Thanksgiving Family Fun on Long Island

One week left until it’s time to carve the turkey and present your great aunt's famous green bean casserole at the Thanksgiving dinner table! If you’re anything like us, you and your family can’t wait to dig in… and maybe you don’t have to. There are plenty of pre-Thanksgiving festivities taking place on Long Island this weekend to help you and your little ones get in the giving spirit. Here are a few of our favorites:

The Massapequa Park Turkey Trot

Saturday, November 18, at 7 a.m.

It’s not too late to strap on some festive fitness gear and gobble your way to the finish line in one of our hometowns! Funds from this year’s run will benefit YES Community Counseling and the fight against drug use to promote healthy families and a safe community. There’s even a youth fun run for the little ones!

1863 Thanksgiving at Old Bethpage Village Restoration

Saturday, November 18-Sunday, November 19, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Take a step back in time, or several, to 1863! Enjoy the sights, sounds, and aromas of an old-fashioned Thanksgiving with friends, family and the historical reenactors of Old Bethpage Village Restoration. There’ll be turkeys roasting over an open fire, pumpkin pies baking in a beehive oven, and more!

2017 Native American Feast

Saturday, November 18-Sunday, November 19, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Prefer to find out what Thanksgiving with the Native Americans was like instead? Head on down to Garvies Point Museum and Preserve in Glen Cove. You and your family will get to experience Northeastern Native American culture with ancient pottery making methods, primitive fire building, on-site open fire cooking, and more!

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental provides all-encompassing pediatric dental care that will positively impact your child’s life forever. If you haven’t already scheduled your appointment, please give us a call today at one of our three locations — Massapequa Park, Nesconset or West Islip.

When Should My Child Have His First Dental Visit?

If you’re thinking you’ll wait to visit the pediatric dentist until your little one’s first full set of chompers has arrived, you’d be surprised to hear you’re terribly wrong! Studies have shown that most children don’t visit the dentist until they’re over two-years-old, but experts suggest you make that first appointment sooner rather than later.

So, when is the best time to take your wee one to the dentist?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that a child goes to the dentist by age one or within six months after the first tooth erupts.

What keeps parents from making a pediatric dental appointment?

Well, for starters, many people don’t realize the impact that early intervention has on a child’s overall oral hygiene — both mentally and physically. How your child’s baby teeth are cared for has a direct correlation on the formation of their adult teeth, and how they will learn to care for them. But that’s not all!

Why do primary teeth matter so much?

They’re going to fall out regardless, right? Sure, but having healthy primary teeth helps children learn to chew and speak properly. They also pave the way for sparkling permanent teeth and promote a healthy smile.

So, what are you waiting for? If your little one is ready for their first dental cleaning and exam at Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental, reach out to one of our three Long Island locations today! We offer pediatric dental services in Massapequa Park, Nesconset, and West Islip.

3 Things Your Pediatric Dentist Wants You to Know

We get it, life as a parent can be stressful. Fortunately, we can help take your parental dental duties out of that stress-ridden equation altogether. Remember these five pediatric dental do’s and you’ll be in better shape to cross “visit the dentist with Little Johnny” off your never-ending to-do list!

1. Don’t procrastinate that first dental exam. It may surprise you to hear it’s recommended you schedule your child’s first dental exam as early as six months after their first tooth has erupted. For most children, that timeframe lands around the age of one. Remember, the earlier you get your child in the habit of taking care of his or her teeth, the better.
   
2. General v. pediatric — the decision matters! In case you missed it, we recently explained the general v. pediatric dentist debate, and explained why you should choose a pediatric dentist all the way! In short, we’re extensively trained to treat children specifically.
   
3. Say no to soda altogether. Did you know that sugary liquid is even worse for your child’s teeth and gums than sugary solids? That’s right! So while you’re pushing candy out the door, take the soda and sugar-filled juices along with it!

Here at Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental, our main focus is the children! We work hard to make sure your child’s primary teeth are in tip-top shape in order to make way for even healthier permanent teeth. 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 Do Pediatric Dentists Differ From Family Dentists?

You may be asking yourself, “what’s the benefit of choosing a pediatric dentist for my child over a family dentist?” The answer, in short — a lot! Allow us to break down some of the main differences that make pediatric dentists the obvious choice for parents worldwide.

Pediatric dentists receive specialized training.

All pediatric dentists are required to complete a minimum of two years as a full-time resident, receiving additional training specific to children’s oral health. During this specialized training period, each dentist gains experience evaluating and treating developmental and growth issues related to the mouth, jaw, face, and head for children of all ages — including treatments requiring sedation or anesthesia.

Pediatric dentists are 100% kid-friendly.

From the kid-friendly tactics they learn and implement from their residencies to the fun and inviting atmosphere of their office, pediatric dentists are all about kids! Let’s face it, dealing with wee ones can be difficult, especially when it comes to dental health. We know how frightening the dentist can be for children, but as pediatric dentists, we’ve been trained how to put your children at ease and get them on the road to better dental hygiene in no time.

Here at Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental, our main focus is the children! We work hard to make sure your child’s primary teeth are in tip-top shape in order to make way for even healthier permanent teeth. 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.

Things A Dentist Knows Just By Looking in Your Mouth

Your eyes may be the windows to your soul, but your mouth is the window to your body. There’s a lot more your dentist can tell from your little one’s mouth than just if they’re actually brushing when they say they are and how soon until they lose their first tooth. Just by looking at their little teeth and gums, these are a few of the things a dentist can tell about your child’s health.

They’re drinking too much soda. 

Soft, chipped, or discolored teeth can mean that your child is enjoying too much candy, soda, or energy drinks (yes, energy drinks have a lot of sugar in them!). The next time your child is thirsty, reach for a glass of milk or water, or an unsweetened glass of juice that’s been watered down.

They have a sinus infection.

Because the roots of your teeth live in the same area of your head as your sinuses, sinus infections and tooth pain can sometimes be confused for one another. If your child is ever complaining about tooth pain in their upper jaw, ask them to bend down and touch their toes. If the pain or pressure increases, it’s more likely a sinus infection.

They bite their nails. 

Your child’s fingers aren’t the only thing giving away the fact that they’re biting their nails. Nails are a lot stronger than they look and can crack, scrape, and damage teeth. If your child consistently nibbles on one side of their mouth, nail biting can even cause their teeth and jaw to become uneven.

They sucked their thumb past age seven. 

Children who suck their thumb past age seven or eight (the critical age at which their adult teeth are coming in) can suffer significant changes to their bite and the position of their teeth. If your child is nearing age seven and still sucks his/ her thumb, it’s advised that you encourage them to stop.

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.

5 Tooth Safety Tips For Halloween

Happy Halloween! As pediatric dentists, we’re not necessarily fans of the treats, but we would certainly prefer them over tricks! Unless of course, those tricks would help you and your little one keep their pearly whites in tip-top shape this Halloween!

1. Save the sweets for after dinner. Not only will this keep your children from spoiling their appetite, but it can help keep their teeth safe from decay as well. Saliva production increases after eating a full meal, which means their little mouths will be better equipped to wash away cavity-causing food particles.
   
2. Stick to sugar-free. Gum sweetened with xylitol, instead of sugar, makes snacking sweet less dangerous for your little one’s teeth. They’ll get all the goodness of sweet, without the cavity-causing additives.
   
3. Say no to sticky sweets. Gummy, gooey, chewy candy is a no-no! These sweet are more likely to get stuck in your child's teeth and lead to decay. They can also dislodge filings and wear down bonding or sealants.
   
4. Incorporate more water. Your kids will surely be running around all evening, scurrying from door to door to collect their treats. Make sure they’re drinking enough water to keep them hydrated, but also to help wash away any residual sugar and food particles snack refuels.
   
5. Be careful about costumes. Speaking of running around… does your little one’s costume fit right? Make sure there are no loose fabrics that can cause your tiny monster to trip or fall while he’s out running with other ghouls and ghosts. The last thing we need is a broken tooth — talk about a scary Halloween!

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.

Newsflash: Chocolate is Good For Your Teeth!

Okay.. we admit it. That’s not entirely true, but there are some benefits to chowing down on chocolate over other sweet treats. In fact, it may surprise you that dark chocolate has actually been deemed beneficial for your health in more areas than one.

What makes dark chocolate a good dental decision?

As compared to other types of candy — the sticky, icky, chewy, gooey kind — chocolate washes away easier, leaving less residue that can potentially cause decay. The dark variety specifically, contains a flavonoid called epicatechin. This flavonoid helps to slow tooth decay, while also lowering cholesterol and preventing blood clots and clogged arteries. So, what we’re saying is… enjoy as much dark chocolate with your children as you please — in moderation!!

What other sweet treats are good for my teeth?

Truthfully, we wouldn’t really say any sweets are particularly good for your teeth, but more that some are better options than others. Like sugar-free gum sweetened with xylitol for example. The xylitol acts as a sweetening agent so that kids are still intrigued by the flavor, without all the decay-causing sugar. The gum helps promote saliva production, which naturally cleans teeth. Moral of the story? Go sugar-free! Your kids won’t even notice the difference.

At the end of the day, no matter what treats your children like to enjoy, the most important thing is remembering to floss and brush regularly. Sure dark chocolate and sugar-free gum can help, but they certainly won’t be able to battle tooth decay and halitosis on their own!

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.