3 Dental Musts to Have in Your Phone

Technology is a wonderful thing. Not only does it allow us to stay connected and in the know, but it has afforded us the opportunity to stay organized as well. Nowadays, folks keep everything at the ready in their phones, and these dental musts should be no different!

1. Booked Appointments: Gone are the days of getting that dreaded “you missed your child’s appointment” voicemail. Or worse — remembering your child’s appointment just in time for it to be too late. While you’re scheduling your next visit, either over the phone or in the office, plug it right into your phone’s calendar feature. That way, you’ll be more likely to remember!
   


2. Scheduled Reminders: Sure, you could schedule a reminder for your child’s appointment, but let’s take it a step further. How about setting alarms to remind you and your children when to brush or floss? The world is a busy place! We know brushing and flossing can sometimes fall to the wayside, but scheduling reminders in your phone can only help.
   


3. Our Phone Number: Emergencies happen, which is why it’s so important to have your dentist’s number on hand, just in case. Here at Adelberg Montalvan, we’ve got offices in Massapequa Park (516-798-1111), Nesconset (631-360-7337) and West Islip (631-661-7337). Why not plug all three into your phonebook right now? That way, you’re covered no matter where you are on Long Island if a dental disaster strikes.

Is it time to schedule your child’s bi-annual cleaning and exam? If so, reach out to one of our three Long Island locations today! We offer pediatric dental services in Massapequa Park, Nesconset, and West Islip.

Why Are Bedtime Routines So Important?

Tucking your little ones into bed at night can be hectic if you don’t have a routine in place. That’s why it’s imperative that you create a bedtime routine from a young age — and stick to it! Here’s why:

Bedtime routines promote healthy sleep patterns.

Studies have shown that parents who set a regular routine for winding down at the end of the day set their children up for success in the sleep department. Essentially, it trains their body when it should be awake and when it should sleep, resulting in well-rested, well-behaved angels!

Bedtime routines promote healthy living, period.

Being well-rested means your child’s immune system will be in better shape to ward off illness. But, that’s not all! According to NPR, “a survey of 1,000 children showed that irregular bedtimes are linked with difficulties such as hyperactivity, acting out and being emotionally withdrawn.” So, a healthy bedtime routine can promote a more alert, level-headed child.

Bedtime routines teach your children to be responsible.

As they get older, your children will undoubtedly be given more and more responsibility to manage. So, why not start them young? Getting children in the habit of making a routine and sticking to the tasks at hand will only help them be a responsible adult in the long run.

Bedtime routines make remembering to brush easy.

Let’s face it, tooth brushing is probably not your child’s (or your, if we’re being honest) favorite task. But, it’s an important one nonetheless. Adding tooth brushing to your child’s evening repertoire will ensure they are brushing before bedtime and will set them up for a lifetime of dental well-being too!

Speaking of setting schedules, is it time to schedule your child’s bi-annual cleaning and exam? If so, reach out to one of our three Long Island locations today! We offer pediatric dental services in Massapequa Park, Nesconset, and West Islip.

How to Tame Your Sweet Tooth

With Halloween right around the corner, there is one thing on every child’s mind — trick-or-treating! However, as all of us parents know, sugary sweets may taste delicious, but they aren’t good for our teeth. If you’re struggling to tame your child’s sweet tooth this Halloween season, here are a few tips to keep in mind.

Celebrate with Tooth-Friendly, but Festive Treats

There are ways to celebrate the Halloween season without indulging in sugary candies. Make spooky Halloween smiles with slices of apples, peanut butter and “teeth” (marshmallows). Create a fruit platter in the shape of a jack-o-lantern with baby carrots — or make a jack-o-lantern yourself out of a pepper.

Snack on Other “Sweet” Treats

Certain fall flavors like cinnamon, vanilla and honey taste sweet, but are lower in sugar. This is a festive way to trick your taste buds into thinking you’re eating something sweet. Sprinkle cinnamon on top of pancakes or waffles — get creative!

Set a Good Example for Your Kids

Talk to your kids about the importance of taking good care of their teeth and how eating too much candy is bad for their smile health. But don’t just talk to them — set the example! Kid learn their habits from us.

Make Sure That They Brush!

If your kids do indulge in candies this Halloween, make sure they do it in one sitting, not snacking throughout the day (of course, don’t eat too much candy in one sitting!). Eating throughout the day puts your teeth at more of a risk of tooth decay. Make sure that they brush after they’re done!

Is it time to schedule your child’s fall dental cleaning? Give one of our three Long Island offices a call! We are here to help protect your child’s teeth not just during the Halloween season — but year-round.

What To Do About Chapped Lips

With the fall season in full swing, and the temperatures starting to drop here on the island, many of us will be suffering from a common cold weather frustration — chapped lips. We know how frustrating (and painful) chapped lips can be, especially when they crack. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to help your little ones (and you) prevent chapped lips.

How to Prevent Chapped Lips:

• Drink Plenty of Water - The weather may be cooler, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be drinking plenty of water every day! When you’re dehydrated, your lips can dry out.
• Apply Early & Often - Make sure that you and your little ones have Chapstick or another moisturizer on them during the day to make keeping lips moisturized easier.
• Cover Your Mouth Outdoors- Cover your lips with a scarf when you go outside on particularly cold days.
• Use a Humidifier - Another great way to make sure that your lips stay moisturized as the humidity levels drop is to put a humidifier in your child’s room. This is a great way to provide the moisture they need, especially during the winter. Note: Just make sure to keep the humidifier clean and free of mold/mildew.
• Avoid Licking Your Lips - Remind your little ones that while licking their lips might seem like a good idea at the time, licking your lips will actually dry out your lips over time.

If you have any questions about how to care for your smile health, reach out to one of our three Long Island offices! We are here to help keep your children’s teeth beautiful and healthy year-round.

Why Are Pacifier Habits Bad?

Young children love pacifiers, but while they may be comforting, they do pose a few dangers when it comes to developing a healthy smile as an adult. The effects are actually very similar to thumb-sucking, but that doesn't mean you have to avoid giving your baby a pacifier all together! We will dive a bit deeper into how it affects teeth and what parents should do instead, below.

How do pacifiers affect development?As your child's mouth develops, the jaw grows around anything that is fixed in place — like developing teeth. However, with extended pacifier use, the jaw development becomes inhibited, as the body starts to also develop around the “fixed” pacifier. The front teeth may tip forward around the pacifier, teeth can become crooked and they may develop bite problems.

What should you do instead?

Pacifiers are still a safe and comforting solution for babies. In fact, they are highly recommended at a young age! However, it's important that parents eventually wean them off. Children shouldn't be reliant on pacifiers by the age of two,  when they had is beginning to develop more fully.
When you start to wean them off, be sure to praise your child when he or she doesn't use a pacifier and use a reward system to encourage good behavior!If you have any questions at all about how to care for your child's smile, do not hesitate to reach out to one of our three long island offices. We are here to answer all of your questions and ensure that your child's smile is beautiful and healthy.

What is Xylitol?

We are always looking for new ways to help our patient protect their teeth. And while brushing for two minutes twice a day, flossing, and scheduling your bi-annual dental cleanings and exams are essential to staying on track, there are extra things that you can do to help prevent tooth decay at home. By eating the right foods, reducing the amount of sugar that you eat on a daily basis, and drinking plenty of water, you can keep your teeth bright, white, and healthy. But there is one surprising way to keep your smile healthy — xylitol!

What exactly is xylitol?

Xylitol’s name may sound complicated, but more simply put — it is a natural sweetener. It naturally occurs in many fruits and vegetables and is even produced by the human body!

How does it work?

Xylitol’s main benefit is that it interacts with bacteria. Since xylitol is non-fermentable, bacteria  are unable to thrive or produce acids when in its presence. Xylitol also has an anti-adhesive quality - this means that it makes it  more difficult for bacteria to adhere to your teeth.

What contains xylitol?

Look for gums that contain xylitol! This is a great way to safely chew gum throughout the day while protecting your teeth. There are also xylitol toothpastes, mints, and floss.

Do you have any questions about how to care for your child’s teeth? Is it time to schedule a dental cleaning? Give our office a call! We are here to keep your little one’s smiling year-round!

Weekend Events on Long Island

September flew by — but that doesn’t mean that you can’t spend the last weekend of the month having fun with your little ones! There are still many weekends ahead to spend enjoying all of the awesome fall events happening across the island.

Visit the Babylon Fall Festival

Hay rides, pumpkin picking, petting zoo animals, and more! There is no better way to have family-friendly fall fun this weekend than at the annual outdoor Fall Festival this Saturday. The best part? The festival is FREE to get into. Just head over between noon and 3PM on September 30th.

~12 minutes from our Massapequa Park location

Watch Man’s Best Friend Compete for Best in Show!

Love puppies? Watch dogs of all breeds compete for ribbons and bragging rights this Saturday. There will be plenty of pups all around. And if you have a furry friend of your own, you can stock up on new dishes, leashes and treats from the vendors at the event. Admission is $10, $20 per card load. Learn more about the Suffolk County Kennel Club here.

~11 minutes from our Nesconset location

San gennaro Feast of the Hamptons

Didn’t have time to make it out to the city for the San Gennaro feast? Head out east for the San Gennaro feast of the Hamptons! There will be food, wine, rides, artisan vendors and children’s activities for the little ones. Admission is free both Saturday & Sunday.

~47 minutes from our Nesconset location

Get Some Exercise in the Run in the Diva 5K

Looking to spend some time exercising outdoors — as a princess? Grab your boa and tutu and head over to Eisenhower Park. The Diva 5K race starts at 7:45 AM.

~20 minutes from our Massapequa Park location

See the Biggest Pumpkins on Long Island

Head over to Hicks Nurseries this Sunday to see what pumpkin weighs in the biggest. Last year’s winner weighed in at a whopping 731 pounds! Admission is FREE.

~2- minutes from our Massapequa Park location