Healthy Back to School Habits

 

Readjusting to back to school routines can be a bit chaotic and sometimes healthy living can fall by the wayside. But with some simple changes, this can be avoided!

From healthy eats to family physical activities, check out these tips for keeping your kids on the right track this school year:

Eat healthy.
Hey parents - don’t forget your ABCs: Always check the circulars for discounts on healthy foods, Buy produce in season to cut costs, and Compare brands and package sizes to find the best buy. Check over the Nutrition Facts label to make sure you are choosing foods low in calories, saturated and trans fats, sodium, and sugars to help keep mouth monsters at bay. Pro tip: bring the kids food shopping with you so you can start teaching them how to make healthy choices (and also have extra hands to help pack up the car!).

Reduce screen time.
Kids spend a large part of their day sitting in a classroom, some of which incorporate technology already (iPads and computers). When they get home, help minimize time spent in front of a screen by encouraging more time spent as a family. How? For starters, be a good role model! Practice what you preach and be sure to reduce your own screen time for some motivation. Otherwise, enforce some simple house rules - like promising to eat dinner as a family without the TV on in the background.

Get active.
Another way to help reduce screen time is to encourage more outdoor fun! Whether it’s playing a sport, going for a bike ride, or walking the kids to school - get the whole family involved. Keep track of how your family spends time for a week and then look for 30 minute time slots where everyone can be active together. Take your dog on a walk as a family each weekend, play a game of basketball before dinner, or rake leaves together once fall sets in. 

For more information on the above, visit The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and check out their We Can! initiative.

If you have any questions about how to improve your child's oral health please give our offices a call. 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. Don't forget to LIKE us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter for updates and industry news.

Start the School Year with a Smile

 

School supplies? Check. First day of school outfit? Check. Dentist appointment? Check!

School will be back in session in two weeks and as you finish up all of your back to school shopping, don’t forget to schedule that back to school dental appointment! We know that summer break can disrupt daily routines and as such its important to get back on track for a successful school year.
 
To make sure your child starts the school year off with a great smile, be sure to follow our tips below! 

• Schedule a check-up. Good health and academic success begin at home. It’s important as a parent, to make sure there are no obstacles in your child’s way that could hurt their ability to thrive. A twice yearly check up is your best defense to maximize your child’s oral health. Schedule a back to school appointment with us to make sure no dental problems will prevent them from having a happy and healthy year.
• Protect tiny teeth. Back to school = back to school sports. One important piece of your child’s uniform that shouldn’t be forgotten, a custom fit mouthguard. Mouthguards are the simplest solution to dramatically reducing the risk of oral injuries and concussions. At all three of our locations, we offer our very own mouthguard centers so your athlete can receive a custom fit guard in the colors of their choosing. Current patients and first timers welcome!
• Consistency is key. Make sure your child incorporates enough time in the morning and evening to brush and floss teeth. By making these actions routine, your child will develop consistent habits for the rest of their life!
• Pack healthy lunches. When packing lunches for your kids this year make sure to include some tooth friendly options such as string cheese, raw veggies, whole wheat bread for sandwiches, water, etc. Smart snacks and proper nutrition not only play a role in your child’s oral health but also in fueling them through their daily activities.

Let us help make sure nothing is standing in the way of a successful school year - give us a call to schedule your child’s back to school check-ups and/or mouthguard fitting today!

At Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental our purpose is to provide exceptional mental and dental care that can impact your child’s life forever.  Our practice has been providing excellent pediatric dentistry to children of Long Island for over 14 years.

Testimonial Tuesday – Recent Adelberg Montalvan Reviews!

 

When it comes to choosing a dentist for your child, you’ll want to pick someone is knowledgeable, caring, patient, and has experience specifically in helping children better their oral health.

So how does Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental fit that description? Our testimonials speak for themselves!

“Very nice and patient staff. We did not feel rushed and left the office well informed. Such a cute kid friendly environment.” – Baily A.

“Dr Jeannine was amazing with my very anxious son. Her bedside manner was phenomenal, and she took her time and was very caring and thorough. I have already recommended her to many friends!” – Nicholas B.

“It was my 2 year old daughter's first visit and everyone was so kind. She's a difficult patient but the Dr. and staff were amazing and made it as easy as possible! Thank you so much!” – Aria S.

“I took both of my sons to see Dr. Marc this week, my oldest for his routine cleaning and my 18 month old for his first visit. He is so patient and thorough! It was overall a great experience! We are so lucky to have found such an amazing pediatric dentist!! See you again in 6 months!!” – Melanie M.

“Great experience today with Dr. Marc. My daughter was getting a filling and Dr. Marc was extremely patient and eased my daughters concerns of having pain. Thanks so much again!!” – Katie R.

Thank you to all who have shared their experiences with us, we always strive to care for our patients as if they were our own children and love hearing that they had a pleasant dental experience in our offices. Have you visited recently and have a story to share? Feel free to leave a review on one of the below sites!Google+ Nesconset
Google+ Massapequa Park
Google+ West Islip
Facebook

At Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental our purpose is to provide exceptional mental and dental care that can impact your child’s life forever.  Our practice has been providing excellent pediatric dentistry to children of Long Island for over 14 years.  We have three locations: Nesconset, Massapequa Park and our newest location in West Islip.

Family Friendly Events This Weekend (August 12th – 14th)

 

From boat regattas to video game challenges - Long Island has plenty of things planned for all kids and kids at heart this weekend!

Cradle of Aviation Museum
Charles Lindbergh Blvd. Garden City, NY 11530
Explore the short history of video arcade games in an actual arcade! The Cradle of Aviation has transformed a section of its galleries into an arcade complete with unforgettable favorites like Ms. Pac-Man, Galaga, Space Invaders, Centipede, Donkey Kong and more. Event takes place daily through 9/5 with 11:30a, 1:30p and 3:30p sessions; $24 Adults / $20 Children (2-12).

UpSky Hotel
110 Motor Parkway, Hauppauge, NY
Speaking of gaming - head to the Long Island Retro Gaming expo this Saturday! Video game lovers can play all their old favorites using none other than retro equipment and vintage 1980s-90s TVs at this one day expo! Jump into tournaments, attend panel discussions, and bring your old games for a swap meet. Event takes place 8/13 from 10a - 7p; admission is $20 day of (includes admission for two younger than 10) or $15 online prior. 

Maritime Explorium
Port Jeff Harbor - 101 East Broadway, Port Jefferson, NY 11777
Celebrate the 2016 Summer Olympics with Maritime Explorium’s Raingutter Regatta! Bring the kids to cheer on the USA this weekend as they design their own sailboat to race in the Raingutter Regatta. Event takes place: 8/12-8/14 from 1p - 5p; admission is $5 per person - members and children under 1 are FREE.

Long Island Aquarium
431 East Main Street, Riverhead NY 11901
Ahoy mateys! Take a Pirate Snorkel Adventure and help Captain Poseidon locate his treasure by finding the missing map pieces hidden at the bottom of the lagoon. Designed for participants of all ages (children must be beyond diaper age, and accompanied by an adult if under 7) - wet suit, life preserver, and snorkel gear are provided. Event takes place daily, 10:30a, 11:45a, 1:30p, 2:45p, and 4p sessions; Splash Sale - $19.99 for the remainder of the summer!

Movies at Long Beach
Neptune Avenue, Long Beach, NY
This Saturday night head down to Long Beach for the town’s weekly Movie on the Beach! This weekend, watch Jurassic World under the stars - arrive by 7:45pm and check the Facebook page for weather updates. Event takes place 8/13; FREE. 

For a full list of this weekend's events - head to Mommy Poppin's»

If you have any questions about how to improve your child's oral health please give our offices a call. 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.

Congratulations to Our Scholarship Winners - Francesca & Kayleigh!

Thank you again to all who entered our College Scholarship competition earlier this summer. Without further ado - let’s hear it for our winners, Kayleigh and Francesca! Congratulations!

Francesca Farb with Dr. Ericka Montalvan

"When I was younger I had piece of skin separating my two front teeth. Not a lot of kids had this and I was quite frequently asked “Why are your teeth like that?” and being only about eight years old I had no idea why or what to say, so I would just cry. It would make me so upset when people would ask and my mom thought it would be something that would just go away. 

When I began to go to Dr. Marc Adelberg he suggested the “frenectomy procedure”, which we had one of two options, laser procedure in his office or going to an oral surgeon. Once again only being eight years old I was terrified of needles and anything sharp and going to someone unfamiliar and having them cut a piece of skin out of my mouth was enough to bring tears to my eyes. My mother made an extraordinary decision to take Dr. Adelberg up on his laser surgery option, it was new and unfamiliar to her but she thought it would be for the best. The day of the procedure I was extremely nervous but Dr.Adelberg and his team made me feel at ease in no time. 

After the surgery I felt like a new person, I no longer had the piece of skin separating my teeth which felt like a road block in my little life, now my teeth had the freedom to move together and I felt like I could conquer the world. If it weren’t for the surgery, I wouldn’t have the confidence I have today or the option to pursue what I’m passionate about this fall at Pratt Institute. Art is a risky business but I believe I’m a sure-fire candidate for success and I wouldn’t feel this way about myself if it weren’t for the frenectomy procedure back in the day by Dr.Adelberg and his positive, supporting team!"

Kayleigh Zabell with Dr. Marc Adelberg

"For years, I have heard horror stories from other kids, and even adults about how painful and frightening going to the dentist can be. They would complain of how much toothpaste they got on their face or how the dentist would poke them too hard with the “scary metal thing”. Thankfully, I have a completely different experience, and never had to fear going to see everyone at Adelberg Pediatrics.

Growing up, going to see Dr. Marc was the only doctor appointment that I actually looked forward to having. My car rides to the office would be filled with decisions on what color toothbrush I wanted, which prize I would pick from the treasure chest, and which flavor toothpaste I wanted, which was no easy task considering the Adelberg Pediatrics crew has flavors ranging from watermelon to cookie dough! Unlike my colleagues, I really had no fears during my dental visits. The only worry that I had would be getting a cavity and not being able to join the cavity free club, which thankfully is not a common occurrence.

When I first gained independence in the tooth-brushing world, I was completely resistant to the whole process. I would try to avoid brushing my teeth, and thought the smell in my mouth was nothing a breath mint could not handle. It was only a matter of time before I did some serious damage to my teeth. I even remember going in for one of my dental checkups, and dental hygienist Lynda was able to tell what type of cookies I had for snack that day, which were Oreo cookies of course! Although impressed by Lynda’s cookie identification skills, I realized that I needed to make a change with my dental hygiene.

With the help of the Adelberg Pediatric team, I was motivated to develop better dental habits to help prevent bacteria and other “icky germies” from damaging my mouth. I honestly have to thank Adelberg Pediatrics for always making me feel comfortable and providing me with the advice and resources necessary to keep a healthy smile. As always, I look forward to seeing everyone again at my next dental checkup."

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. Don't forget to LIKE us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter for updates and industry news!

Travel Tips for Oral Health

 

With the last month of summer fun underway, it’s time to grab the kids, pack up the car, and head out to enjoy your final family vacation of summer 2016.

But just because you’re away from home doesn’t mean your daily routines should be put on hold until your return. Make sure your kids keep up with their oral health even while on the go with these tips!

1. Book your check up with us! Before heading out, make sure to bring the family in for a thorough exam. This way, we can spot any problems early so you can have peace of mind while away.
2. Keep our contact information handy. Many dental emergencies can be resolved over the phone. If you’re worried and feel like you need to speak to one of our doctors give us a call – we’ll also be able to let you know if this is something that can wait until you get home or if it’s something more serious.
3. Forgot your toothbrush? For a quick fix we suggest vigorously rinsing your mouth with water to dislodge any debris from teeth. You can also add some toothpaste to a clean washcloth or your finger until you find a drugstore.
4. Make sure you transport your toothbrush properly. A plastic bag is great to keep it separated from other items in your medicine bag. Once you get to your destination, set your toothbrush out to air dry.
5. Get yourself back on track. If you weren't practicing the best oral health while away, don’t stress. Just be sure to get yourself back to brushing for two minutes twice daily and flossing regularly once home.

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. Don't forget to LIKE us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter for updates and industry news!

Celebrate National Fresh Breath Day!

 

It’s National Fresh Breath Day! Annually observed on August 6th, Fresh Breath Day was created to highlight the importance of oral hygiene and to stress that brushing for two minutes twice daily, flossing, tongue scraping, and keeping up with regular dental visits all help in keeping bad breath at bay.

Here are three ways to celebrate National Fresh Breath Day! 

1. Make sure you are brushing and flossing correctly.
It’s not enough to just brush and floss regularly if you aren’t doing it right! Make sure everyone in your family brushes for two full minutes at least twice a day for a thorough cleaning. And don’t forget the floss! Flossing is crucial for removing debris stuck between teeth (which can cause bad breath) - an area a toothbrush may not reach. 

2. Drink more water.
Not only does water help remove particles between teeth and but it helps boost saliva production. Drinking water helps moisten the mouth, kicking bad breath to the curb!

3. Be mindful of stinky foods.
Seems obvious, but stinky foods like onions, garlic, and even coffee, all have smells that linger long after consumption. Be mindful of what you decide to snack on today!

Have questions about improving bad breath? Give one of our offices a call or stop by our Massapequa location this weekend. We’ll be taking part in the Massapequa Park Street Fair and will be available to answer any questions and provide a tour of our office!