What To Do About Teething

Every baby goes through the process of teething in different way. This can be an especially difficult time for new parents as you might not be sure of what to expect, what’s normal, and how to deal with the discomfort. Here are some teething tips to keep your know what’s going on and to keep your baby happy!

What To Expect

Some babies might have no problems with teething while others will get the worst of it. If your baby is experiencing the latter, some symptoms can include:

Coughing

Eating less

Lack of sleep

Biting

Sore Gums

You may also notice that your baby is starting to drool more than usual and biting at his or her hand. This is a soothing action for your baby as it causes pressure on the gums where the teeth are breaking through.

Dealing With These Symptoms

Dealing with the symptoms of a teething baby is never easy and often requires a lot of patients. The most effective thing you can do is try and ease the discomfort as much as possible using teething toys, a cold washcloth, or medication recommended by your baby’s doctor. These can help numb the gums and ease the pressure caused by the growing teeth.

If you any any other questions about teething, please contact us!

Ways To Make Flossing Fun

Emphasizing the importance of flossing and gum health to kids is more difficult than it seems. Are you a parent of a child that isn’t the biggest fan of his/her nightly dental routine? You’re not alone! There are more than enough ways to make flossing fun, so here are a few of our favorites!

Use a Reward System

A reward doesn’t have to be tangible such as a new toy or book, but it can be some extra time playing outside, a story before bed, or going to a friend’s house after school.

Let Them Choose

We all enjoy picking out our own things or the stuff we like, so why not do the same with oral hygiene products? Let your child choose his/her mouthwash, the color of their toothbrush or floss! This can help bring excitement to the sink with their personal preference.

Make Up a Song

Put together rhythms and rhymes, make it silly or serious, but try to have fun with it!

Floss as a Family

Children tend to mimic those they look up to. As a parent, they see you doing things every single day, and this is where great habits can form. Floss together and show them how!

For additional information and flossing tips, contact us today!

Thanksgiving Foods That Harm Your Teeth

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and it’s kicking off with the most anticipated meal of the year — Thanksgiving! As you and your little ones mill about the kitchen this week in preparation for the festivities, it’s important to keep dental health top of mind. It may surprise you to hear that some of your favorite Thanksgiving staples can actually cause harm to your family’s pearly whites.

What Thanksgiving foods should we avoid?

Cranberry Sauce: You guessed it… this Thanksgiving staple is loaded with sugar to combat the tart berries, so for sure, it can be harmful to your teeth. Not only that, but its acidity and vibrant red color can strain or damage your teeth as well.

Candied Yams: This one is a catch twenty-two! While yams themselves are loaded with Vitamins A and C, which help keep gums healthy, candying them also adds excess sugar to the mix. Our recommendation? Prepare this sans-marshmallow!

Mashed Potatoes & Gravy: What’s Thanksgiving without a side of mashed potatoes smothered in juicy gravy? We know this one is hard to swallow, but all that starchy goodness can attract cavity-causing bacteria, too. The gravy, being liquid, can coat your teeth with a layer of plaque-attracting sugar, as well — yuck!

What can we do to keep Thanksgiving tooth-friendly?

• Drink plenty of water to wash away residual food particles.
• Eat sugary, sticky or stringy foods in moderation.
• Pair sticky foods with non-sticky foods to reduce the risk of sticking!
• Don’t forget to floss away leftover debris after eating.
• Brush, brush, brush!!

Is it time to schedule your child’s bi-annual cleaning and exam? If so, reach out to one of our three Long Island locations today! We offer pediatric dental services in Massapequa Park, Nesconset, and West Islip.

Thanksgiving Family Fun on Long Island

One week left until it’s time to carve the turkey and present your great aunt's famous green bean casserole at the Thanksgiving dinner table! If you’re anything like us, you and your family can’t wait to dig in… and maybe you don’t have to. There are plenty of pre-Thanksgiving festivities taking place on Long Island this weekend to help you and your little ones get in the giving spirit. Here are a few of our favorites:

The Massapequa Park Turkey Trot

Saturday, November 18, at 7 a.m.

It’s not too late to strap on some festive fitness gear and gobble your way to the finish line in one of our hometowns! Funds from this year’s run will benefit YES Community Counseling and the fight against drug use to promote healthy families and a safe community. There’s even a youth fun run for the little ones!

1863 Thanksgiving at Old Bethpage Village Restoration

Saturday, November 18-Sunday, November 19, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Take a step back in time, or several, to 1863! Enjoy the sights, sounds, and aromas of an old-fashioned Thanksgiving with friends, family and the historical reenactors of Old Bethpage Village Restoration. There’ll be turkeys roasting over an open fire, pumpkin pies baking in a beehive oven, and more!

2017 Native American Feast

Saturday, November 18-Sunday, November 19, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Prefer to find out what Thanksgiving with the Native Americans was like instead? Head on down to Garvies Point Museum and Preserve in Glen Cove. You and your family will get to experience Northeastern Native American culture with ancient pottery making methods, primitive fire building, on-site open fire cooking, and more!

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental provides all-encompassing pediatric dental care that will positively impact your child’s life forever. If you haven’t already scheduled your appointment, please give us a call today at one of our three locations — Massapequa Park, Nesconset or West Islip.

When Should My Child Have His First Dental Visit?

If you’re thinking you’ll wait to visit the pediatric dentist until your little one’s first full set of chompers has arrived, you’d be surprised to hear you’re terribly wrong! Studies have shown that most children don’t visit the dentist until they’re over two-years-old, but experts suggest you make that first appointment sooner rather than later.

So, when is the best time to take your wee one to the dentist?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that a child goes to the dentist by age one or within six months after the first tooth erupts.

What keeps parents from making a pediatric dental appointment?

Well, for starters, many people don’t realize the impact that early intervention has on a child’s overall oral hygiene — both mentally and physically. How your child’s baby teeth are cared for has a direct correlation on the formation of their adult teeth, and how they will learn to care for them. But that’s not all!

Why do primary teeth matter so much?

They’re going to fall out regardless, right? Sure, but having healthy primary teeth helps children learn to chew and speak properly. They also pave the way for sparkling permanent teeth and promote a healthy smile.

So, what are you waiting for? If your little one is ready for their first dental cleaning and exam at Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental, reach out to one of our three Long Island locations today! We offer pediatric dental services in Massapequa Park, Nesconset, and West Islip.

3 Things Your Pediatric Dentist Wants You to Know

We get it, life as a parent can be stressful. Fortunately, we can help take your parental dental duties out of that stress-ridden equation altogether. Remember these five pediatric dental do’s and you’ll be in better shape to cross “visit the dentist with Little Johnny” off your never-ending to-do list!

1. Don’t procrastinate that first dental exam. It may surprise you to hear it’s recommended you schedule your child’s first dental exam as early as six months after their first tooth has erupted. For most children, that timeframe lands around the age of one. Remember, the earlier you get your child in the habit of taking care of his or her teeth, the better.
   
2. General v. pediatric — the decision matters! In case you missed it, we recently explained the general v. pediatric dentist debate, and explained why you should choose a pediatric dentist all the way! In short, we’re extensively trained to treat children specifically.
   
3. Say no to soda altogether. Did you know that sugary liquid is even worse for your child’s teeth and gums than sugary solids? That’s right! So while you’re pushing candy out the door, take the soda and sugar-filled juices along with it!

Here at Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental, our main focus is the children! We work hard to make sure your child’s primary teeth are in tip-top shape in order to make way for even healthier permanent teeth. Is it time to schedule your child’s bi-annual cleaning and exam? If so, reach out to one of our three Long Island locations today! We offer pediatric dental services in Massapequa Park, Nesconset, and West Islip.

How Do Pediatric Dentists Differ From Family Dentists?

You may be asking yourself, “what’s the benefit of choosing a pediatric dentist for my child over a family dentist?” The answer, in short — a lot! Allow us to break down some of the main differences that make pediatric dentists the obvious choice for parents worldwide.

Pediatric dentists receive specialized training.

All pediatric dentists are required to complete a minimum of two years as a full-time resident, receiving additional training specific to children’s oral health. During this specialized training period, each dentist gains experience evaluating and treating developmental and growth issues related to the mouth, jaw, face, and head for children of all ages — including treatments requiring sedation or anesthesia.

Pediatric dentists are 100% kid-friendly.

From the kid-friendly tactics they learn and implement from their residencies to the fun and inviting atmosphere of their office, pediatric dentists are all about kids! Let’s face it, dealing with wee ones can be difficult, especially when it comes to dental health. We know how frightening the dentist can be for children, but as pediatric dentists, we’ve been trained how to put your children at ease and get them on the road to better dental hygiene in no time.

Here at Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental, our main focus is the children! We work hard to make sure your child’s primary teeth are in tip-top shape in order to make way for even healthier permanent teeth. Is it time to schedule your child’s bi-annual cleaning and exam? If so, reach out to one of our three Long Island locations today! We offer pediatric dental services in Massapequa Park, Nesconset, and West Islip.