Celebrate Fruits & Veggies - More Matters Month!

 

Having enough fruits and veggies in your diet is not only important for your oral health, but for your overall health as well. Unfortunately, many adults and children do not eat their recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables daily.

September is Fruits and Veggies - More Matters Month, a health initiative meant to raise awareness about proper nutrition and encourage families to make small changes to improve their diet. Here’s how you can add more fruits and veggies to your meals! 

1. Add more fruits and veggies to your family’s favorite dishes! Adding them to your favorite dishes helps make them a routine part of meals, not a side serving that can be pushed to a corner of the plate. Grab some fresh, frozen, or canned veggies and add them into a homemade soup, pasta dish, omelet, or stir fry!
2. Enhance your salads. Instead of just leafy greens, try adding some peas, corn, or canned beans into your family’s salads. Fruit is also a delicious addition. Try throwing in some sliced pineapple or oranges to bring a special sweetness to salads that are a hit with your child’s taste buds.
3. Finish your dinner with fresh cut fruit. Sliced strawberries make for an excellent, healthy desert! They’re great to consume on their own or on top of low-fat yogurt. Bonus - strawberries are a natural tooth whitener!

For additional tips to eating more fruits and vegetables, click here! 

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.

A Brief History of the Toothbrush

 

We say it all the time, brushing for two minutes twice daily is your best defense for keeping mouth monsters at bay. But what did people do before they had their trusted tooth tool? Turns out, the concept of a toothbrush has been around for longer than you might have thought. 

Check out our infographic for a brief history of the toothbrush below!

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! If you have any questions about dental friendly diets give us a call or ask during your next appointment. We have three locations: Nesconset, Massapequa Park, and West Islip.

Family Friendly Events This Weekend (September 17th - 18th)

 

Dare we say it - it’s starting to feel like fall around Long Island. Start getting into the autumn spirit with these family fall festivities and other happenings this weekend:

Fall Festival at Hicks - Westbury
Saturday & Sunday
Otto the Ghost is back in action for the first time this season this Saturday! Enjoy a hayride down a decorated trail, visit some farm animals, and enjoy fresh roasted corn and other fall treats.

2nd Annual Mid-Autumn Festival - Oyster Bay
Saturday
The 2nd Annual Mid-Autumn Festival will take place at Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park this Saturday. Enjoy cultural exhibits, arts & crafts booths, pony rides, and non stop entertainment. Pre-sale admission $25 per car; tickets at the door $35 per car.

LI FamFest - Brookville
Saturday
This Saturday, kids can play and parents can learn together at LI FamFest. From 10a - 3p head to Long Island University’s Pratt Recreation Center and check out many Back to School exhibitors such as Birthday party venues, after school programs, special needs professionals and more!

Fall Family Carnival - East Hills
Sunday [rain date Sunday, September 25th]
Celebrate the start of the fall season at Camp Jacobson with rides, games, barbecue, refreshments, community service projects and more! Free and open to the community. 

Italian Festival - Hempstead
Sunday
Head to the 24th Annual Italian Festival taking place at Hofstra University. The festival features food, vendors, crafts, cultural exhibits, and much more. Children’s activities include: bounce house, upper show, face painting and magic show. 

For a full list of this weekend's events - head to Mommy Poppin's»

If you have any questions about how to improve your child's oral health please give our offices 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.

The Importance of Mouthguards in Youth Sports

 

Youths in competitive sports are at an all time high, with roughly 25 million kids under 18 participating in some type of organized sports program annually. Through sports, kids learn the importance of teamwork, physical education, and good sportsmanship. But along with all the great opportunities sports bring, there remains one downfall -- the occasional injury. 

Unfortunately, injuries happen. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), sports involvement accounts for nearly 36% of all unintentional injuries during childhood and adolescence. But don’t let that statistic scare you into keeping your child out of sports. Instead, learn the ways to best keep them safe! 

Thanks to mouthguards, dental injuries are among the easiest to prevent. Reports published by the National Youth Sports Foundation for Safety show that an athlete is 60 times more likely to sustain an oral injury if not wearing a protective mouthguard, especially in high contact sports, such as football or wrestling. 

In addition to protecting the teeth, gums, and jaw, mouthguards also work to reduce the severity of a concussion. A study published in the May 2014 issue of General Dentistry found that athletes wearing store bought mouthguards were twice as likely to suffer a mild concussion or traumatic brain injury, than those who wore custom fitted mouthguards. Don't get us wrong, any mouthguard is better than NO mouthguard. As long as your child has one in during play, they help absorb energy from impact - reducing the chance of concussions. However, just like a football player needs a proper, snug fitting helmet, your child needs a custom mouthguard to truly protect their mouth and brain.
 

Your child's safety is of utmost importance to us, which is why we offer dedicated mouthguard centers at each of our Long Island locations. Whether you're our current patient or have just stumbled across our blog - we welcome all to ensure your athlete has a custom fit mouthguard in time for their next big game! Contact us for more information!

[INFOGRAPHIC] Tooth Friendly School Lunches

 

Did you know that over the course of your child’s school years (Pre-K through 12), you will have packed close to 3,000 lunch boxes? Smart snacks and proper nutrition are not only key to fueling your kids through the day but equally for keeping smiles healthy and bright.

Make sure this school year you pack some simple, tooth friendly alternatives! Check out our infographic and additional info below:

Pack less:

• Cookies & Chips: Prepackaged treats such as these are often loaded with preservatives, sugars, and more.
• Dried Fruits: Seems healthy, but dried fruits are like sticky candies. They can adhere to teeth for extended periods of time.
• Juice & Soda: Sugary beverages and the acid in soda are known for weakening tooth enamel.
  

Pack more:

• Fruits & Veggies: Crisp, water dense fruits and veggies are not only great for hydration - but they also help stimulate the production of saliva (which protects tooth enamel and prevents decay!)
• Low-Fat Cheese: The casein protein found in cheese helps to fortify the tooth’s surface and protect against cavities. It’s low in sugar and acid, and high in calcium.
• Nuts: Many nuts provide vitamins and minerals that help teeth! 
• Water: The best beverage for healthy teeth - even add some fruit slices to change its taste!
  

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! If you have any questions about dental friendly diets give us a call or ask during your next appointment. We have three locations: Nesconset, Massapequa Park, and West Islip.

Long Island Labor Day Weekend Events 2016

 

Labor Day Weekend is here! Time for one last hurrah before the kids go back to school and full time work resumes. If you and your family are looking for a way to celebrate this weekend, check out some of these events happening around LI:

Lighthouse Music Fest - Huntington Harbor
Saturday
Have access to a boat (or other water craft)? Take the family out to the ONLY music festival in the world held on top of a lighthouse! Huntington’s annual Lighthouse Music Festival returns this Saturday from 11am - 8pm in the Huntington Harbor.

Annual Fire Island Labor Day Sand Creation Contest - Wilderness Visitor Center Shirley
Saturday and Sunday
This weekend, let the sands of Fire Island spark your creativity during this annual end of summer sand sculpting contest. This year’s theme is National Parks, all ages and skills welcome.

The Hampton Classic Horse Show - Bridgehampton
Friday-Sunday
Calling all equine lovers! Attend one of the largest outdoor horse shows in the US - the Hampton Classic Horse Show. Arrive mid-morning to fully enjoy the main show jumping events of the day, the Boutiques Garden (shopping area) and the Exhibition Area Kids' Tent. General admission is $10 per person or $20 per card-load.

Shinnecock Powwow -  Shinnecock Reservation, Southampton
Friday-Monday
The largest Native American Gathering on the East Coast - the Shinnecock Powwow returns for its 70th year. Beginning today through Monday, enjoy ceremonial dances, native foods, arts & crafts, and a fire lighting at sunset. $15 adults, $10 seniors/children ages 6-12/Veterans with Military ID, Children under 5 are FREE.

Are you planning to attend any fun events or activities? Share with us on our Facebook page! We hope everyone has a safe and fun Labor Day Weekend!

Healthy Back to School Habits

 

Readjusting to back to school routines can be a bit chaotic and sometimes healthy living can fall by the wayside. But with some simple changes, this can be avoided!

From healthy eats to family physical activities, check out these tips for keeping your kids on the right track this school year:

Eat healthy.
Hey parents - don’t forget your ABCs: Always check the circulars for discounts on healthy foods, Buy produce in season to cut costs, and Compare brands and package sizes to find the best buy. Check over the Nutrition Facts label to make sure you are choosing foods low in calories, saturated and trans fats, sodium, and sugars to help keep mouth monsters at bay. Pro tip: bring the kids food shopping with you so you can start teaching them how to make healthy choices (and also have extra hands to help pack up the car!).

Reduce screen time.
Kids spend a large part of their day sitting in a classroom, some of which incorporate technology already (iPads and computers). When they get home, help minimize time spent in front of a screen by encouraging more time spent as a family. How? For starters, be a good role model! Practice what you preach and be sure to reduce your own screen time for some motivation. Otherwise, enforce some simple house rules - like promising to eat dinner as a family without the TV on in the background.

Get active.
Another way to help reduce screen time is to encourage more outdoor fun! Whether it’s playing a sport, going for a bike ride, or walking the kids to school - get the whole family involved. Keep track of how your family spends time for a week and then look for 30 minute time slots where everyone can be active together. Take your dog on a walk as a family each weekend, play a game of basketball before dinner, or rake leaves together once fall sets in. 

For more information on the above, visit The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and check out their We Can! initiative.

If you have any questions about how to improve your child's oral health please give our offices 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.