Dental Health Tips for Summer

Ah, summer, one of our favorite seasons — filled with trips to the beach, sleep-away camps, family getaways, poolside BBQs and more! With all these new activities added into your daily routines, it’s no wonder maintaining good oral hygiene and healthy eating habits can be a struggle.

This summer, don’t take a vacation from your dental health. Follow the below tips to ensure nothing but bright smiles all summer long!

Keep Healthy Habits

We know those ice cream truck bells can be tempting, and with all the extra activities summer brings, healthy habits can fall by the wayside. It’s certainly important to enjoy yourselves, but even remembering the below three tips can keep those pearly whites cavity free!

Don’t Skip Your Dental Routine.
Schools out — which means later curfews and sleepy mornings. Resist the urge to skip brushing before a late bedtime or late wake up. Brushing for two minutes, twice a day and daily flossing are both key ingredients for excellent dental health. Looking for ways to keep your family on track this summer? Consider tacking up a brushing chart!

Stock Healthy Foods.
With kids (and possibly, their friends) home all day, it can be hard to limit snacking, but you can be proactive in choosing the right snacks to stock in your pantries. Swap out sugary treats with healthier options — cubes of cheese, almonds, fruits, veggies, pretzels, peanut butter, and hummus are all tooth friendly!

Drink Water.
Sugar-loaded juices or sodas are great to enjoy on occasion, but too much can contribute to tooth decay! Instead, stick to water — it’s refreshing, hydrating, and optimal for dental health. Slice up some fresh fruit to add flavor!

Bonus: Check out our infographic for more summer health tips for the whole family!

Avoid Dental Emergencies this Summer

Where would you prefer to spend a beautiful sunny day: outdoors or in a dentist chair dealing with an emergency? Assuming you didn’t choose the latter, and we don’t blame you! With a little knowledge and preparation, you can spend your days in the sunshine instead of our waiting room. Always remember to:

Wear a Mouth Guard During Play.
Mouth guards prevent serious injuries, from concussions to broken teeth. While they’re mandatory in collision sports (like football or hockey), it’s important to wear them for contact sports as well (baseball/softball, soccer, volleyball, etc.)! While any mouth guard is better than no mouth guard, we urge you to come in for a custom guard fitting at our dedicated Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental Mouth Guard Center! Custom guards are more comfortable, don’t restrict breathing or speech, and provide the highest level of protection.

Follow Pool Rules.
The pool is a common source for dental injuries each summer. We often see patients who fell after running on a slick surface or hit their chin after diving into shallow water. That’s why it’s so important to follow pool rules to prevent losing, chipping, or breaking a tooth!

Know What to Do in the Event of a Dental Emergency.
Sometimes despite our best efforts, accidents still happen! To prepare yourself for mishaps, keep an emergency dental care kit on hand. This kit should include gauze, wax (for braces), pain relievers, floss, and our contact information.

Schedule Your Checkup with Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental

This summer, work to make memories that last a lifetime — and as much as we love to see you, we don’t want those memories to include an emergency dental visit. So in addition to following pool rules, maintaining your dental routines, and wearing mouth guards, you’ll want to also schedule a check up before any long vacations. This way we can help spot any potential problems and treat them before you leave!

For any questions regarding your family’s dental health this summer, we’re only a call away! From dental emergencies to routine cleanings, we have three Long Island locations for your convenience. Click here to request your appointment»

Summer Health Tips for the Whole Family [Infographic]

Who's excited for some summer fun? We know we're smiling from ear to ear! Make this summer your best (and healthiest) yet, with the below tips:

Choose the Right Drinks
Sugar loaded drinks can wreak havoc on teeth, so instead of reaching for a cold soda when the temps are high, stick with water instead! Trust us; it’s just as refreshing — you can even add some fruit slices for extra flavor!

Stock Up on Healthy Snacks
Think fruits, veggies, cheese, and almonds — these snacks are both tooth friendly and good for overall health. Try freezing a yogurt dipped banana for a delicious frozen treat.

Play Outdoors
Limit screen time this summer and get outside! Gather the whole family and head out for a bike ride, take your dog for a walk, or spend a day at the park. Regular exercise does the body, and brain, good.

Wear Sunscreen
Be sure to keep your little ones (and yourselves) safe from sun damage! Apply sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) that offers UVA and UVB protection at least 30 minutes before going outside. Then, be sure to apply every two hours!

Follow Pool Rules
No running and no diving into shallow waters! Swimming pool accidents are a common cause of dental emergencies. Keep those tiny teeth intact!

Don’t Forget to Brush
This year round advice hasn’t changed, but with later curfews, summer camps, and family vacations, it’s important to make sure this doesn’t slip through the cracks. Remember to brush for two minutes, twice daily!

These tips plus a checkup with Adelberg Montalvan will help your family enjoy a summer of healthy smiles! Contact us today to make an appointment!

5 Books About Dental Health [Pre-K - 3]

Teaching children how to brush and take care of their teeth is all part of our parental duties. But sometimes we need a little bit of help in getting them to understand why good dental hygiene is important.

Thankfully, we’re not alone in these efforts. There are plenty of books out there to help your child understand the importance of dental health. Here are some of our favorites:

The Tooth Book (Bright & Early Board Books) by Dr. Seuss
Dr. Seuss books have always been classic favorites when it comes to teaching kids about different aspects of life. This book touches on the purpose of teeth as well as how to care for them. With quirky illustrations and humor, this book explains the importance of oral hygiene so we can keep the pearly whites we have!

Brush, Brush, Brush! (Rookie Toddler) by Alicia Padron
This book makes brushing fun by adding a sing-along feel with cute, light-hearted phrasing for the whole family to enjoy! Not only does this book give lessons on how to brush your teeth, but it also poses questions to the reader about their own brushing routine. You can use this book as an interactive tool for teaching your child how to brush their teeth properly.

Have You Ever Seen A Moose Brushing His Teeth? by Jamie Mcclaine
If your child is an animal lover, then they will surely like this imaginative book about oral hygiene! In the book, the moose has neglected his giant “toofers” which are now a bit slimy. With adorable illustrations, the moose takes on the task to get his teeth in tip-top shape! The book demonstrates the importance of tooth care and encourages children to take on good and healthy oral habits!

The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist by Stan and Jan Berenstain
A visit to the dentist can be frightening for some kids. In this book, Sister Bear watches Brother Bear get a filling while she frighteningly waits to have her baby tooth removed!  Reading this book with your child can be a great way to prepare them for a visit to the dentist, especially if they are scared. The book can help children realize that the dentist is a safe and fun place to be!

Sweet Tooth by Margie Palatini
If your child loves to eat sweets often, here’s a book to help explain the importance of eating vegetables over sugary foods. In this book, a little boy has a “sweet tooth” which has a mind of its own and gets him into trouble! With the personification of the “sweet tooth,” this fun book demonstrates how good nutrition benefits the health of your teeth and overall oral well-being. The illustrations paint humorous and delightful pictures to keep kids intrigued!

If you regularly read to your child, why not choose a book that teaches a valuable lesson about dental hygiene? If you would like more recommendations, contact us. We are here to help every step of the way by providing you and your child a meaningful, caring dental experience!

Reasons for Bad Breath in Children

While you might be diligent about keeping your kids on a regular oral schedule at home, there may be times that bad breath, also known as halitosis, can creep up on them.

But why does this happen? Your little one’s not so fresh breath might be telling you more than you realize!

3 Reasons for Bad Breath in Children

1. Lack of Proper Hygiene.
You may be watching your child brush their teeth and floss every day, but are they doing it correctly? If plaque is building up and a lot of bacteria is still lingering after brushing, it can contribute to bad breath. Ensure your child is brushing their tongue as well! The tongue is another place where bacteria likes to hide out. By coaching your child on proper brushing and oral care, you can help prevent the onset of bad breath.

2. The Foods You’re Eating!
Many different types of foods and drinks can cause bad breath. Some of the worst food culprits include:

• Garlic
• Spices
• Candy
• Soda
• Onions

If your child eats foods that are known to cause stinky breath, have them brush their teeth after eating and use a mouth rinse for kids to remove particles or any sticky residue that is left behind.

3. Infections or Illness.
Bad breath could be a result of an infection or illness. For example, a sinus infection, strep throat or tonsillitis could bring on less than desirable breath.  Dehydration and dry mouth may also be a cause for foul mouth odors.

If your child has less than fresh breath, it could be due to one of the issues above. Schedule an appointment to come and see us so we can get to the root of the problem as soon as possible!

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!