What Makes Us Have Crooked Teeth?

At the offices of Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental, your child can have a number of service types such as preventative and diagnostic, aesthetic, restorative, pain-free and sedation dentistry, interceptive orthodontics, as well as holistic dentistry.

It is essential for children to have good dental care so that they can avoid having problems with their teeth later on. One of the most common issues that arise from inadequate dental care is that children grow up to have crooked teeth, the severity of which varies. The most severe cases are because of trauma, but the most common reasons are losing the baby teeth too late or not having a dentist assist in the process.  The new teeth grow crooked, because they had to struggle for space before the baby teeth fell out. Later, the teeth start to position themselves in a way that fills out any gaps along the jaw.

There are many things that can prevent the crooked teeth, and it all starts with seeing the dentist on a regular basis. At Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental, the dentists and orthodontists take time to explain to the child and the parent about the state of the teeth, the jaw, any concerns, and all corrective options.

The professionals at the offices Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental value good communication, and we ensure you will have a pleasant, informative visit.

For more information on crooked teeth and corrective procedures, contact us.

How Do I Know I Have A Cavity?

Cavities are technically decayed areas of the teeth. This is an extremely common dental health problem, and if a cavity is not treated it can cause pain, infection, or even loss of the tooth. There are various symptoms of a cavity, here are the most common to watch out for.

A Tooth Ache

If/when you have a cavity, pain in the tooth during chewing, biting, or other daily actions can occur. This usually arises when a cavity has been left untreated.

Discoloration

When examining your mouth, you might notice a darker spot on the tooth. If this is visible, this means the tooth has decayed through the enamel. You don’t want this to happen.

Bad Breath or A Bad Taste

If a cavity is infected, this can create a bad smell and taste in your mouth. As with any infection, there can be an unpleasant odor and it definitely needs to be examined.

Tooth Sensitivity

This doesn’t always mean you have a cavity, but in most cases when you eat or drink something cold or hot and a tooth is sensitive, it’s decaying. Come in and see us just in case!

If you notice these symptoms or anything worse, contact us immediately. Cavities are not something to mess around with and can become dangerous to your overall health. Contact us today for more information!

Our Favorite Dental Jokes!

Scheduling regular appointments with a dentist is extremely vital to keeping our teeth sparkling clean and in good working condition. That being said, it is not always a barrel of laughs having to lean back with a blinding light in our faces and a mouth wide open  saying, “ahhh!” However, there is still a lot to crack up about and make you smile your biggest with this collection of our favorite dental jokes for children.

Joke 1

Question: What did the justice of peace say to the dentist?

Answer: Do you swear to tell the tooth, the whole tooth and nothing but the tooth?

Joke 2

Question: What do you call a dentist’s best council or advice?

Answer: His flossophy!

Joke 3

Question: What does a marching band player use to clean his teeth?

Answer: A tuba toothpaste!

Joke 4

A little girl was at her dentist appointment in the chair after an exam. It was revealed that she had a cavity that would require filling. The dentist replied, “Now young lady, what kind of filling would you rather have for that cavity?”

The little girl replied, “Strawberry, please.”

Joke 5

Question: What did the tooth say to the dentist that was leaving for the day?

Answer: Fill me in when you come back to work next please.

Joke 6

Question: What should a dentist do to prepare for a thrilling roller coaster ride at an amusement park?

Answer: He should always brace himself!

Joke 7

Question: What was a California dentist doing in New Jersey?

Answer: He was trying to find the Root Canal.

Joke 8

Question: What does the dentist of the year receive for a reward?

Answer: He receives a small plaque of appreciation.

We hope you got a laugh out of a few of our favorite jokes. Come and see us for more fun! Contact us today.

Electric Versus Regular Toothbrushes

Have you ever wondered why people use a regular toothbrush over an electric or vice versa? Electronic toothbrushes are nothing new but for some reason used less than regular brushes. Take a look at the pros and con to regular versus electric, and see which type of brush best fits you.

Manual Toothbrushes

Pros

• Many styles that can fit every size mouth

• Different bristle strength

• Does not require charging, batteries, or electricity

• Ease of traveling

Cons

• Cannot clean teeth as good as an electric toothbrush

• Fewer brushes per minute

Electric Toothbrushes

Pros

• Easy to use and do not miss difficult spots between teeth

• Shown to be more effective in preventing periodontal disease

• Remove more plaque than manual brushing

• The toothbrush heads can fit small mouths and make brushing easier for children

Cons

• Higher cost than manual toothbrushes

• Requires charging

• The brush heads will require replacing and can be costly

• They can break by a dead battery or malfunction

• More difficult for traveling since the unit will need to be brought along

The choice between manual and electronic toothbrushes comes down to a matter of preference, but in some cases, people use both. If you have more questions about manual versus electric toothbrushes, contact us!

What Nail Biting Does To Your Teeth

Nail biting is one of the most common habits people have. Most know it can mess up your fingers and nails, but what they don't realize is that it can also damage your teeth. This article is about what actually happens to the teeth and gums when someone bites their nails over a long period of time and the potential damages it can cause.

Nail Biters

Your teeth can become chipped, cracked, or worn down from dulling the enamel. Enamel is the protective covering over your teeth that keeps the nerve unexposed. The more worn your enamel gets, you could have pain and sensitivity or potentially need more extensive procedures such as fillings, crowns, or dental surgery.

Nail Biters With Braces

For someone who wears braces, biting your nails can damage and shorten the roots of your teeth worse than someone who doesn't wear them. Braces already put a lot of strain on the roots and nail biting will add even more strain to what’s already there. There are many things that could happen as a result of shortened roots, including: loose teeth, decay, headaches, pain in the face, and receding gums.

Sore or damaged gums means nail biting went farther than the teeth. This could happen from jagged or sharp nails slicing the gums and unwanted bacteria from underneath the nails getting into your bloodstream through the minor injury. Very serious damage or medical problems can arise, and you might have a lot more to worry about besides just biting your nails.

Here at Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental, we strive to bring you the best in dental medicine, and we can help you learn different techniques to stop biting your nails. If you want to set up an appointment or learn more, give us a call!

Make Teeth Brushing Fun

When children are young and you want them to develop good brushing habits, it's a good idea to mix a little fun in with it! All too often children look at teeth brushing as one of those annoying things they have to do, and simply demanding they do it to avoid cavities isn't usually the answer. There's a few things you can do that can make them eager to brush their teeth.

Finding Toothbrushes And Toothpaste Made For Them

Instead of those plain toothbrushes that adults use, you can find toothbrushes for children that have different themes on the handle. For example, maybe your child likes superheroes, or sports, or maybe even animals. Choosing toothpaste made for children can also make a difference because let's be honest, when you were young you probably weren't too fond of the aftertaste of regular toothpaste. Children's toothpaste often comes with more attractive flavors such as sparkling bubblegum, different fruits, and even other candies. Just make sure your child understands not to eat the toothpaste or mistake it for food.

Making A Game Out Of Brushing Their Teeth

Help your children look at fighting cavities as a fun game. For example, you could have visuals of cavity monsters and show your child how they can beat that monster by brushing their teeth the right way and doing it thoroughly. Other children might like hearing music made for brushing teeth or a fake toothbrush and using it on stuffed animals. Other things that might get them excited are TV shows or videos that encourage them to brush teeth or portray it in a fun light.

Bringing Your Child To Our Office

Helping your child learn good brushing habits is something we do regularly here at Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental in the Massapequa, Massapequa Park, West Islip and Nesconset areas of New York. We know young children can feel nervous or scared about their first dental visit, so we make sure they enjoy their visit and are treated well. Our hygienists and dentists have years of experience treating young children, as well as teens and adults. 

If you'd like to know more about our clinic locations or schedule an appointment, visit www.adelbergpediatricdental.com and look for a location most convenient for you, or you can either call us or fill in an appointment request online.

What To Do About Teething

Every baby goes through the process of teething in different way. This can be an especially difficult time for new parents as you might not be sure of what to expect, what’s normal, and how to deal with the discomfort. Here are some teething tips to keep your know what’s going on and to keep your baby happy!

What To Expect

Some babies might have no problems with teething while others will get the worst of it. If your baby is experiencing the latter, some symptoms can include:

Coughing

Eating less

Lack of sleep

Biting

Sore Gums

You may also notice that your baby is starting to drool more than usual and biting at his or her hand. This is a soothing action for your baby as it causes pressure on the gums where the teeth are breaking through.

Dealing With These Symptoms

Dealing with the symptoms of a teething baby is never easy and often requires a lot of patients. The most effective thing you can do is try and ease the discomfort as much as possible using teething toys, a cold washcloth, or medication recommended by your baby’s doctor. These can help numb the gums and ease the pressure caused by the growing teeth.

If you any any other questions about teething, please contact us!