The Best Summer Snacks for Healthy Teeth

Summer is here! We’re ready for summer BBQs, picnics and trips to the beach, are you? Although we love the warm months, they are often also a time when indulge in sweet treats.

Fortunately, there are ways to enjoy the summer and keep your teeth healthy — even at summer get togethers. Here are a few of our favorite summer snacks that aren’t just delicious — they’re good for your teeth, too!

Summer Snacks for Healthy Teeth:

Say Cheese

Cheese is low in sugar and rich in calcium and phosphorous. The combination helps strengthen and protect your tooth enamel. Whether you’re adding it to your burger or you’re indulging in a cheese platter, you’re strengthening your teeth!

Serve Crunchy Fruits

Pack your summer fruit salads full of crunchy fruits like grapes and seedless watermelon! Not only are these full of juices that keep you hydrated, but the extra crunch can help other foods from getting stuck in your teeth.

Fresh Salads

Add fibrous, crunchy vegetables like celery to your next summer salad. These vegetables naturally clean your teeth as you chew!

Fruit Infused Water

Stay away from sugary sodas and concentrated juices and make your own refreshing summer drink! Add a few slices of lemon or lime to your water, or get creative with berries and other flavorful fruits! However — remember that water is truly the best way to stay hydrated on a hot summer day.

If you have any questions about how to care for your child’s smile health — or it’s time to schedule their next bi-annual cleaning & exam, do not hesitate to reach out to one of our offices.

Tooth-Friendly Camping Tips for National Camping Month

It’s National Camping Month!

With the school year quickly coming to an end, many families will be looking for ways to get back to nature and spend time outdoors. However, even if you are “roughing it,” you will want to make sure that you are getting the oral health care that you need! Here are a few tips to help your teeth clean and healthy while camping this summer.

Camping Tips:

• Find a Bathroom (if there is one)- If you want to enjoy the wilderness, but still want a few amenities — choose a campground with a bathroom! There will be plenty of running water for you to brush your teeth for two minutes, two times a day.
• Bring a Water Jug - If you aren’t going to be near a bathroom with running water, be sure to bring plenty of water with you — and an extra jug for cleaning your teeth and washing dishes!
• Keep Your Toothbrush & Toothpaste Sealed Tight - The minty smell in most toothpastes and mouthwashes can attract unwanted animals — like bears. Make sure you store your toothpaste in a well-sealed container.
• Brush Your Teeth Away from the Campsite - You will also want to brush your teeth away from the campsite. As with storing your toothpaste, you don’t want to attract animals close to your camp.

If you have any questions about how to care for your child’s smile health — or it’s time to schedule their next bi-annual cleaning & exam, do not hesitate to reach out to one of our offices.

Protect Your Teeth with Mouth Guards During Summer Sports

Beautiful days like today are perfect for playing summer sports — but if you plan on heading outside, you’ll want to make sure that you have the proper protection. In addition to helmets, knee pads, and sunscreen, you’ll want to make sure that you protect your teeth, too. Here are a few summer sports you’ll want to make sure that your child is wearing a mouth guard for.

Wear Mouth Guards During These Summer Sports:

• Beach Volleyball - Although beach volleyball is played in the sand, you’ll want to make sure that you mouth is protected from unexpected spikes.
• Baseball/Softball - While this is not a contact sport, you want your teeth to be protected in case you are hit by a stray ball.
• Horseback Riding - In addition to wearing protective riding gear, you’ll want to make sure that your teeth are protected.
• Bicycling - Even careful bicycle riders can hit unexpected bumps in the road! Be careful when riding and wear a mouth guard to help protect your teeth.
• Skateboarding - Just like with bicycling, you’ll want to make sure that you are prepared for unexpected cracks and bumps in the pavement.

While there are store brand mouth guards on the market, custom mouth guards will provide your child with a better fit. Custom mouth guards will fully protect their lips, gums, teeth and arches — and they will be more comfortable when worn. This means that your child will be more likely to wear their mouth guard for comfort and protection when playing their favorite summer sport.

If you have any questions about how to care for your teeth this summer, do not hesitate to reach out to our office. We are here to help your little ones keep their teeth healthy year-round.

Massapequa Park: 56-798-1111

Nesconset: 631-360-7337

West Islip: 631-661-7337

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

As careful as we are, any parent knows that accidents happen. That’s why it’s so important to know what to do when a dental emergency occurs. It could be mean the difference between saving and losing a tooth! These are a few of the most common dental emergencies that kids (and often adults) experience — and what you can do.

Common Dental Emergencies:

• Tooth Ache
• Broken Tooth
• Knocked Out Tooth
• Bleeding After Baby Tooth Falls Out
• Cut Cheek, Tongue or Lip
• Broken Jaw
• Canker Sore
• Cold Sore

So, what do you do if your child experiences one of these dental emergencies? Here are a few steps to follow:

1. Check for Bleeding - You will want to treat a dental injury just like you would a scraped knee. Check for any bleeding, apply pressure, and clean the wound if needed.
2. Assess the Damage - Take a step back and assess the severity of your child’s injury. If an adult or permanent tooth has been knocked out, be careful not to touch the root, and place the tooth back in your child’s mouth.
3. Give Us a Call - After you child experiences a dental emergency, you’ll want to schedule a visit to the dentist as soon as possible. It is important to consult a dentist even if the injuries aren’t severe, to make sure that the teeth haven’t been damaged or loosened.

In the event of a dental emergency, please call one of our offices below. During our hours, your child will be seen that day. We also have after hours with a doctor on call. You will speak to a doctor, not a call service.

Massapequa Park: 56-798-1111

Nesconset: 631-360-7337

West Islip: 631-661-7337

What Are the Benefits to Choosing Invisalign?

Invisalign® aligners are one of the best ways to cosmetically improve your smile alignment. They are custom designed for your dental needs and allow you to improve your smile without traditional metal orthodontic braces. But are they the right choice for you? Here are a few of the benefits to choosing Invisalign® aligners.

Invisalign® Benefits:

They are custom designed for your smile.

Invisalign® aligners are custom designed for your unique smile. Your orthodontist will be able to create a series of aligners that are custom crafted for your smile goals. Over time, these aligners will gradually align your smile.

They are practically invisible.

One of the main benefits to choosing Invisalign® aligners is that they are nearly invisible when placed over your teeth. You don’t have to worry about others noticing when you are wearing them in person or in photos.

They are removable.

Unlike with traditional braces, Invisalign® aligners are completely removable. They can and should be removed when eating and brushing your teeth — which means that you don’t have to alter your habits when aligning your smile.

If you are interested in learning more about whether or not Invisalign® is the right orthodontic choice for your smile needs, do not hesitate to contact our office. We can help you determine how to improve your smile during a consultation. We are happy to answer any questions that you may have about our West Islip, Massapequa Park or Nesconset locations.

How to Prepare Your Child for Their First Dental Visit

Is it time for your little one’s first trip to the dentist?

It’s recommended that kids visit the dentist after their first birthday, when their baby teeth start to grow in! Although these baby teeth will eventually fall out, it’s important to instill good dental habits from a young age, and ensure that any dental problems are addressed early on. If your child is nervous about their first dental visit (or you are!), here are a few tips on how to prepare them (and you) for their first trip.

How to Prep for Your First Dental Visit:

• Read them a story. There are plenty of picture books about visiting the dentist — including The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist and The Crocodile and the Dentist. Choose your favorite! These books will help your child become comfortable with the idea of visiting the dentist for their smile health.
• If you are positive, they’ll be positive! Explain to your little one that the dentist is there to help them grow up to be strong and healthy! Using positive words and staying relaxed will help set the tone for your child’s visit. Although you may not realize it, they can pick up on how you are feeling, too!
• Treat them after the visit. After a successful dentist trip, treat your child to a trip to the playground or with another activity that they enjoy! This reward system will help them associate positive experiences with trips to the dentist, leading to successful dental visits in the future.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out. We are happy to answer any questions that you may have about our West Islip, Massapequa Park or Nesconset locations — and what you can expect during your visit.

When Do Children's Teeth Fall Out?

The moment when your child loses his or her first tooth is an exciting time in their life — and in yours! But when can parents expect their little ones to lose their first, second, third, or 20th baby tooth? We’ve broken down the general time range for you below, so that you know when your child will start to lose each of their baby teeth and grow in healthy, strong adult teeth.

When to Expect Your Child’s Lost Teeth:

6 to 7 Years Old

During this time range, they still start to lose their central incisors. These are also known as their two front teeth! They will also lose their central incisors, or the two front bottom teeth.

7 to 8 Years Old

In this age range, your child will lose their lateral incisors. These teeth are the ones right next to their two front teeth.

9 to 11 Years Old

This is when your child will lose their first molar! These are the teeth in the back of your child’s mouth.

10 to 12 Years Old

Canines, also known as cuspids, are next on the list of lost teeth. As you might guess, canines are the “pointy” teeth right next to to the lateral incisors — the third tooth from the middle. During this age range, they will also lose their second molars.

If you have any questions about your child’s oral health, do not hesitate to contact our office. We are here to help keep tiny teeth beautiful and healthy!