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.

#TBT - The History of Braces

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When braces were first invented, they typically were reserved for those of wealth, or extreme cases of orthodontic deformations. Now, they are a routine dental procedure that both children and adults undergo to improve their oral health.

For this Throw Back Thursday, let’s take a look at a brief timeline of how they came to be what they are today:

• Braces seem to date back to ancient times. Archeologists have found many mummified remains in and around Egypt of people with metal bands and catgut around their teeth, dating back to 300 BC
• True progress wasn’t really seen until the 18th century when the concept of orthodontic braces started to appear in medical journals. Pierre Fauchard (the father of modern dentistry) published a book known as “The Surgeon Dentist” which documented numerous general dentistry topics, with a specific chapter devoted to orthodontics. This chapter explored ways to straighten teeth, including a concept involving the “Bandeau.” This device looked like a horseshoe, and would be inserted into a patient’s mouth to keep the natural arch of the teeth and mouth in place.
• Further along, in 1819 - the wire crib was invented, an early model of the dental brace we know today. In the same century, gum elastics were also used and X-rays were incorporated into orthodontic procedures.
• The first use of the word “braces” wasn’t until the early 1900s around the same time that Edward Angle, the father of American orthodontics, devised a system that classified anomalies of tooth positions and invented appliances and surgical techniques for their treatment. This system is still in effect today!

Braces have come a long way from using catgut to shift teeth into proper alignment. Even with all the advancements in these last 3,000 years - orthodontists predict the popularity of orthodontic treatment will only increase as the cost and length of treatment time decreases!

If you're seeking orthodontic treatment for your child, consult with one of our orthodontists here at Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental & Orthodontics. Let us help you identify and reduce problems early on to make sure your child’s orthodontic experience is easier in the long run! Call us today!

How to Teach Your Teens the Importance of Brushing

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Remember how difficult it was to get your toddlers to brush their teeth? The good news is you’re now well-trained in encouraging healthy habits. The bad news is that getting tweens and teens to brush every day can be even more difficult. Teens who fail to brush regularly set themselves up for a lifetime pattern of dental neglect. That’s why it’s important to continue encouraging your older kids to take care of their oral health.

Children who are susceptible to gum disease and cavities often start seeing problems when they hit puberty as habits begin to slip. A recent Gallup survey found that a whopping 34 percent of teens only brush their teeth once a day, although the American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth at least twice a day.

Image Source: Gallup

Get your tweens and teens back on track by following these easy tips:

·       Avoid being too pushy, which can make your children less likely to brush

·       Incorporate positive forms of reinforcement and reward your teens for taking care of their oral hygiene

·       Do not use a visit to the dentist as a punishment, as it can create fear and dread

·       Practice good dental health habits to lead by example

How do you get your tweens and teens to brush their teeth twice a day? Tweet us your ideas @AM_pediatric.

The Benefits of Laser Dentistry

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We know both children and adults can be fearful of the dentist due to hearing the dreaded screeching of the drill in your ear. Luckily, we offer a product that avoids just this - and is virtually painless.

Our WaterLase dental laser allows us to gently clean out most cavities without the need of using shots. It also allows us to work on multiple teeth in multiple areas of the mouth. It is a more comfortable and overall superior treatment with less pain, fewer needles and less noise. Plus, the laser helps alleviate and eliminate painful canker sores and fever blisters, and frenectomies are done more comfortably and simply.

At Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental, we have more combined experience in laser dentistry than ANY other pediatric dental office on long island. With this advancement in laser technology, now you and your family can benefit from a new method of dental care.

Benefits of WaterLase:

• Accuracy and precision - we are able to remove tooth enamel decay (the hardest substance in the body), bone and gum tissue precisely while leaving surrounding areas unaffected
• Reduced trauma to teeth - no need to worry about hairline cracks and fractures that can be cause by high speed drills
• Less bleeding and swelling - due to its conservative cutting action, the WaterLase performs many soft tissue (gum) procedures with little or no bleeding and less post-op swelling.
• Fewer dental visits - since you often do not need shots or anesthesia, we can perform cavity preps in all areas of the mouth in just one visit
• Versatility - from decay removal, cavity preparation, root canals, smile design, gum and bone surgical procedures and many others. Let us be a one stop shop for you!

Be sure to visit WaterLase.com for more information and feel free to contact our offices for any questions or concerns you may have!

Family-Friendly Memorial Day Plans on Long Island

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Not sure what to do with the family for Memorial Day? There are lots of fun activities scheduled across Long Island for the weekend. Whether you’re looking for a fireworks show or a parade, we’ll cover it all. See below!

Fireworks:

Port Jefferson Station - Friday, May 23 - Monday, May 26
Comsewogue for Students Foundation Carnival
Fireworks display will begin at sundown each day. FREE Admission

Greenport - Saturday, May 24
Green Port High School
Fireworks will be launched at 10pm. FREE Admission

Port Washington - Saturday, May 24
North Hempstead Beach Park
Fireworks to being after sunset. $5 per vehicle

Farmingville - Saturday, May 24th
Brookhaven Town Fair and Bald Hill
Fireworks show will start after dusk. $8 per person

Parades:

Brookhaven - Monday, May 26 at 9:30am
Begins at Bellport High School, FREE Admission

Levittown - Monday, May 26 at 10am
Begins at Island Trees Middle School, FREE Admission

Smithtown - Monday, May 26 at 12pm
Begins at Main Street and Route 111, FREE Admission

Mineola - Monday, May 26 at 11am
Begins at Wilson Park, FREE Admission

Special Events:

Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach - Saturday, May 24 - Sunday, May 25, 10am - 3pm
Jones Beach State Park
US Navy Blue Angels and the US Army Golden Knights, along with civilian planes, will perform aerial stunts. FREE Admission, $10 parking

Navy and marine Helicopter Landing - Saturday, May 24, 10am
Eisenhower Park in East Meadow, FREE Admission

For more family activities scheduled for this weekend, read Newsday’s guide to Memorial Day fun on Long Island. What are your plans for the holiday weekend? Tell us at our Facebook page!