Establishing Your Child's Dental Home with AMPD!

 www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

When it comes to your children’s health, you don’t skip doctor visits - so why skip dental visits? We can’t stress enough that establishing a dental “home” for your child at a young age is vital in preventing dental problems down the line.

Dental problems can begin earlier than you think. Children run the risk of severe tooth decay just from using a bottle during nap time or while sleeping overnight - as well as from continuously nursing from the breast. That’s why the earlier you schedule your dental visit - the better chance we have at early intervention plus assuring optimal oral health care for a lifetime!

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 the importance of infant oral exams and early intervention services:

We (along with the AAPD) recommend your child’s first dental visit happen by their first birthday to ensure their teeth are erupting properly and that there are no dental abnormalities. Give any of our three offices a call today to schedule your child's first dental appointment! 

How to Prevent Cavities in Your Children

 www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

 

Dental decay, for the most part, is a preventable disease. In fact, many children grow up cavity free - and it’s not due to luck or good genes! By learning about cavity prevention early on, parents are able to implement certain behaviors in their young children - starting them on the path to a lifetime of good oral health.

Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Bottles do not cause cavities, it’s the liquid inside that can promote tooth decay. Milk, juice, formula - just about everything your child drinks contains sugar. When sugar is left in the mouth, bacteria starts to break it down and turn it into acid which starts eating away at tooth enamel. Putting your child to bed with a bottle of juice or milk over night is the ideal way to start the above process. Work to limit your child’s time with a bottle, fill it with water, and as soon as possible - teach him or her how to drink from a cup.
• A child with past caries experience is at risk for future cavities. The best chance of avoiding any problems in the future is to not develop them as an infant or toddler. Limit the amount of candy and sugary snacks that can get stuck to teeth. Also, look at the ingredients on the packages of the groceries you are buying - many times sugar and high fructose corn syrup are at the top of the list.
• Using fluoridated water and the use of a fluoridated toothpaste increases the chance of stopping cavities from developing. In a recent paper in the Canadian Journal of Dental Hygiene, Robert Compton, DDS, the executive director of the DentaQuest Institute, reported: “The result of behavior modification and goal setting along with frequent application of fluoride varnish and home fluoride toothpaste was a reduction of 65% in new cavitation.”

It’s also important to be a good role model for your children. If you make brushing and flossing a daily part of your routine, you have a greater chance of having kids who brush and floss regularly.

If you have any questions in preventing early childhood caries - contact any of our three offices today!

 

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!

#TuesdayTips - For Preventing Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

 www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

 

While yes, your child’s primary (baby) teeth are only temporary, they are still 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. It’s important to start your little ones off with good oral care early to help protect their teeth for decades to come.

Tooth decay in infants and toddlers is commonly referred to as Baby Bottle Tooth Decay or Early Childhood Caries. While there are a number of factors that can contribute to the cause of decay, one common cause is frequent, prolonged exposure of the baby’s teeth to drinks high in sugar. Such as, putting the child to bed with a bottle or when a bottle is used as a pacifier for a fussy baby.

The good news is, this baby bottle tooth decay IS preventable! As suggested by MouthHealthy.org:

• Place only formula, milk or breastmilk in bottles. Avoid filling the bottle with liquids such as sugar water, juice or soft drinks.
• Children should finish their bedtime and nap time bottles prior to going to bed.
• When your child’s teeth come in, brush them gently with a child-size toothbrush and a smear (or grain of rice sized amount) of fluoride toothpaste until the age of 3.
• Avoid cleaning off baby feeding spoons or pacifiers with your mouth as cavity-causing bacteria are spread through saliva. After each feeding, gently wipe your child’s gums with a clean, damp gauze pad or washcloth.

If you have additional questions about your child’s teeth, feel free to give us a call. We can also schedule your child’s first dental visit to ensure their teeth are erupting properly and that there are no dental abnormalities.

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!

The State of Little Teeth

 www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

 

As you know, at Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental and Orthodontics, we make it our business to remain up to date and knowledgeable about the current technology, research and pertinent information in pediatric dentistry. For instance, the AAPD (American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry) has recently released their yearly report “The State of Little Teeth” in time for National Children's Dental Health Month, discussing the challenges facing the oral health of our children - and what we can do about them.

We'd like to share some of the important facts and findings discussed in the report so you can be better informed and so your child can have a healthy smile! 

Early Childhood Caries (ECC) - What is it?

• Early childhood caries (ECC) is an aggressive form of tooth decay. ECC can result when a child’s tooth is exposed to bacteria upon contact with saliva. The saliva can come from a caregiver while kissing their child or even playmates if they share utensils.
• The earlier a child becomes exposed to this bacteria, there is a greater chance of developing caries. You might be surprised to hear that ECC is the most common chronic early childhood disease in the US; even 5x more common than asthma!

How does a child develop ECC?

• Bottles containing juice, milk or formula during the day or at night increase a child’s risk for developing ECC.
• Defects in the enamel, frequent sugary snacks/drinks, poor dental hygiene, lack of fluoride exposure, chronic illness, some medications and mouth breathing are all risk factors for developing ECC.

Good news is ECC is a condition that is preventable! How? Simply scheduling an early visit with a pediatric dentist can help minimize the threat of ECC. The AAPD along with the American Academy of Pediatricians both endorse a child’s first dental visit by age 1 or six months after the first tooth erupts.

Help your child start positive oral health from their very first tooth.  Call us to schedule your appointment 631-360-PEDS (7337)!