Teaching Kids About Dental Health

 

Knowing how to care for teeth starts in the classroom - and it’s never too early to begin education! By using the below resources you can help educate students of all ages to get excited about dental health:

Dental health speaker: One of the easiest resources you have, is us! We can come to your child’s school or day care to help teach them everything they need to know about taking care of tiny teeth. We even welcome class trips and scout groups to visit our offices for a free tour and lesson!

Easy to do activities: Leading dentistry websites offer a plethora of free materials to help start discussions with children about their oral health. Get them talking about healthy habits - tying into how caring for your mouth is as important as caring for the rest of the body. Show the USDA “Choose My Plate” chart and explain and review food groups and why each is important for healthy bodies and teeth. You may also want to discuss tooth functions by asking children to make lists of food to be eaten with and without teeth. Have children pronounce the alphabet and tell which sounds are made using the teeth, tongue and lips. If you didn’t have teeth - would it be easy to say “teeth” “toys” or “toothbrush”? 

Print and video resources: While National Children’s Dental Health Month has passed, you can still download the full sets of 2016 activity sheets on ADA’s website! So print the collection today and stock up on markers! Your kids (or students) will be on the road to 'Defeat Monster Mouth' in no time. For video resources, head over to Mouth Healthy Kids for the American Dental Association’s award-winning PSAs, Dudley and Friends. There you’ll also find some games and quizzes and even more activity sheets for use.

If you’re interested in scheduling a FREE school visit or info session with us, give us a call at any of our three locations. Our staff would be more than happy to coordinate a visit.

Toothy Tuesday - Stocking Stuffers for Healthy Smiles

 www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

If we had to guess, dental products probably are not at the top of your child’s wish list, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be included. Let Santa handle all the big stuff! Consider tucking some tooth friendly goodies inside your child’s stockings to insure healthy smiles throughout the new year:

Xylitol Gum - Xylitol is a natural sweetener found in plants. In gum form, it works to prevent bacteria from sticking to the teeth as well as keeping saliva at a more neutral pH level. Making sure your kids chew this when they have a gum craving will help stimulate saliva while keeping teeth clean and healthy.

Flavored Toothpaste & Floss - Get your kids excited about brushing and flossing again! Treat them to a fun flavored toothpaste or floss to add variety to their normally minty routine. From cupcake to bacon flavored, you’re sure to find something on the market for your child. This Vanilla Ice Creme flavored toothpaste even has a 15% xylitol solution - win win! 

Fun Toothbrush - Singing toothbrushes, uniquely shaped toothbrushes, electric toothbrushes, smart toothbrushes, you name it - it probably exists. If your child is due for a new toothbrush, add one to their stocking this year!

Mouth Guard - Do you have an athlete in the family? Give the gift of a custom mouth guard. We have a mouth guard center in each of our locations - and you don’t need to be a patient to take advantage! We’ll fit your child for a guard unique to them and in the colors they prefer. Surprise them with a new mouth guard in time for spring sports! 

Timer - It’s important to brush for two minutes, twice daily - but making sure your children brush the full length of time can be tough. Look into the different two minute timers available on the web! Some offer LED lighting to signify when to start and when to stop, others sound a bell, while others you have to watch the time tick out. 

If you have any questions about your child’s teeth throughout the holidays, 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!

Baby Teeth Myths

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Image Courtesy of Serge Bertasius Photography/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

We all want what is best for our children - including their teeth. But with all the information and misconceptions out there, sometimes it can be hard to sort through what is fact and what is fiction. To help you out, we’ve listed some of the most common myths and facts about your child’s teeth below:

MYTH 1 - Since permanent teeth come in, the baby teeth don’t matter
Just because baby teeth fall out, doesn’t mean they aren’t susceptible to the same decay and disease as adult teeth. If your child’s baby teeth aren’t properly cared for, bacteria and decay can easily be passed down to the tooth waiting to come in behind it. Additionally, baby teeth serve as placeholders in the mouth - having these teeth fall out too early (due to lack of care/decay) can cause crowding when the permanent teeth start to move in.

MYTH 2 - Most children have cavities due to their ‘soft’ teeth.
There is no such thing as soft teeth! Enamel of both baby teeth and adult teeth is the hardest substance in the body. Cavities can develop due to a poor diet (take sugary juices into consideration) and from the transferring of utensils/cleaning off pacifiers in the parent’s mouths.

MYTH 3 - My child is able to brush his/her own teeth
While it may appear that your child is capable of brushing their own teeth, chances are they struggle with getting those hard to reach places. While its certainly important to get them into the habit of brushing their own teeth, you may still want to oversee their brushing efforts to make sure they are getting the job done!

MYTH 4- Dentist appointments aren’t necessary for a few years
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that a child should visit the dentist by their first birthday or six months after the eruption of their first tooth. By establishing a dental home early, you will be more likely to avoid serious dental issues that could result in extensive treatment and even possible sedation.

If you have more questions or concerns about these common baby teeth myths, 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 our newest location in West Islip. 

Celebrate Earth Day with Your Kids!

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Image Source: Wiki How

Every April, people honor Earth Day in a variety of ways. Whether they just get out and enjoy nature, participate in earth-friendly activities, or raise awareness about environmental issues; today is the largest, most celebrated environmental event worldwide. Exposing kids to nature not only gives them an opportunity to learn more about our planet, but it also supports creativity, improves academic performance, and betters their health.

In honor of this special day, we’ve rounded up some family-friendly Earth Day actives to help teach your children how to act in environmentally responsible ways:

Watch a movie about the environment - Not only is it entertaining, but it can open the floor for conversation. Try movies like Disney’s Earth, WALL-E, Free Willy, or FernGully: The Last Rainforest.

Clean up your community - Give a hands on lesson in how much time it takes just to clean up one area of your local park.

Create a nature journal - Perfect for your little artists, authors, and nature lovers. Like a personal journal or diary, the nature journal allows your kids to record their outings. Record your time outdoors in drawings, include inserts of leaves or flowers, the ideas are endless.

Make Earth Day crayons - Recycle and reuse your old broken crayons. Collect all the small, broken bits and arrange them in a muffin tin. Bake them in the oven so they melt, wait for them to cool, vuala - good as new!

Although Earth Day is only once a year - it’s important to keep the environment in mind all year long. Let us know how you plan on being green today on our Facebook page!

Make Brushing Fun!

 www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

New year, new challenges - regardless of your "improve oral health" resolution, teaching your child to brush may still come as a struggle. Often times, children view brushing their teeth as another chore - specifically one they'd like to avoid whenever possible. Change their perceptions this year by following some of these tips and make brushing family fun:

• There's an App for That! - Of course there is! Apps like Brush DJ is a free app that will play random music from your phone or iPad for 2 minutes in order to keep your child brushing longer. This app also reminds you about dental checkups and when you should replace your toothbrush!
• Be Connected - The Beam Brush is the world's first smart toothbrush! This manual brush monitors oral hygiene habits and reports them to a smartphone app. One smart phone can hold multiple Beam Brush data - have the whole family compete to be the best brusher! You have the option of watching the light 'beam' turn off after 2 minutes or listening to music while you brush for the allotted time. Create goals to form new habits and even earn rewards for your progress! Great way to ensure kids are building and maintaining good oral care habits.
• Offer Variety - Try buying a flavored floss in berry, winter-mint, or even cupcake flavors! An easy and tasty way to encourage your little one to floss. Floss picks in your child's favorite color, cartoon, or animal is much more exciting to them as well.
• Use Incentives - Create rewards to help your child along the way. If your child remembers to brush their teeth without having to be reminded, give a point or sticker. Once enough points or stickers are accumulated, allow your child to trade them in for a small prize. Keep a daily chart in the bathroom to keep a running record.

Your child may not understand the importance of a dental routine, but they do understand fun! Try some of these tips with your kids and let us know if they've helped! Share any other tips and tricks of your own on our Facebook page.

Get Crafty with Gifting This Season!

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Craft fairs have always been popular on Long Island and you're in luck - there are quite a few this month just in time for the holiday season. So before thinking about going to a store to buy gifts or holiday decor, we not try stopping at one of these fairs for a homemade and handcrafted item:

December 7th:

    Islip's Merry on Main - Islip
    Greenery Boutique - Setauket
    Sachem North Festival of Trees & Lights - Ronkonkoma
    Wooden Wonderland - Riverhead
    Art & Craft Show - Northport (Through December 8th)
    Holiday Fair at Christ Lutheran Church in Freeport - Freeport
    Alli's 50th Holiday Fine Arts & Craft Fair - Dix Hills
    Christmas Fair @ The Episcopal Church of St. John - Center Moriches
    Christmas Fair @ St. Mark's Episcopal Church of Islip - Islip
    The Northport Craft Fair - Northport (Through December 8th)

December 8th:

    Annual Craft & Gift Fair - Hicksville
    Christmas at Hallockville - Riverhead
    Holiday Festival - Stony Brook
    Holiday Bazaar - Old Westbury
    Holiday Craft Fair - Our Lady of Grace Church - West Babylon
    Tree Lighting Festival - Old Westbury

December 14th:

    Holiday Craft and Artisan Market - Farmingdale
    Smithtown Art & Craft Fair - Smithtown (Through December 15th)
    "Shop for a Cause - Cheer for Charity" Holiday Fair - Massapequa (Through December 15th)

December 21st:

    Selden Craft & Gift Fair - Selden (Through December 22nd)
    25th Annual Craft Fair - Setauket (Through December 22nd)

Check out LongIsland.com's entire list of craft fairs here!

Long Island's Largest Holiday Light Show

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Image Source: LongIsland.com

Kick off the holiday season by visiting Long Island's largest holiday light show! Celebrating its 10th year, the Girl Scouts of Suffolk County's Holiday Light Show is officially open. Bring the family along a mile-long trail filled with beautiful holiday vignettes and displays in the picturesque woodlands of Camp Edey in Bayport.

Don't miss the Holiday Village where you can take photos with Santa, sip on some hot cocoa, and explore the Hall of Trees - consisting of trees that are donated and decorated by Girl Scout Troops and are later given to transitional housing facilities, and adults and veterans homes.

An ideal after school treat, visit the light show daily from 5 pm - 9pm through December 30th (closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas). It costs $12 per car Monday - Thursday and $15 per car Friday - Sunday.

Click here for more information!

The Importance of Flossing

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental and Orthodontics

www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

Flossing is ESSENTIAL to anyone's oral health routine, children especially. Sometimes flossing isnt the easiest thing for children to do - but don't worry, we have some tips to help them with solid oral care habits:

1. Hand held 'floss sticks' are a very useful tool in helping kids learn how to floss on their own and is much easier for small hands to hold. Use a similar flossing technique with the same zig-zag motion as you would with standard floss. Make sure not to pop or snap the floss, slide the floss around each tooth gently.
2. Schedule a dental check up and have your child show the dentist their flossing technique. This way the hygienist can instruct your child the correct flossing method and help them fix their technique.
3. Have your child watch you floss your own teeth! What better way to set an example. Have your child brush and floss along side of you to reinforce good habits.
4. Chart their progress and reinforce their efforts! Good habits take time to develop. Have a flossing chart in the bathroom is a great reminder for kids to floss everyday. Gentle reminders also help as well as praise when your child does floss on their own.

Feel free to contact us for a dental check up and we can go through the importance of flossing with your child. Do you have helpful tips to get kids into a flossing habit? Share with us on our Facebook page!

Halloween Candy Safety Tips

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental and Orthodontics

www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

Halloween is just about here and with that we want to talk about some Candy Safety Tips that everyone should follow.

• Instruct your children not to open their candy until they return home
• Inspect all candy for visible signs of tampering before you let your child eat any
• Accept only wrapped and packaged candy
• Do not eat any candy that has been or looks unwrapped or opened
• Avoid chocking hazards such as gum, hard candies, or small toys to young children

And of course, when in doubt.. throw it out!

You may also want to limit the amount of candy your children consume on Halloween night. A good idea is to make sure they eat a filling meal before or after trick or treating depending on the time. Moderation is key in keeping children, and their mouths, healthy for the Halloween holiday.

For more information on how to enjoy a healthy Halloween, see the AAPD's tips for keeping your children's teeth front of mind.

Trick-or-Treating Safety

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental and Orthodontics

www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

For kids (and parents too), Halloween is one of the best night's of the year. But as fun as it is to dress up and go out with friends and family to collect buckets of candy - trick-or-treating can also be dangerous if you aren't careful.

Take a look at some of these vital safety tips before venturing out this Halloween:

Pre-plan Your Route
Whether you are accompanying your kids or they're old enough to go out on their own, planning a route in advance is a big help. Trick or treating can take you several streets away from your house which can lead to sore legs and frustration. Stick to paths you and your child are familiar with to avoid getting lost. If your kids are going out on their own, have them check in regularly, by phone or by stopping back at home and make sure they do not deviate from the preplanned route.

Wear Comfortable Shoes
All that walking requires comfort. Girls should avoid heels to avoid discomfort. Make sure the shoes fit properly and shoelaces are tied as to not trip in the dark.

Hem Your Costume
Speaking of avoiding tripping, long costumes that drag on the ground can be dangerous. Make sure your child tries on the costume and it is at an appropriate length. Cut or hem anything that could make them fall.

Be Seen
Even though Daylight savings isn't until this weekend, it still gets dark pretty early. Apply reflective tape to your child's costume to make sure they are seen by drivers on the road. Carrying a flashlight is another great idea as well.

Make Sure YOU Can See
If a mask must be worn to complete a costume, make sure the holes for the eyes are large enough to clearly see both in front of you and out of the peripherals. You may need to cut the eye holes larger for more visibility. An alternative to a mask is using non-toxic make-up to complete the costume.

Use Flexible Props
If your child's costume involves a weapon, make sure it is rubber or plastic. Choose a prop that won't cause injury to your child or their friends.

Check Your Candy
After a fun night of trick-or-treating, parents be sure to check your child's candy as you sort through at the end of the night. Anything that is not in its original wrapper or looks like it has been opened, throw away. We'll be doing a candy need-to-know post in a few days so stay tuned!

Us here at Adelberg & Montalvan want to wish you and your family a very Happy and SAFE Halloween. Don't forget to bring in your candy from November 1st - 9th to participate in our candy buy back program for the troops!

Spooky Crafts For Kids

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental and Orthodontics

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Still looking to keep the kids busy before it's trick or treat time? Get crafty! Make some time for arts and crafts to keep the kids occupied all while creating some new Halloween decor for the home.

See below for some fun, simple crafts any child can do - bonus, most of these items may be in your house already!

 Q-Tip Skeletons
Black Marker • White Paper • Black Construction Paper • Scissors • Q-Tips • Glue
Simply draw a skeleton face on the white paper and cut it out to glue on the black construction paper. Then glue Q-Tips to the black construction paper to make the bones. Use scissors to cut the Q-Tips to make smaller segments like for fingers or toes.

Spirit Jugs
Clean Plastic Gallon Milk Jugs • Black Permanent Marker • Craft Knife • String of 50 Clear Low-wattage Holiday Lights
Draw ghost eyes and mouths on the jugs. Then, parents, cut a half dollar size hole in the back of each jug for the lights. Arrange the jugs near each other and string the lights between them, stuffing a few bulbs into each jug. Don't have holiday lights? Battery operate votive candles or glow sticks are great alternatives!

Glass Jar Jack-o-Lanterns
Empty Glass Jar • Masking Tape • Orange Paint • Paint Brush • Candle
Remove the label from the jar and clean it thoroughly. Once dry, cut out shapes from the masking tape to make eyes, nose and mouth. Stick them on the jar as you'd like the face of the jack-o-lantern to be. Paint over the masking tape with the orange paint and then allow the paint to dry. Finally, remove the masking tape and light a candle inside the jar.

Paper Cup Ghosts
White Paper Cups • White Streamers • Clear Tape • Black Marker • Scissors • White String
Draw a face on the cup (upside down) with the black marker. Then cut streamers to 6-inch lengths and tape them to the inside of the cup (shreds of toilet paper can be an alternative if you don't have streamers lying around). Poke a hole through the bottom of the cup and thread some string through the slit. Tie a knot in the string so it stays in place and then hang your new ghost in a doorway or from the ceiling.

Have any other DIY Halloween crafts? Share with us on our Facebook page!

Web Sources:
SheKnows
Spoonful

Participate in our Candy 'Buy Back' Program!

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental and Orthodontics

www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

Special announcement! Our offices will be doing a candy 'buy back' program in order to donate Halloween candy to the troops! We are giving out 1 raffle ticket per pound of candy which will enter you in the contest for a $25 gift card to the movies.

So try not to let your kids overload on sweets this Halloween and instead bring some in from November 1st - 9th to enter the raffle. Not sure which candy you should keep and which candy you should donate? See our list below for the best and the worst treats:

The Good:

• Plain chocolate is actually one of the best candies kids can treat themselves to on Halloween. It melts quickly and decreases the amount of time sugar is in contact with your teeth.
• Sugar free gum is great for kids to have after eating, it increases saliva which then works to wash the teeth and neutralize some of the acid produced by bacteria.

Be cautious of:

• Sugar filled candies - pixie stixs, fun dip, nerds, smarties, candy corn, etc. These all contain a high amount of sugar which can cause tooth decay.
• Sticky sweets - taffy, gummy candies, jelly beans. These all get stuck in the crevices between the teeth making it hard for saliva to wash away.
• Sour candies - sour patch kids. These candies have a higher acidic content, which can break down tooth enamel.

No matter what candy your kids decide to indulge in, make sure they rinse with water and brush after consumption. And remember - a proper oral routine makes sure the occasional sweets don't do any harm!

Halloween Fun This Weekend

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental and Orthodontics

www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

There's no reason to wait until All Hallow's Eve to have some Halloween fun! Enjoy this beautiful Fall weekend with the family and head out to one of the many Halloween events the Island has to offer:

RISE of the Jack O' Lanterns
Old Westbury Gardens: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury NY 11568
Fri - Sun, 7 - 10:30pm
Cost: $12-$20
Over 5,000 hand carved and illuminated Jack O’Lanterns light up the night, features the work of dozens of local artists and sculptors in a outdoor walk through experience, suitable for all ages, rain or shine! Tickets must be bought in advance.

Spooky Fest - The Woods are Haunted!
1 Tanglewood Road, Rockville Centre NY 11570
Fri - Sun, 6:30 - 9:30 pm
Cost: Kids 12 and under - $10; Ages 13 and older - $15
CSTL's 5th Annual Spooky Fest is bigger than ever! Admission includes: a scary walk in the woods, the mystic den, a not-so-spooky walk in the woods, kids' craft area, live animals exhibit, and goody-bags for the first 200 children each night!

Scary Walk 4 Autism
Darkside Haunted House: 5184 Route 25A, Wading River NY 11933
Saturday, 1 - 5pm
Cost: $5
Children’s Halloween party, scary walk including an inflatable slide, bouncer, obstacle course inflatable, popcorn machine, proceeds benefit Justice 4 Autism, rain date Oct 20

Haunted Trail of Horrors
Middle Island Fire Department: 31 Arnold Dr., Middle Island NY 11953
Fri & Sat, 7:30 - 10:30pm
Cost: $10, Kids 7 and under are free
Middle Island Fire Department's 5th Annual Haunted Trail of Horrors! Follow a haunted trail - proceeds benefit the firehouse.

Let us know what your favorite Halloween spook walks are your favorite on our Facebook page!

Image Source: RISE of the Jack O'Lanterns

October is National Orthodontic Health Month!

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental and Orthodontics

www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

Leaves are changing color, temperatures are getting cooler, and our little ghouls and goblins are getting ready for Halloween! But did you know that October is also National Orthodontic Health Month?

In a month full of hard, sticky, crunch, and chewy treats - it's more important than ever to encourage everyone to take proper care of their teeth, especially those going through orthodontic treatment.

So if your children have braces, beware of these treats this Halloween season:

• Caramel
• Popcorn
• Taffy
• Licorice
• Bubblegum

We know that Halloween is filled with sugary sweets so as always please encourage your children to brush and floss after consumption! Sweets lead to cavities and certain candies can lead to damaged braces, we wouldn't want that to happen!

And in honor of National Orthodontic Health Month, our Massapequa Park and Nesconset locations are offering FREE orthodontic consultations. Be sure to call either office anytime this month for  a complimentary consultation for your child!

Massapequa Park Office
1000 F. Park Blvd.
Massapequa Park, NY 11762
(516) 798-1111

Nesconset Office
62 Lake Ave., Suite A
Nesconset, NY 11767
(631) 360-7337

Image Source: AAOInfo.org

Apple Picking on Long Island

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental and Orthodontics

www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

Looking for plans this weekend? Why not take the family apple picking to get into the Fall spirit!

A lot of times people head upstate in search of apple orchards; but there's no need to make that trek (unless of course you have the time!) when there are a ton of apple picking locations right here on Long Island.

Not sure where to look? We've listed a few below for your convenience (courtesy of LongIsland.com). So enjoy the sunny weather this weekend and treat yourself to some outdoor family fun:

Lewin Farms
812 Sound Avenue
Wading River, NY 11792
(631) 929-4327
 
Harbe’s Farm and Orchard
5698 Sound Ave 
Riverhead, NY 11901
(631) 298-0700

Fort Salonga Farm
30 Meadow Glen Road
Northport, NY 11768
(631) 269-9666
 
Woodside Orchards
729 Main Road
Aquebogue, NY
(631) 722-5770

Davis Peach Farm
561 Hulse Landing Road
Wading River, NY
(631) 929-1115

Hank's Pumpkintown
240 Montauk Highway
Water Mill, NY
(631) 726-4667

Seven Pond Orchard
65 Seven Ponds Rd, Water Mill, New York 11976
(631) 726-8015

Richters Orchard
1300 Pulaski Rd, Northport, NY 11768
(631) 261-1980

Have we missed any of your favorite locations? Share with us on our Facebook page!

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

Toddler Time in Nesconset!

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental and Orthodontics

www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

New month, new patients, new specials!

We're having Toddler Time on September 18th at our Nesconset location. It will be a FREE, less formal visit for new patients under the age of two. It will be an informative play group with a dental component to get your little one familiar with their surroundings and oral care. Children will receive a FREE exam cleaning and fluoride.

This special is for NEW PATIENTS ONLY. Call our Nesconset location for more details and book your appointment today!

Nesconset Office
631.360.7337
62 Lake Ave., Suite A
Nesconset, NY 11767

Labor Day Weekend Guide!

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental and Orthodontics

www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

For most people, Labor Day symbolizes end of summer, the one last hurrah before kids are back in school and full time work has resumed. 

If you and your family are looking for a way to celebrate this weekend, check out some of these events around Long Island, courtesy of LongIsland.com's Labor Day Guide:

Huntington Lighthouse Music Festival FREE

Gold Star Battalion Beach, Huntington, NY 11743

631-421-1985

Saturday, August 31st - 11 am

The Huntington Lighthouse Preservation Society presents the 6th Annual Music Fest - the only music festival held on top of a working lighthouse in the middle of the sound and enjoy free and live performances with a musical variety from reggae to jazz and even rock. Spectators arrive in boats and yachts and other modes of water transportation from all over the tri-state area come to participate. Rain date is September 1st.

Labor Day Street Fair in Ronkonkoma

Hawkins Ave from Portion Rd to Wittridge Rd, Ronkonkoma, NY 11779

631-963-2796

Sunday, September 1st - 11 am to 6 pm 

The Ronkonkoma Chamber of Commerce presents its 8th Annual Street Fair with hundreds of vendors, arts and crafts, and children’s rides, live music and entertainment, food, drinks and meet local business owners. Rain or shine! 

Seaford Festival FREE

Seaford Railroad Station, Merrick Road, Seaford, NY 11783

631-724-5966

Saturday, August 31st - Monday, September 2nd - 11 am to 6 pm

Spend the whole weekend at the Seaford Festival featuring merchandise and food vendors, arts and crafts and great gift items. Handicapped access is available. Come rain or shine!

American Airpower Museum Labor Day Event

1230 New Highway, Farmingdale, NY 11735

631-293-6398

Friday, August 30th - Monday, September 2nd

 Spend Labor Day weekend at the American Airpower Museum for a show of all operational museum aircraft plus visiting aircraft. Call for more information.

6th Annual Craft & Gift Fair: Eisenhower Park FREE

Stewart Ave and Merrick Ave, East Meadow, NY 11554

516-442-6000

Saturday, August 31st - Sunday, September 1st - 10 am to 5 pm

Come interact and buy goods directly from emerging and established artisans as well as high quality craft, gift and service vendors who are offering their goods at affordable prices. Admission and parking is free at Field 8.

Are you planning to attend any fun events or activities? Share with us on our Facebook page!