How To Ease Your Child's Dental Fear

Many have a fear of going to the dentist and that includes children; however, there are things we, as parents, can do that can help such as initiating your child’s visits to the dentist early, at age one or when the first tooth is visible.

Follow the KISS principle

Most importantly, keep it simple when you talk with them about going to see the dentist. Too many details can cause questions and that could increase your child’s anxiety. Keep your conversation positive but don’t give them false hope.

Be Careful With Your Words

In addition, be careful of the words you use when talking with them about visiting the dentist. For example, avoid the words hurt or pain. Instead, tell them that they are going to the dentist so that the dentist can look at their smile and count their teeth.

Try Make Believe

Another way to put your child’s mind at ease is to make believe that you and your child are at the dentist’s. Take a toothbrush count the teeth on your child’s teeth. Use numbers or the alphabet.

• Be careful not to make drilling noises. 
• If you have a small dental mirror and a small explorer, pretend that you are checking their teeth. 
• This procedure will prepare them for their first dental appointment. Picture books that you can get on the Web can also help. 

Expect Turbulence

Keep in mind; your child may cry, wiggle and not want to be examined by someone they don’t know. Stay calm and know that the dentist and staff are prepared for some fussing. They might ask you to stay for awhile or hold their hand. This may help to calm them down and get them through the dental process.

Explain The Importance Of The Dentist

Most importantly, explain to your child how important it is to see the dentist so that their teeth stay healthy and prevent cavities.

• This will help your child to see how important it is to have good oral health. 
• At our dental clinic, we know how important healthy teeth are for overall good health. 

Make an appointment soon at Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental and find out how our dental services can ease your child into good dental care.

What Does A Hygienist Do?

A dental hygienist plays an important role in the care of our teeth. A licensed and degreed health professional, he or she works under the supervision of a dentist to provide preventative care and teach patients about oral hygiene. A hygienist also assists a dentist in the treatment of dental problems.

Cleaning Teeth

A hygienist cleans the patient’s teeth, removing plaque and stains. He or she cleans beneath the gum margins and also flosses the teeth.

Examination

While cleaning the teeth, a hygienist examines the teeth and gums for signs of problems, including tooth decay, receding gums, excessive bleeding of the gums, and any sores or lesions in the mouth. A hygienist also asks the patient about his or her oral hygiene habits and about any pain or discomfort or other symptoms.

Dental X-Rays

X-rays allow dentists to see problems between teeth and under fillings, where they would otherwise be unable to see. They allow dentists to identify problems early, before noticeable symptoms develop. A hygienist typically takes and develops x-rays for the dentist.

Patient Education

A hygienist plays an important role in the education of patients about oral hygiene. He or she teaches patients the proper way to brush and floss and explains the importance of doing so regularly. A hygienist also explains what the dentist is going to be doing so patients know what to expect.

Charting

A hygienist is responsible for noting any tooth decay or other problems in the patient’s chart, as well as detailing any treatment recommended by the dentist. Complete and accurate charting is important for continuity of care and is also needed if dental insurance is going to cover the cost of a patient’s care.

Equipment and Supplies

Stocking supplies, making sure the dentist has everything he or she needs to perform treatments, and cleaning and maintaining equipment are other tasks handled by a dental hygienist. Though this typically takes place “behind the scenes,” it’s critical for safe and effective patient care and infection control.

Dental hygienists are a vital part of our success. For more information or any questions, contact us!

How Children’s Teeth Erupt and Fall Out

Though they can’t be seen when most babies are born, teeth start to grow in a baby’s jaw surprisingly early in pregnancy. Beneath those bare gums are the buds of all of the baby teeth. As the baby grows, the teeth start to form around the buds, helped by calcium from the baby’s diet. The calcium deposits develop and harden in rings that very much resemble the rings in a tree.

How The Teeth Erupt

When the baby’s about six months old, their primary/deciduous or baby teeth start to erupt and push through the gums. The first baby teeth to erupt are the incisors, which are used for cutting and are found in the front and center of the jaws. Then, the first molars erupt followed by the canines and the second molars.

Your child has 20 baby teeth. These teeth come in until the child is nearly three years old, and they should have had their first visit to the pediatric dentist by then. This not only allows our staff to examine the new patient to make sure that all’s well, but gets the child used to going to the dentist.

The function of these baby teeth are to serve as placeholders for the permanent teeth and to develop the structures of the oral cavity. Eventually, the roots of the baby teeth start to dissolve. This is perfectly natural and normal. Eventually, the baby teeth fall out and make way for the permanent teeth.

There are 32 permanent teeth. The first to come are the six year molars, followed by the incisors, the canines, the cuspids and the second and third molars.

These permanent teeth develop from the same tooth buds as the baby teeth. Permanent teeth come in between the ages of six or seven and can continue until the person is in their early 20s.

Wisdom teeth are the third molars, and sometimes the jaw is not long enough for them to erupt properly. Some wisdom teeth do not erupt at all while others partially erupt or erupt on their sides. These teeth need to be taken out by the dentist because they can't be cared for properly and invite harmful bacteria.

Make an Appointment with Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental

Has your little one’s teeth started to come in? Congratulations! Now, make an appointment to see our staff at Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental. We have three convenient locations for our Long Island patients. Our numbers are:

Massapequa Park: (516) 798-1111
Nesconset: (631) 360-7337
West Islip: (631) 661-7337

Contact us today!

Why Dental Cleanings Are Essential

Routine dental cleaning sessions are important. They're actually vital for people of all age groups. From children, young adults, and elderly people, the positives of dental cleaning sessions are worth sharing!

Stopping Cavities

Dental cleaning can stop cavities from making your days unpleasant and painful. Cavities feel awful and call for fillings. Cleaning does away with the pale film layers that accumulate on top of the teeth. Plaque isn't just annoying. It also triggers severe tooth decay. This decay is acidic and can seriously destroy your tooth enamel. If you ignore the whole situation, plaque can even cause the development of cavities. If you want to get persistent plaque off your teeth, dental cleaning appointments are a must. Thorough flossing and brushing can help, too.

Whiter Teeth

Dental cleaning sessions are invaluable for people who want radiantly white teeth. Many things can bring on teeth staining and discoloration. Heavy coffee, wine and tea consumption are a few things. Tobacco use is yet another. If you wish that your teeth were white and devoid of icky staining, you need to get regular dental cleanings.

Fresher Breath

It can be highly unpleasant to be in the company of someone who has breath that's not exactly lovely. You don't ever want to subject another person to foul breath. Dental cleanings can be great for people who want to keep nasty halitosis away. If you want to stop lingering bad breath, then you need to focus on strong oral hygiene practices day in and day out. Dental cleaning sessions are a big part of outstanding and effective oral hygiene routines.

A Healthy Mouth

The mere idea of loss of teeth can be pretty frightening. If you want to protect your smile from missing teeth, dental cleaning sessions are your finest bet. Plaque accumulation can make people a lot more susceptible to gum disease. Gum disease, in turn, can in many cases encourage tooth loss. If you're interested in keeping your teeth fully intact, then nothing can top a classic cleaning session in the dentist's chair.

If you are searching for A+ dental cleaning for a child on Long Island, New York? Reach out to Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental now for appointment scheduling.

Fun Facts About Saliva

Saliva is a watery substance that is found in the mouths of all people. This substance is a natural part of the body that is used for chewing and swallowing food and it is also used to aid in the digestion process. Saliva not only helps us with the eating process it is also used to destroy bacteria, reduce incidence of tooth decay and it helps us to talk. Let’s check out some fun facts about saliva and how important this substance is for parents and their kids.

Saliva Is Your Mouth’s Personal Ph Level Monitoring System 

Saliva contains various substances such as proteins, enzymes, buffering agents and salts which keeps the inside of your from becoming to acidic. This natural monitoring system will kick in when the acid levels increase within a person’s mouth. This is an especially good thing for children who usually do not have good oral care or proper eating habits.

Saliva Makes Some Things Taste Sweet 

Your child will probably get a big kick out this fun fact about saliva. Ptyalin is a substance that is contained inside of saliva that makes bread and other starchy foods taste sweet. Ptyalin is an enzyme and when it comes into contact with starchy foods it produces this type of flavor. 

Saliva Is A Natural Bacteria Fighter

Saliva is a natural bacteria fighter and your drooling kids have the best defense against these microorganisms. That is because their drool constantly washes away and destroys the bacteria. Just so you know, when we sleep at night, we produce less saliva. This is the main reason why our breath smells so terrible in the morning. 

Saliva Neutralizes Acids Within Your Child's Mouth

Certain foods have acids that damages a person’s teeth. It can ruin the enamel and cause discoloration. However, saliva neutralizes the acid allowing your kids to drink carbonated beverages, orange juice and other foods. 

Keep in mind that saliva does other great things such as moisten the foods we eat, and it also helps to keep your kids mouths lubricated while they run, play and act foolish throughout the day. One thing all parents should do is to take their kids to the dentist for a regular checkup. Remember saliva can only do so much to naturally protect your oral health. 

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental is a great place to take your children for a dental visit. This is a kid-friendly place where young patients can receive the best oral care possible. Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental has three great locations in the New York area. Parents your child and you can find out more about this great dentist organization by reading our website!

Tips on How to Get Your Child to Their First Appointment

Even as parents a trip to the dentist doesn’t sound like the most exciting thing. However, it’s important to get your child to the first dental appointment, even if it feels more like a chore than an exciting time. Here are some ways you can make it a bit easier on you and your child.

Preparation Comes Early

Some of the things that a dentist is going to do to check your baby’s teeth are completely unfamiliar to them. Before going to the dentist, you may want to prepare them a bit by mimicking some of the actions yourself and getting them familiarized with them.

Practice Brushing Teeth

Give your child their own little toothbrush with some safe toothpaste and let them go crazy. They may not brush their teeth, but they’ll get used to the idea of what may happen at the dentist and they’ll be practicing safe oral health habits at the same time.

Pick the Right Dentist

The dentist you choose for your child can make all of the difference in the world with how they react. Make sure you choose someone who is caring, friendly, and responsive to you and your baby. They should be gentle and be able to offer specific advice about your child’s individual needs.

Know that the first trip isn’t anything extreme. In fact, most dental offices expect it to be difficult for the child to open up with them and be comfortable. That’s why a big part of the first trip to the dentist is to familiarize the child with the setting.

Our team at Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental works hard to ensure the first dental visit for all children is a comfortable one. Call us today to schedule your appointment.

Tops Tips For Soothing Teething Babies

One of the most difficult times for any new parent is the time when their baby begins to teeth. You may not see teeth, but you’ll know through a number of signs such as constant drooling, the baby trying to bite multiple items, crying, fever, and even potentially a runny nose or diarrhea.

Whatever the sign, the moment you know your baby is teething, it’s important to know what steps you can take to help soothe them as quickly as possible. They’re going through a painful and unfamiliar situation, so make sure you are soothing their mouths often. Here are some ways to do that.

Teething Rings

These are some of the best things you can have for children. Whether you’re using the basic toys for teething or you have a ring you can put in the freezer to help numb the gums, teething rings can make a huge difference in your child’s comfort.

A Clean Finger

It may seem weird to some parents, but a clean finger is as good a soother than anything you can buy at the store. Take some time and rub your baby’s gums with your finger, applying just enough pressure so they can feel the massaging feeling.

Frozen Washcloth

Similar to a frozen teething ring, a frozen washcloth will give the baby something to bite on and the coldness will help to numb the gums and soothe the pain. Just wet a washcloth and place it in the freezer for a while. The textured fabric will also help.

When you need pediatric dentistry services, put your trust in our team at Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental. We know how difficult teething can be, but there are plenty of options available to make it an easier, and less painful, time for both parents and baby.