How to Handle a Dental Emergency

Any time a child gets hurt, it can be a scary moment for parents and caregivers. From a scraped knee to a chipped tooth, this is never something you want to see! But kids will be kids, so where dental emergencies are concerned, we’ve got you covered:

How to Handle a Knocked out Baby Tooth

1. Contact Us: If your child knocks out their baby tooth, contact us as soon as you can. We can give simple solutions to provide comfort and prevent infection. 
2. At-Home Remedies: To provide comfort at home, start by rinsing the mouth out. After rinsing, use a cold cloth and apply pressure to the gum to reduce the swelling. 
3. Talk to Your Child: Losing a tooth can be a scary moment for a child. Explain to them how teeth fall out, and new ones grow!

How to Handle a Knocked out Permanent Tooth

1. Find the Tooth: Often times, a tooth can be saved and even replanted into the mouth. Start by rinsing it in cold water. Do not brush or scrub it.
2. Come See Us Immediately: Come in for your appointment as soon as you can. If the wait is longer than 2-3 hours, set the tooth back in the socket, and hold it in place with a clean cloth. This way, the area won’t start to heal. If this isn’t possible, keep the tooth in a safe place until you get here.

How to Handle a Chipped or Broken Tooth

1. Give Us a Call: The quicker you take action, the better chance we have to save the tooth, keep it from getting infected and reduce further complications.
2. Take Care of the Mouth: Use a cold compress to reduce swelling and flush the mouth out with warm water to prevent infectious growth.

Accidents can’t always be prevented, but there are some precautions you can take to reduce the chances of one of these emergencies happening in the first place. Our best recommendation is wearing a mouthguard! Not sure which mouthguard is best for your child? Check out our recent blog!

And for more dental emergency information, contact us today!

Your Tongue: 3 Fast Facts

Have you ever looked in the mirror and examined your tongue after brushing your teeth, wondering about its purpose?

Is it just for making food taste delicious or for teasing our siblings with it?

Don’t get all “tongue twisted” trying to figure it out! Find out how your tongue functions and its impact on your overall health, below!

1. It’s Your Health Indicator

The tongue plays a critical role in keeping your mouth healthy and working properly. It can also be an indicator of potential health issues such as a developing infection or reaction to certain medications. The tongue, just like any other part of your body, needs to be maintained so that it can provide the proper health benefits to which it is intended. Without proper care of your tongue,  you may be vulnerable to problems such as  "hairy tongue"  syndrome or oral thrush. While these conditions are treatable, it is always best to care for your tongue to avoid the onset of these and other oral health issues.

2. It Serves as a Built-In Cleaner

The tongue serves as a natural cleaner to your mouth by clearing food particles around your teeth. However, you can’t solely rely on your tongue to do all the dirty work for you! Start scraping your tongue as a part of your oral hygiene habit today! Not only does tongue scraping remove the bacteria that causes bad breath, tooth decay and a host of other oral conditions, it also helps promote saliva production which aids in good digestion. Win-win!

3. It’s How You Taste Your Food

Our tongue is the epicenter of taste that makes us enjoy the foods that we eat. It is also covered in small bumpy tissue called “papillae.”  These bumps are also covered with copious amounts of tastes buds that give us the joyous, and rewarding feeling in tasting our food.  Your taste buds have microscopic hairs which tell your brain if the food you are eating is sweet, sour, bitter, salty or savory.

For more information about oral hygiene and the care of your tongue, contact us!

4 Dental Hygiene Steps For Infants

When it comes to your little ones, dental hygiene varies from age to age. While an older child may be able to brush their teeth on their own, your infant depends on you for care to keep their mouth healthy.

Follow these 4 tips for good infant dental hygiene that will instill good habits for years to come!

The Earlier, The Better

Starting early care of your baby’s mouth and tiny teeth can prevent a host of dental problems (including bad breath). As your baby’s teeth start growing in they may feel the discomfort of teething. Using a cold, wet cloth to massage the gums during teething can help ease the pain. When brushing your baby’s tiny pearly whites, use an infant toothbrush with no more than a rice grain size amount of toothpaste.

Start Slow

Infants may find a toothbrush in their mouth a little scary as they can’t understand what is happening. Since babies won’t grasp the idea of brushing and dental care until they get a little older, it’s important to start slowly. Don’t try to brush their teeth for long periods of time. To make your baby more comfortable during the brushing process, brush their teeth in small increments. Gently brush your baby’s tongue as well to remove bacteria to keep that sweet baby’s breath!

Create A Routine

Do your best to make dental care a morning and night time regimen. Having a dental routine let’s your infant know what to expect as it becomes a normal, day to day process. Having a dental care routine will also help them build strong dental care habits and as they get older.

Make It Fun

It’s okay to laugh, play games, and make your child smile during dental care. Make up a song or a rhyme about their toothbrush, it’s up to you and your imagination! This will help them view dental hygiene in a positive light.

For more information on taking care of your infant and starting their dental hygiene routine, contact us. If your child has just gotten their very first tooth or is about to celebrate their first birthday — it’s time for a visit! 

Apply for a $1,000 College Scholarship!

Attention graduating seniors: our scholarship contest is BACK! This July marks 20 years since opening Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental and we’ve been privileged to know and care for so many of you from cribs until college.

In recognition of this milestone, our office has decided to award $1,000 scholarships in each of our three locations.

The criteria:

1. Must be an active patient in our practice
2. Must write an essay about how our office has inspired you
3. Must be a graduating senior

We will choose one essay in each location and will require you to share the essay on our social media sites (with a picture of the winners). The deadline for submission is Wednesday June 13.

Please include the office location where you are seen and submit your essays to AMPDscholarship@gmail.com. GOOD LUCK!

If you’re in need of some inspiration, take a look at some of our previous scholarship winners:


Thanks again to all who have submitted essays through the years and good luck to our next group of seniors — we can’t wait to read your stories!

Chewing Gum Myths Debunked!

Chewing gum has amassed its share of tales over the years from if it's swallowed it will remain in your digestive tract to chewing it can rot your teeth. But just what is the truth about chewing gum, can it be beneficial for you?

Well, you’re in luck! Below, we’ve debunked three common misconceptions — how many of these did you know?

Myth 1: Chewing Gum Remains In Your Digestive Tract for Years

Survey says: not likely! While your body is unable to break down or extract nutrients from gum, it still travels through your digestive tract just like any other indigestible substance, such as fiber. According to Duke gastroenterologist, Nancy McGreal, MD, “In all the upper endoscopies I have done in both children and adults, I have yet to see a wad of gum lying around in the stomach.”

Myth 2: Chewing Gum Causes Cavities 

Not all gum is created equal! While sugar-sweetened gums saturate the teeth in sugar, which isn’t the best for dental health, studies show that sugarless gum can actually help prevent tooth decay! How so? Chewing sugarless gum increases saliva flow, this not only washes away food and debris but helps to strengthen tooth enamel. Look for chewing gum with the ADA Seal! (Hint: Sugar-free Trident, Orbit, Extra, to name a few)

Myth 3: You Can Substitute Brushing with Chewing Gum 

Hopefully, none of our patients believe this! Chewing gum should not be a replacement for proper oral care. While yes, chewing sugarless gum stimulates saliva and can be beneficial post meals, brushing for two minutes, twice daily and regular flossing are the keys to a lifetime of dental health.

Have questions or concerns about how to keep your little one’s teeth healthy for all of time? Contact us today! We’ll be happy to debunk more myths you may have on your mind.

Top Dental Tips to Follow While Pregnant

As a busy parent, it can often be easy to think about your little one’s dental hygiene, while neglecting your own. Though life can get hectic, your dental care is essential, especially if you plan on growing your family.

If you’re currently expecting, here are just a few of the ways you can take care of your dental health, as well as your little one’s, while pregnant!

6 Important Dental Tips for Expecting Mothers

1. Get Your Check-up In. You might be tired of making appointments, and the fatigue of the first trimester might be getting you down, but now is the perfect time to have your dental cleaning and check-up. If you are planning to start a family, try getting to your dentist ASAP — this will allow you to address any dental issues before you begin your pregnancy.
2. Brush, Brush, Brush! Don’t panic if you notice your gums are more sensitive than normal; this is often a pregnancy side effect. To ensure you're staying on top of your dental health, brush at least twice daily with a soft bristle brush.
3. Floss is Your Friend. Don’t forget your daily flossing! Flossing is the only way to get into the little nooks and crannies that your toothbrush just can’t reach. 
4. Fight Morning Sickness. Constant morning sickness can do a number on your enamel, so be sure to rinse your mouth immediately after feeling ill. Toothpaste making you queasy? Try going for a more mild flavor! 
5. Keep An Eye Out For Changes. Hormonal changes can lead to an array of dental side effects, such as swollen gums and loose teeth. Keep an eye out for any new dental changes and be sure to reach out to your doctor for proper care.
6. Dental Care For Two. Once your little bundle of joy arrives, it’s the perfect time to get them off on the best dental start. Did you know, teething can begin as early as 3 months of age, with the first tooth erupting around the six month mark? Remember, not all babies are alike, so keep an eye out for the first tooth and be sure to bring your child in for a visit by their first birthday — we can’t wait to meet them!

Remember to keep up with your dental health too, as unfilled cavities can increase the chances of transmitting germs to your baby, especially once they begin teething.

Now that you have the keys to dental success during and after pregnancy, let us help get your child on a path towards a lifetime of healthy smiles! Schedule your little one’s first appointment today! 

Stop Teeth Grinding By Lowering Stress

It is not abnormal for people to clench or grind their teeth at times. The medical term is called bruxism and is not usually harmful. However, those who grind their teeth on a regular basis can run the risk of oral health complications.

How Do I Know I’m Grinding My Teeth?

Most of us are unaware that we grind our teeth because it happens often while we are sleeping. If you wake up with a constant headache or a sore jaw, you may be grinding your teeth at night. There are many factors that can cause bruxism including, sleep apnea, anxiety, stress, crooked teeth or an abnormal bite. You should consult with your dentist if you think you are grinding your teeth. They can examine your jaw and mouth to check for tenderness or damage done to your teeth.

How Can I Stop Grinding My Teeth?

If you are a chronic teeth grinder, it can cause loss of teeth or fractures. If you do not seek the help of a dentist right away, you might need to have root canals, bridges, partial dentures or implants. While no one knows for sure what exactly causes bruxism, stress and anxiety may play a big role. Lowering your stress level can decrease the need to clench your teeth. Practice meditation prior to bedtime to help relieve stress and anxiety. Meditation allows you to focus on one particular subject at hand while focusing on your breathing. It helps you prevent your mind from racing which can cause unnecessary stress.

In reality, it only takes a few minutes of meditation a day to start reaping the benefits. There are several online videos and books that can teach you the proper ways to meditate. Burning candles and taking a nice warm bath before bedtime can work wonders.

Try to clear your mind as much as possible and forget about your day-to-day tasks. Yoga, massage, Tai Chi, and even a pedicure or manicure can make a world of difference. Whichever form of relaxing you choose, remember when you are relaxed your body will become relaxed, including your mouth and jaw.

If you are continuing to experience teeth grinding problems, contact us today!