Dental Care for Children on the Spectrum

 www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

For parents with a child on the autism spectrum, it’s not uncommon to hear that little things - like a hair cut or a dental visit can pose a bit of a challenge. However, choosing to avoid dental visits until there’s a potential emergency can lead to even more dental work down the line.

But as you know, dental care isn’t only about dental visits - it also includes making sure teeth are being cleaned at home, 2 minutes, 2 times a day. Work to get your child into this lifelong, healthy habit using these tips, courtesy of the New York Times:

• Start early - Once diagnosed with autism, introduce your child to the idea of the toothbrush. Additionally, begin dental visits early - our special needs patients tend to benefit from repeat exposure to an environment.
• Take it slow- Your child may not feel comfortable with the toothbrush or an electric toothbrush immediately - and this is OK. Begin brushing one tooth, for one second. A few days later you may be able to brush for 2 seconds.
• Reward - Try a small reward each time your child allows the toothbrush in their mouth. Not a candy reward, perhaps a snippet of their favorite song on your phone or iPod.
• Provide choices - Let your child have some control. Offer a selection of toothpastes or brushes that your child can select from before the brushing begins.
• Watch the amount of toothpaste - A smear is enough to get the job done. You want to make sure excess paste isn’t on the brush, especially for children who have a hard time spitting it out. When your child begins brushing on their own, a wall mounted toothpaste dispenser may aid in providing the appropriate amount each time.

At Adelberg and Montalvan Pediatric Dental, we are devoted to providing the best mental and dental care for all of our patients, including those with special healthcare needs. Our doctors are specially trained in special needs dentistry and are committed to providing your child with the attention and care they deserve to create a positive dental experience.

Majority of our special needs patients are treated in the chair, awake - but we also offer in house sedation when needed. If you have a child on the spectrum, or with other special needs, please give us a call to come in for a walk through. You and your child will be able to visit the office prior to having an actual ‘appointment.’ During that visit you can meet the dentists, tour the office, sit in the dental chair and ask any questions or concerns you may have. Contact us for more information today.

NSLW 2014 - Braces Friendly Snacks

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Braces certainly take some getting used to, especially in terms of the foods we eat. Children who would normally chomp into their crunchy snacks, now need to revise their diets to include foods that aren’t painful or damaging to their new wiring.

In honor of National School Lunch Week and National Orthodontic Health Month, we bring you a list of braces-friendly snacks to incorporate into your child’s lunches this year:

• Sliced Fresh Fruit - Try choosing fruits that are soft so they won’t cause damage or a dart of pain (IE: kiwis, bananas, strawberries, grapes, oranges, etc.).
• Applesauce - We all know Fall is peak time for apple picking, so take all those freshly picked McIntoshes and put them to use! Applesauce is packed with vitamins and fiber, and can be made in a big batch, cooled to room temperature and frozen in sealed containers to enjoy later.
• String Cheese - Great as a side snack, cheese is soft enough to bite and as an added bonus, calcium rich foods help to repair damaged tooth enamel
• Hummus - Whether you choose to make your own or purchase one of the many flavors on store shelves, hummus is packed with nutrients including fiber and protein that offers a high satiety value. Serve with cucumber slices (as they are softer than carrots) or pieces of pita bread.

Have any other brace-friendly treats your kids love? Head to our Facebook page and share with the rest of our community!

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dentistry has three Long Island locations. We specialize in caring for children’s teeth in a comfortable and caring environment. Call (516) 798-1111 or visit our website to schedule an appointment.

It's National Orthodontic Health Month!

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Along with National Dental Hygiene Month, October is also Orthodontic Health Month. Dental health is something that effects everyone, having healthy teeth and gums contributes to a nice smile and gets you on the right track to a lifetime of comfort and well being.

Orthodontists are just one of the dental practitioners your child could visit at some point in their life. The goal of orthodontic treatment is to enhance the smile, by adjusting the bite (malocclusions). Malocclusions affect the way one smiles, chews, and cleans the teeth. With the right orthodontic treatment and dental health practices, teeth can last a lifetime!

And some of these practices include eating for healthy teeth! With Halloween around the corner, if your child is currently undergoing treatment  - you likely know the dangers of sticky sweets with braces. Caramels, jellybeans, tootsie rolls, laffy taffy, the list goes on! Not to mention the hard candies that could crack braces.

This year try to keep your children in the safe zone with the below options (just be sure they brush their teeth once they're done snacking!):

• Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
• Hershey’s Chocolate bar
• Kit Kat Bar
• 3 Musketeers
• Peppermint Patty

Although an orthodontist can enhance a smile at any age, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that the initial orthodontic evaluation should occur at age 7. If you are unsure if your child qualifies, make an appointment for a FREE orthodontic consultation at one of our offices. Let us help you identify and reduce problems early on to make sure your child’s orthodontic experience is easier in the long run! Call us today!

 

Congratulations Dr. Adam Postel!

 www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

 

At Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental and Orthodontics, we pride ourselves on having ALL of our pediatric dentists Board Certified. This means, our dentists have gone through a rigorous, voluntary examination process with the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry (ABPD). Only dentists that have completed a residency in pediatric dentistry are able to sit for these examinations.

In fact, not all dentists are certified by the ABPD. The ones who are, are based on standards of excellence that lead to high quality oral health care for infants and children through adolescence, including those with special health care needs.

We’re happy to announce that earlier this week, Dr. Adam successfully completed the accredited specialty training to become a fully Board Certified Pediatric Dentist - congratulations!

 

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dentistry has three Long Island locations. We specialize in caring for children’s teeth in a comfortable and caring environment. Call (516) 798-1111 or visit our website to schedule an appointment. 

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental is Going PINK For BCA

 www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

 

The month of October accounts for several national observance, including National Dental Hygiene Month, National Orthodontic Health Month, as well as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In honor of the survivors, fighters, and those affected by breast cancer, we have gone PINK at all of our locations.

We are proud to announce our offices are gloving up and joining the fight against breast cancer! For every box of pink gloves we purchase this month, a donation will be made to finding a cure.

We’ll also be Making Strides Against Breast Cancer on Sunday, October 19th at Jones Beach State Park to support our very own, Patty! Today 1 of every 2 women newly diagnosed with breast cancer reaches out to the American Cancer Society for help and support. The donations our team raises will enable investment in groundbreaking breast cancer research, free information and services for women diagnosed with the disease, and access to mammograms for women who need them. 

 

Our donations will help more than 2.9 million breast cancer survivors celebrate another birthday this year!

It's Almost National Dental Hygiene Month!

 www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

Celebrate National Dental Hygiene Month this October! For the fifth consecutive year, the American Dental Hygienists’ Association and the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company are partnering to help raise awareness and promote good oral health.

Therefore we are taking the time to stress the importance of teaching your children proper dental hygiene techniques starting with brushing, flossing, and rinsing:

Brush - Always brush two minutes, two times a day - EVERY day!
Research shows this is the single most important method for reducing plaque and related diseases as well as cavities and gingivitis.

Floss - Daily
Flossing daily removes plaque and food particles that hide in the hard to reach places of the mouth.

Rinse - With mouthwash!
While brushing and flossing eliminates a decent amount of plaque and germs - your teeth only account for less than half of your mouth! Finish your oral care routine with an antiseptic mouthwash that carries the ADA Seal of Acceptance.

Remember, it is vital to teach your children proper dental hygiene at a young age. This way they can continue to practice proper techniques and show off a healthy smile as they grow! Join us in celebrating National Dental Hygiene Month, give us a call to schedule an appointment today.

Join the Monster-Free Mouth Movement for National Dental Hygiene Month

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Join the Monster-Free Mouth Movement in celebration of National Dental Hygiene Month this October. Talk to your kids about Ginger Bite-Us, Tartar the Terrible, and Tooth D.K. so you can work together to banish these mouth monsters for good:

Tooth decay is the number one chronic infectious disease among children in the US - beginning as early as age 1. With the help of us here at Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, together we will be your go to resource for tips on preventing this terrifying trio!