sweet drink. They contain excess sugar which can destroy teeth and contributes to obesity and obesity-related health conditions. This healthy alternative to Kool-Aid is the perfect replacement! It’s made from herbal tea, apple cider vinegar, honey, lemon and salt, making it free of artificial flavors and dyes.

Healthy “Ice Cream”
It might look and taste like ice cream, but this sweet treat is made with just a few simple, tooth-friendly ingredients. Kids will love Rachael Ray’s Banana “Ice Cream” Fakeout, and they won’t even realize it contains no refined sugars. What an easy way to satisfy your child’s sweet tooth without contributing to tooth decay.

Have any other tooth-friendly summer recipes you’d like to share? Head to our Facebook page and share your ideas!

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.

Year Round Tips for Healthy Smiles

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National Children’s Dental Health Month is coming to a close, but it’s not too late to save your children’s teeth - or your own! Establishing an oral health routine is not only important now, but for your child’s teeth year round.

So while this month was dedicated to raising awareness, continue to use the below tips to reduce your child’s risk of tooth decay:

• Limit between-meal snacks, should your child want something offer them nutritious options
• Purchase sugarless gum! Chewing sugarless gum after eating can increase saliva flow and help wash out food and decay-producing acid
• Monitor beverage consumption, offer your child water rather than soft drinks
• Encourage your children to brush and floss twice a day
• Schedule regular dental visits with us!

If you’re looking for a pediatric dentist on Long Island - look no further! We have offices in Massapequa Park, Nesconset, and West Islip with board certified pediatric dentists and orthodontists, and we provide laser dentistry, sedation dentistry, plus we also treat special needs patients.

Give us a call and visit us today!
Nesconset Office - 631.360.7337
Massapequa Park Office - 516.798.1111
West Islip Office - 631.661.7337

Want to Learn More About Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental?

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Have you stumbled across our page while looking for a pediatric dentist for your child? Welcome! Here at Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental we provide a warm, friendly environment, and treat your children the same way we treat our own children. Our "under the sea" theme in both the waiting and patient rooms, provides a friendly, fun atmosphere, that makes your child’s trips to the dentist an enjoyable time.

By accident or on purpose we’ve adapted some holistic practices in our office, like digital x-rays, white composite fillings, non-latex materials, gluten-free products, and are one of the leading experts in laser dentistry for children.

If you’re interested in learning more about our practice, please visit our YouTube channel. 

 
To schedule an appointment, give us a call at any of our below locations! And stay in the loop by LIKING our Facebook page:

• Nesconset Office - 631.360.7337
• Massapequa Park Office - 516.798.1111
• West Islip Office - 631.661.7337

Lunch Box Woes

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental and Orthodontics

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As we get back into the full swing of the school year, packing lunches can be a hassle in the morning. It's always easier to grab something quick and prepackaged while you try and get yourself and your household ready for the day.

Next time you go food shopping, try and avoid picking those prepackaged snacks up. Not only are they bad for your child's teeth, but they aren't too healthy in general.

Not sure what we're talking about? See below for the top 5 WORST snacks in your child's lunch, courtesy of SkinnyMom.com:

• Potato Chips - any major brand is fried in oil with added preservatives. Try making your own healthy homemade chips (like Kale or Sweet Potato) or purchasing an all natural / whole grain brand if some kind of chip is craved
• Fruit Snacks or Gummies - one of the worst snacks for your teeth, these snacks are sticky and high and sugar and easily get stuck around your teeth
• Cracker Packs - We've already explained why crackers are bad for your teeth, but again these snacks are processed with preservatives and ingredients your child doesn't need to be ingesting
• Packaged Cakes - These are deserts, not snacks and regardless they are filled with sugar, high fructose corn syrups, preservatives and dyes
• Juice Boxes - So much sugar! Encourage your child to drink water, even add some fresh fruit slices to give it more of a taste

Looking for healthier substitutes? Hummus & Vegetables, Nut Butter and Apples, Air-popped Popcorn, Fresh Fruit, Sweet Potato Chips, Cheese Slices are some options. What substitutes have you planned to make this year? Share with us on our Facebook page!

For more examples of Healthy School Lunches visit Parents.com.

What To Do In Case of a Tardy Tooth Fairy

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental and Orthodontics

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Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy; many roles parents have to fill at all times of the year. Christmas and Easter have a day on the calendar to help you out, but there aren’t dates set for when your child loses their teeth!

Children lose about 20 baby teeth between age 5 and 12.  Sometimes the Tooth Fairy gets caught up on when they have to arrive over those 8 or so years. Never fear, here are some tips from Better Homes and Gardens on how to handle when your child notices a missing date with the Tooth Fairy:

1. Having older siblings who have all their permanent teeth can help you out by visiting their younger sibling with some cash and say, “I think this is for you, it must have been delivered to the wrong room.”
2. When your child addresses you, concerned about not getting a visit, go into their room and pretend to look around the bed with the dough in your hand. Sneakily drop it someplace in the bed and tell them they must have moved it in their sleep and that the fairy must not have had room in his sack for the tooth.
3. Tell your child there must have been a “molar emergency” and leave a note from the Tooth Fairy explaining what happened on the following night. Come up with an exciting story and reward your child for their good dental care.
4. When your child presents you with their fallen out tooth, tie a piece of string (or dental floss) to your toothbrush so you remember to pay their pillow a visit before you hit the hay.

Have there been tardy Tooth Fairy moments in your household? Let us know how you handled them on our Facebook Page!

Importance of Water and Your Child's Teeth

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental and Orthodontics

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Although fruit juices are often used as a soda substitute for children to avoid tooth decay, they may actually cause more harm than good. Juices are indeed more nutritious, however their acidity causes damage to tooth enamel.

So what should your kids be drinking instead? Water, especially fluoridated water, is best for kids teeth. Fluoride exists naturally in water sources and helps prevent and reverse the early stages of tooth decay. It even allows teeth damaged by acid to repair or remineralize themselves.

So ditch the acidic drinks and get your kids into the habit of drinking water. See below for some tips to getting your kids excited about water:
 

• Purchase fun cups
• Freeze ice cubes into cool shapes
• Add a slice of fruit for a hint a flavor
• Use a silly straw

Do you have any tips on getting your kids to drink water? Let us know on our Facebook page!