5 Must Know Travel Dental Care Tips

Have some upcoming vacations planned? We have five dental care tips you should know before you go.

1. Make time for a dental visit.
We know how exciting it is to go on vacation. We also know how much prep work goes into getting the whole family ready to go. While this may not be your first thought, it’s a good idea to schedule a dental visit with us before departure. This way we can look for any possible issues and treat them before you leave.

2. Be prepared for a dental emergency.
From toothaches to chipped teeth, it’s important to know what to do in the event of a dental emergency:

• Toothache: Try and find the source of pain, look for any swelling, redness, or discolorations. Rinse with a warm salt water solution. Check and see if food is lodged between teeth causing pain and remove it with floss.
• Chipped Tooth: Try and save any tooth fragments and rinse with warm water. If there is any swelling, apply a cold compress to relieve pain.
• Knocked Out Tooth: If a permanent tooth is knocked out, timing is crucial. Hold the tooth by the crown (not the roots) and try to place back in its socket if possible. If unable to reinsert, put the tooth in a container of milk or water and contact us immediately.

It’s also wise to keep an emergency dental kit on hand, including gauze, wax (for braces), pain relievers, floss, and our contact information!

3. Know how to protect your toothbrush on-the-go. 
A wet toothbrush in a closed in area is a recipe for disaster (hello bacteria!). So before you pack away your brush, allow it to air dry completely. Consider a travel brush case as it has small holes for proper ventilation. And of course, keep the case clean — wash thoroughly before and after to rid any dirt or bacteria that may be lingering.

4. Bring some sugarless gum.
Chewing sugar-free gum not only helps to relieve air pressure while flying but can be a huge help in cavity prevention. Chewing gum increases saliva production which in turn works to wash away any cavity-causing bacteria. Pro tip: look for the ADA seal on packs of gum for a truly tooth-friendly product.

5. Don’t skip your routine.
It’s easy to fall out of your brushing and flossing routine when you’re not in your own home. Don’t beat yourself up! Just make sure you get back on track — brushing for two minutes twice daily and regular flossing — once vacation is over.

There you have it — five quick tips for travel dental care. For questions or concerns regarding your family’s dental health this season, give us a call or click here to request your appointment» 

Reasons To Get a Custom Fit Mouth Guard

When it comes to sports (competitive or recreational), safety is of utmost concern -- and mouth guards are one of the most important pieces of sports equipment your child needs to stay safe! 

In fact, according to the American Dental Association, an athlete is 60 times more likely to suffer harm to the teeth if they aren't wearing a mouth guard. 

Mouth guards are essential in helping to minimize the risk of broken teeth and injuries to the lips, tongue, face, or jaw during play. 

But with all the options out there - how do you choose which is best for your child? Consider the facts:

• While less expensive, generic boil-and-bite mouth guards can restrict breathing and speech. Additionally, they are difficult to adapt to orthodontic appliances. Custom mouth guards, however, are designed to uniquely fit in an athletes mouth, with no interference with speech or breathing.
• Does your child have braces? A custom fit guard can give them the protection and comfort they need in a mouthpiece.
• Custom guards are designed for optimal oxygen flow while providing the most protection and comfort. This helps an athlete enhance their performance and endurance on the field.
• Stock guards cannot be modified to fit an individual’s mouth and can only stay in place when the mouth is closed. Custom fit guards are made from an impression of the athlete’s mouth taken at a dentist’s office.

While any mouth guard is better than no mouth guard, we encourage you to look into the custom fit option for your athlete. At Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental, we offer our very own Mouth Guard Center for this exact reason. We will fit your child with a mouth guard specific to their mouth, and they can choose their colors to coincide with their school, intramural, or PAL league’s uniform. Contact us at any of our three locations today for more information!

Looking for an awesome summer camp for your athlete? Check out Long Island Youth Football Player Academy! All camps are led by USA Football certified coaches who truly believe that each player should be able to learn the fundamentals of football while maintaining a safety first outlook. We're so proud to be a premier sponsor of such a wonderful camp.

How to Create a Summer Routine

What we love most about summer is that it’s two months of carefree ease. So long are the days of rigid morning schedules (who remembers the struggle of trying to get their kids’ teeth brushed and clothes on before the always punctual 7:35 a.m. bus?) and the after-school activities runaround.

But be careful not to abandon a daily routine completely — otherwise, your summer may completely slip by. Help keep a sense of order while still savoring the lazy days of summer with these tips:

Break Your Day Into Sections 

While you may not have to assign a time to each chore as you did during the school year, you should break your day into three sections — morning, afternoon, and night. Keep a general list of 3 - 5 things that need to get done during each block of time and check them off one-by-one.

Get Your Kids Involved

No matter their age, there’s always something your little ones can help (or at least try to help) with. Now that you have more free time in the morning let them pick out their outfit. In the afternoon, ask them to help make sandwiches for lunch. And at night, have your kids help put some toys away before sitting down for dinner. With the entire day free, summer is the perfect time to give your kids just a little bit more responsibility.

Create a Summer Bucket List 

Another fun activity to do with your kids one afternoon? Create a summer bucket list! From the park down the block to a museum in New York City, let your kids’ creativity run wild. Now, the next time you hear your little one say, “I’m bored,” you can turn to the list for fun ideas!

Utilize Charts

Especially if you have two or three children, remembering who did what (and when) can get exhausting. Instead of keeping everything organized in your head, throw it down on paper. A simple chore or brushing chart will help keep your home running smoothly long after summer has ended.

And would you look at that — we’re one step ahead of you! To help keep your little one’s oral health a priority this summer, we’ve created a brushing chart you can print and hang up right now! Click the link below to download.

DOWNLOAD»

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!