Reasons To Get a Custom Fit Mouth Guard

When it comes to sports (competitive or recreational), safety is of utmost concern -- and mouth guards are one of the most important pieces of sports equipment your child needs to stay safe! 

In fact, according to the American Dental Association, an athlete is 60 times more likely to suffer harm to the teeth if they aren't wearing a mouth guard. 

Mouth guards are essential in helping to minimize the risk of broken teeth and injuries to the lips, tongue, face, or jaw during play. 

But with all the options out there - how do you choose which is best for your child? Consider the facts:

• While less expensive, generic boil-and-bite mouth guards can restrict breathing and speech. Additionally, they are difficult to adapt to orthodontic appliances. Custom mouth guards, however, are designed to uniquely fit in an athletes mouth, with no interference with speech or breathing.
• Does your child have braces? A custom fit guard can give them the protection and comfort they need in a mouthpiece.
• Custom guards are designed for optimal oxygen flow while providing the most protection and comfort. This helps an athlete enhance their performance and endurance on the field.
• Stock guards cannot be modified to fit an individual’s mouth and can only stay in place when the mouth is closed. Custom fit guards are made from an impression of the athlete’s mouth taken at a dentist’s office.

While any mouth guard is better than no mouth guard, we encourage you to look into the custom fit option for your athlete. At Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental, we offer our very own Mouth Guard Center for this exact reason. We will fit your child with a mouth guard specific to their mouth, and they can choose their colors to coincide with their school, intramural, or PAL league’s uniform. Contact us at any of our three locations today for more information!

Looking for an awesome summer camp for your athlete? Check out Long Island Youth Football Player Academy! All camps are led by USA Football certified coaches who truly believe that each player should be able to learn the fundamentals of football while maintaining a safety first outlook. We're so proud to be a premier sponsor of such a wonderful camp.

President's Week Kid Friendly Activities

 www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

 

It’s President’s Week and your kids are off from school. You’ve made it this far - but if you’re slowing down on ideas to keep them occupied until Monday, there are still a few workshops and events to cure boredom (including one in celebration of National Children's Dental Health Month!):

Penguins and Pajamas Sleepover
Long Island Aquarium - 431 East Main Street, Riverhead
February 18th 6pm - 7am
Members: $58.45  /  Non-Members: $64.95 [Kids 2 and under FREE]
Spend the night with penguins – an experience you’ll never forget! In this activity-filled overnight adventure, enjoy a penguin presentation and take part in hands-on crafts. After dinner, settle down for movie time - Happy Feet of course! Visit the website for more details and reservations.

Winter Recess Workshops
Science Museum of Long Island - 1526 N. Plandome Road, Plandome
February 18th - Attracted to Science 10am - 3pm
February 19th - Junior Engineers 10am - 3pm
Members:  $65 Per Child  /  Non-Members:  $75 per Child
For more than 50 years, the Science Museum of Long Island, located on the grounds of the 36-acre Leeds Pond Preserve in Plandome Manor has been making science education fun and exciting for children of all ages. For the remainder of the week, send your little scientists off to participate in their winter recess workshop program featuring a different science themed topic each day. Pack a lunch each day for your children and do dress them for the weather, as some activities are held outdoors. Slots fill up quickly, so register online today at www.smli.org or call 516-627-9500, extension 11 to register by telephone.

Boat and Tooth Workshops
The Whaling Museum & Education Center - 301 Main Street, Cold Spring Harbor
February 18th & 19th - Build-a-Boat Workshop 2pm - 4pm
Members: $5 Hull, free admission  /  Non-Members: $8 Hull, Museum Admission Additional

Stop by anytime between 2pm and 4pm to design your own vessel out of wood! The museum will provide all materials you’ll need to build your dream boat.
February 21st - Toothpalooza 12pm-3pm
In celebration of National Children’s Dental Health Month, come explore the amazing world of teeth! Touch some whale teeth, hunt for shark teeth, see a whale tooth cavity, meet the Tooth Fairy, learn facts about teeth at the craft stations, and create a keepsake box for baby teeth before leaving! Get your face painted too! (Visit website for more details)

If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s dental health, give any of our three locations 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.

Did You Know You Can Catch a Cavity?

 www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

Believe it or not it is true! Dental cavities are the single most common chronic childhood disease. While the cause of dental decay is multi-factorial most parents blame Halloween candy, snacking, or sugary drinks such as juice or soda.  These certainty contribute to cavities, however, cavities are also caused by bacteria. The main culprit is a bacteria called Streptococcus mutans. This bacteria lives in plaque on your teeth and feed off the sugars in your mouth. The bacteria produce an acid that weakens your teeth and cause cavities.  

Like most bacteria it can be transmitted from one person to another! This is especially true between caregivers and children and also happens between couples or even people living closely. Research has shown that children usually get the cavity causing bacteria from mom.

The better a parent or caregiver takes care of their teeth the less likely that they transmit the bacteria. Parents can lower the bacteria in their mouth with basic oral hygiene and visits to the dentist. Treating cavities in a parents mouth helps both the parent and child. Just like sharing other germs caregivers should avoid tasting children food, kissing children on the lips, and other actions that would cause the spread of this bacteria.

You can control the bacteria in your child's mouth by brushing and flossing regularly and visiting your dentist at least two times a year. In fact starting early helps a lot. The Academy for Pediatric dentistry advises that the first dental visit is within six months of eruption of the first tooth and no later than 12 months of age. Of course, limiting the sugar also helps so if you want to finally get rid of some of the candy we wont tell! 

If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s dental health, give any of our three locations 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. Don't forget to LIKE us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter for updates and industry news.

#TestimonialTuesday - Recent Patient Reviews!

 www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

Why should you choose (and recommend to your friends) Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental for all of your child’s dental care needs?

Our testimonials speak for themselves!

"My son was crying - obviously it's his first time - but the staff and Doc were so nice he didn't cry for long! Very clean and colorful!! I loved it!" - Emiliano C.

"Everything was amazing. All of the doctors had such patience with me, talked over everything to great extent. Even called to follow up on my son that night." - Kristopher M.

"As usual, the entire staff at Adelberg is polite, professional and great with the kids. Corinne, James' hygenist is always helpful about how to keep his teeth clean with all the extra "stuff" in his mouth these days. We will miss her when she is out on maternity." - James C.

"The office is beautiful and the staff and Dr were professional. I'm confident that my daughter is receiving the best care possible. I highly recommend this office." - Maelyn J.

"Always a pleasure to come here. Years ago, after a horrifying experience at another local pediatric dentist, we saw an ad for Adelberg Pediatric. We met Dr. Erika on our first visit. So wonderful, would never go anywhere else."  - Evren A.

“Dr. Jeanie was amazing with my son who had 2 baby front teeth pulled - she talked to him the entire time keeping him distracting from what was taking place and the next thing we knew BOTH teeth were removed THANK YOU !!!” - Michael M.

Thank you to all who have shared their experiences with us, we always strive to care for our patients as if they were our own children and love hearing that they had a pleasant dental experience in our offices. Have you visited recently and have a story to share? Feel free to leave a review on one of the below sites!

• Google+ Nesconset
• Google+ Massapequa Park
• Google+ West Islip
• Facebook

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. 

How to Handle a Dental Emergency

 www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

 

You may be able to rattle off your evacuation plan in case of emergency, but do you know what to do in case of a dental emergency? Accidents can happen at any time, regardless if your child plays high contact sports or not. 

Be prepared for anything! Learn more about the different emergencies you may face below:

Toothache - While a toothache may not be an emergency, it can still cause your child distress. First find the root of the toothache and look for swelling or any discolorations on the tooth. Help your child floss the area and rinse with a warm salt-water solution. If your child’s face is swollen, apply a cold compress. 

Mouth abrasion (cheek, tongue, lip) - Apply pressure to the area with a gauze to control bleeding and a cold compress if there is swelling. If the bleeding cannot be controlled, contact us or visit the emergency room.

Chipped tooth - Chipped teeth can range from minor to severe fractures. If your child fractures a tooth, have them rinse with warm water and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. Minor chips don’t always need treatment, though we may polish and smooth out the area. More severe chips can cause pain and expose nerves - contact us immediately for treatment.

Knocked out tooth - If this is a baby tooth, in most cases professional care isn’t necessary. For a permanent tooth, you’ll need to act fast. Find the tooth and hold it by the crown(top). If the tooth is not dirty or fractured, put it back in the socket and have your child bite down on gauze to hold it in place. If this proves difficult or the tooth is dirty, put it in a cup of milk and visit us immediately.

No matter what dental emergency you may experience, remember to stay calm to comfort your child. For aid with the above or general questions and concerns - we’re here to help. Please feel free to contact us at any of our 3 locations or visit us online to schedule an appointment!

#TuesdayTips - for Healthy Holiday Smiles While Traveling

 www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

Holiday break is upon us and whether you are heading out of town to celebrate the holidays or off to a warmer destination for a winter vacation, here are some simple tooth travel tips to help keep your child’s smile intact!

Schedule your dental visits! It’s better to plan ahead and get all needed dental visits in before the flurry of excitement truly begins. With the holidays comes time off from school, visiting family or taking trips to ring in the New Year. Don’t wait for a dental emergency to happen to bring your child to the dentist, give us a call and schedule an appointment today!

Pack a travel dental kit! This is a fun for children to take their oral hygiene with them on the go! Pack travel sized toothpaste, floss, mouthwash, and a toothbrush. Consider some disposable toothbrushes for in-between brushing on the go.

Protect your brush! Extra handling, coming in and out of luggage, and hotel bathrooms can provide bacteria the extra opportunity to find its way onto the bristles, and in turn - the mouth. Be sure to choose an anti-bacterial cover to keep the brush safe and clean from any dirt or germs it could come in contact with.

For more tips on keeping a healthy smile through the holidays, visit our previous blog post here » 

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!

Dental Care for Children on the Spectrum

 www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

For parents with a child on the autism spectrum, it’s not uncommon to hear that little things - like a hair cut or a dental visit can pose a bit of a challenge. However, choosing to avoid dental visits until there’s a potential emergency can lead to even more dental work down the line.

But as you know, dental care isn’t only about dental visits - it also includes making sure teeth are being cleaned at home, 2 minutes, 2 times a day. Work to get your child into this lifelong, healthy habit using these tips, courtesy of the New York Times:

• Start early - Once diagnosed with autism, introduce your child to the idea of the toothbrush. Additionally, begin dental visits early - our special needs patients tend to benefit from repeat exposure to an environment.
• Take it slow- Your child may not feel comfortable with the toothbrush or an electric toothbrush immediately - and this is OK. Begin brushing one tooth, for one second. A few days later you may be able to brush for 2 seconds.
• Reward - Try a small reward each time your child allows the toothbrush in their mouth. Not a candy reward, perhaps a snippet of their favorite song on your phone or iPod.
• Provide choices - Let your child have some control. Offer a selection of toothpastes or brushes that your child can select from before the brushing begins.
• Watch the amount of toothpaste - A smear is enough to get the job done. You want to make sure excess paste isn’t on the brush, especially for children who have a hard time spitting it out. When your child begins brushing on their own, a wall mounted toothpaste dispenser may aid in providing the appropriate amount each time.

At Adelberg and Montalvan Pediatric Dental, we are devoted to providing the best mental and dental care for all of our patients, including those with special healthcare needs. Our doctors are specially trained in special needs dentistry and are committed to providing your child with the attention and care they deserve to create a positive dental experience.

Majority of our special needs patients are treated in the chair, awake - but we also offer in house sedation when needed. If you have a child on the spectrum, or with other special needs, please give us a call to come in for a walk through. You and your child will be able to visit the office prior to having an actual ‘appointment.’ During that visit you can meet the dentists, tour the office, sit in the dental chair and ask any questions or concerns you may have. Contact us for more information today.

Easter on Long Island!

 www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

 

Vibrant colored eggs, peeps, and chocolate bunnies -- Easter is here! Looks like clear skies are on the horizon, perfect for the Easter Bunny to hop all over Long Island hiding those eggs.

If you’re looking for things to do with the family this holiday weekend, check out some of these local Easter happenings below:

Easter Egg hunts – On Long Island this Saturday April 19th, and Easter Sunday kids will be looking for treat-filled Easter eggs. Farmingdale, Cold Spring Harbor, Smithtown, and East Meadow are just a handful of places that will be hosting an Easter egg hunt adventure. Be sure to check out MommyPoppins to find out where and when the hunt is happening!

 

Spring Festival – Come on down to Smithtown tomorrow, April 19th, from 12-4pm and enjoy a fun-filled day of relay races, face painting, egg hunts and a special appearance by the Easter Bunny! For more information click here »

Peter Rabbit Performances - At 2pm at the Studio Theatre in Lindenhurst tomorrow, take the kids to go see a musical performance! Or head to Port Jefferson at Theatre Three to watch the famous tale.

 

Have another event in mind? Share with us on our Facebook page! Hoppy Easter!

Adelberg Montalvan Has Gone PINK

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental and Orthodontics

www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

In addition to Orthodontic Health Month, Dental Hygiene Month, Pumpkin Carving, Halloween Fun, Fall leaves, and everything else October has to offer, it is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It's important we take the time and effort to help spread awareness to save more lives of women around the world. 

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. Did you know you may be 11 times more likely to develop breast cancer if you have poor oral health or gum disease? (Total Health)

In general, gum disease causes inflammation, a marker for generalized ill-health. The inflammation is due to bacteria that forms plaque on the gums and teeth. This same bacteria can result in the Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegatocirus - both of which can contribute to the incidence of breast cancer.

This is why regular dental visits are important to monitor the health and condition of your teeth and gums.

 

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month we have "Gone Pink" at all of our locations. We are using disposable 'pink' products to support Breast Cancer Awareness and research with some of the cost of the items being donated to Susan G Komen.

So to all the survivors and fighters, we are with you!

 

How are you helping spread awareness? Share with us on our Facebook page!

 

Image Source: Google / Susan G. Komen

 

 

Our NEW West Islip Location is Now Open!

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental and Orthodontics

www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

 

Our NEW West Islip Location is Now Open!

The day we've been waiting for has finally arrived, our third location is officially open. You are now able to book appointments at our new West Islip location - located at 615 Montauk Highway West Islip, NY 11795. You can also move appointments over if this location is more convenient for you.

 

 

Call us today to make your appointments - we can't wait to show you around! 631.661.7337

Get directions HERE!