Facts about Baby Teeth

 

Even though they will eventually fall out, baby teeth still play an important role in your child's overall health and development. That said, it's important to make sure you take good care of them! 

While you're at it, here are some facts about baby teeth you can really sink your teeth into:

• No two people have the same set of teeth. They are as unique as your fingerprint!
• Bones are NOT as strong as teeth. It’s true, tooth enamel - the outer most layer of the tooth - is the strongest substance in the human body.
• Unlike bones or other parts of the body - teeth cannot heal themselves. That’s why dental fillings and other work is necessary to protect them from further damage.
• Although you can’t seem them yet - they are there! Baby teeth, or milk teeth, start forming in the womb and start to come through when the child is between 6-12 months old.
• A baby’s bottom incisors (bottom front teeth) are usually the first to come through at around 5 to 7 months old.
• Baby teeth should be brushed as soon as they appear - use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste to brush your child’s teeth.
• Baby teeth are prone to decay just like adult or permanent teeth - that’s why we advise giving your child water in a bottle at bedtime. Exposure to any form of sugar (including milk!) while asleep can add to Early Childhood Decay.
• You can actually catch a cavity! Cavity-causing bacteria can be passed from person to person - either by sharing drinks, kissing a loved one, or when a parent tastes food to ensure it’s not too hot for the child. This bacteria can also be transmitted if a parent “cleans” off a pacifier by sucking on it before giving it back to their little one.
• In prehistoric times, kids likely did not suffer with tooth decay. Why? The American Dental Association says this is because sugar was not a regular part of their diet! 

For more information on children's oral health- 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.

Baby’s First Thanksgiving: What to Eat

 www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

 

Do you have a new eater joining the table this Thanksgiving? Not to worry! We have some healthy Thanksgiving dinner options perfect for budding teeth:

• Sweet potatoes - Are super easy since they require minimal work to be baby ready. Sweet potatoes are full of vitamins like vitamin C and vitamin A, both necessary for healthy gums and tooth enamel.
• Cranberry sauce - A staple at Thanksgiving, cranberries have been reported to help prevent plaque forming bacteria and gingivitis. Plus - if you decide to make your own, you can control the amount of sugar added. Just make sure the sauce is pureed to a smooth texture for your little one!
• Veggies - Raw vegetables are known for stimulating saliva and cleaning plaque from teeth, but we don’t want to be serving this to new eaters. Making sure your child eats their vegetables though is still important to their health - so set aside some unseasoned green beans and puree them up for babies under 6 months or serve some well-cooked, bite-sized pieces to self-feeders.
• Turkey - This option is best for those with experience in solid foods, typically 7 months and up. Turkey is high in protein, calcium, and vitamin D - essential for keeping teeth and bones strong! Chop very fine pieces using a food processor or chef’s knife - hold the gravy.

New eaters or those up to 12 months may require food pureed and thinned with breast milk and formula. If your new eater has more experience with solids, an oatmeal texture is usually fine for this age. 

 
We hope everyone enjoys the bountiful harvest this year! Don’t forget - once the meal is over, be sure to brush with fluoride toothpaste or wipe your child’s gums clean with a clean gauze pad. 

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

Teething: Soothe Sore Gums

 www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

Although teething times vary based on the child, somewhere between three and twelve months your child’s teeth will make their grand, grumpy appearance. Classic signs and symptoms to look out for include:

• Drooling
• Chewing on solid objects
• Irritability or crankiness
• Sore or tender gums

Regardless of the symptoms your child exhibits, you’ll be desperate to give them some teething relief. Consider these tips for soothing sore gums:

1. Rubbing - With a clean finger, or damp, clean washcloth, massage your baby’s gums. The pressure can ease your child’s discomfort.
2. Teething Ring - Opt for one made of firm rubber. The liquid-filled kind may break under the pressure of your baby’s chewing.
3. Keep it cool - A cold washcloth or chilled teething ring can also do the trick, just don’t give your baby a frozen teething ring, the contact with extreme cold may be harmful.
4. Dry the drool - Excessive drooling is part of the teething process. In order to prevent skin irritation, keep a clean cloth nearby to dry your baby’s chin!

For additional teething tips click here » If you have more questions or concerns with your child's oral habits - schedule an appointment at any of our 3 locations. We'll evaluate the situation and discuss solutions to ensure your child is paving the way towards excellent oral health!

Don't forget to take advantage of our #SelfieOfSummer Contest! Enter your selfie for a chance to win a $200 AMEX Gift Card! Details here »

Shark Teeth!

 www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

Have you noticed your child’s permanent teeth erupting behind the baby teeth? Don’t worry - this actually isn’t abnormal! Ectopic eruption, or shark teeth, can happen at any time, but are most common during two periods in a child’s development: around age 6 when the lower front teeth come in and around age 11 when the upper back molars appear.

So what do you do once these shark teeth appear? Well, if the baby teeth are extremely loose to begin with - you can let nature take its course and allow them to fall out shortly there after. Otherwise, it’s important to remove the teeth so the permanent teeth can move into the right spot. Delaying removal of the baby teeth can create a loss of jaw space and create orthodontic (braces) problems in the future.

Don't be worried about your child having gaps in their teeth for long. It’s amazing how quickly the permanent teeth will start moving into the proper spot immediately after the obstacle has been removed. Added natural pressure from the tongue will guide the new teeth into the right position within a few weeks!

So don't worry too much if you notice these shark teeth popping up. Be sure to keep an eye on your child or schedule an appointment with us to address any concerns. 

New Year, New Teeth - Importance of Infant Oral Exams

 www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

Before your child is born most parents establish a 'medical home' for the child, but may not understand the importance of a 'dental home' as well.

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.

At Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental - we provide a warm, friendly environment, and treat your children the same way we treat our own! See what Dr. Marc Adelberg himself has to say about infant oral exams and early intervention services:

 

Give us a call at any of our locations to schedule your child's first dental visit today!
Nesconset Office - 631.360.7337
Massapequa Park Office - 516.798.1111
West Islip Office - 631.661.7337

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