Family Friendly New Year’s Resolutions

While you’re busy making your own New Year's resolutions, don’t forget to teach your little ones to do the same thing. Children tend to follow through when they see their parents sticking to their own goals as well — so why not make some resolutions together as a family!

Here are 5 New Year’s resolutions you and your kids can make (and actually achieve) for 2019!

Resolution 1: Get more sleep.
Grouchy, grumpy kids are just a ray of sunshine in the mornings, aren’t they? Help them resolve to get more sleep each night. This is also something the whole family can aim to do together! Limit screen time and wind down a bit earlier than usual so it’s not a drastic change.

Resolution 2: Drink more water.
As you know, soft drinks and juices tend to be loaded with sugar and artificial ingredients. These beverages can lead to tooth decay, gum disease as well as contribute to childhood obesity. Instead, try to limit the amount of soda or juices in your home. Encourage your kids to drink water instead!

Resolution 3: Learn a new skill.
Learning new skills or finding new hobbies can be exciting! Is there something your child has been interested in, but yet hasn’t had the time or resources to learn it? Whether it’s learning to play the piano or learning how to bake, help them pursue their dreams!

Resolution 4: Volunteer in your community.
From participating in charity walks to volunteering at local animal shelters, there’s no shortage of community activities your family can participate in on Long Island. Resolve to volunteer your time at one event this new year — if you all enjoy it, sign up for another! This is a great way to spend quality time with your family while also giving back to your local community.

Resolution 5: Schedule (and go to) doctor appointments.
We’re sure you saw this one coming, but when it comes to staying healthy, preventative care is key! This includes your twice a year dental visits as well as regular checkups with your primary care physician.

There you have it! What other resolutions is your family making this New Year? Let us know in the comments on our Facebook Page! And to schedule your next dental visit, click here»

Flu Prevention Tips

The bad news? Cold and flu season is here. The good news? By instilling some good health habits, you and your family can help stop the spread of germs!

While the flu can affect anyone, it tends to hit the very young and the very old the hardest. For those with little ones or grandparents in the home, here’s how you can take action to fight the flu this season:

Wash your hands -- thoroughly! While this seems obvious, a quick rinse isn’t going to kill germs. To completely rid a virus from your skin, you must wash your hands in warm water with soap for 20 seconds or more. Be sure to scrub the backs of your hands and between your fingers well -- try singing “Happy Birthday” to yourself twice to meet the required length of time.

Avoid close contact. Try to keep your distance from others that may be sick. If you do come in close contact, be sure to wash your hands and avoid touching your nose, eyes, or mouth, as this is an easy way to spread unwanted germs.

Keep a healthy lifestyle. The healthier you are, the better your body is at defending the cold or flu! Be sure your family gets enough sleep, eats plenty of nutritious foods, and drinks lots of fluids!

Practice proper oral heath habits. Before and after brushing, be sure to wash your hands to prevent bacteria from entering your mouth. Also, never share your toothbrush with other family members and store all brushes separately to prevent airborne bacteria hoping from one brush to the next!

If you have any questions about how to better care for your child’s oral health, give any of our offices a call. Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dentistry has three convenient Long Island locations. We specialize in caring for children’s teeth in a comfortable and caring environment. Don't forget to LIKE us on Facebook for updates and industry news!

Common Winter Mouth Woes

Winter may be chilly, but that shouldn’t stop all the fun! But sometimes, the mixture of the cool temperatures and harsh winds can wreak havoc on your little one and their mouth. 

Feel free to enjoy the winter in as many ways as you can think of, but be aware of these common winter mouth woes in the process to ensure your child keeps smiling throughout the season.

Canker Sores
Those winter treats may taste great, but they don’t sit well in your mouth. The higher consumption of acidic foods in the winter is a recipe for canker sores. Of course, completely avoiding these holiday treats may be easier said than done. If your child winds up suffering, try swishing one teaspoon of salt and a half-cup of water to help clean the sores or contact us and inquire about our laser dentistry services!

Cold Sores
You don’t just need to protect yourself from the sun in the warmer months. Continue to use products with an SPF of 15 or higher, even in the winter, as exposure to sun can lead to cold sore breakouts. Additionally, make sure your child is getting a good night's rest and regularly keeping their hands clean to avoid the spread of any bacteria. 

Teeth Sensitivity
Your child may feel a sharp pain while eating during the colder months of the year. Even if you take precautionary measures to avoid certain foods, the cold temperature and wind can be enough to leave their teeth feeling sore. Try brushing with a desensitizing toothpaste.

Chapped Lips
Exposure to wind, cold, and sun creates the perfect environment for dry lips. Make sure you and your little ones are wearing a daily SPF lip balm and apply it often throughout the day. Drink plenty of water and think about installing a humidifier in your rooms. A little extra moisture in the chillier months never hurts!

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. Visit our website to schedule an appointment at one of our three locations.

Healthy Habits to Keep Your Kids Smiling Through the New Year

Can you believe 2019 is almost here? What better time than now to start considering some healthy changes you and your family can make for the new year.

Even a few, slight changes to your daily routine can provide lifelong benefits! See below for 5 quick tips:

1. Encourage physical activity. 
Everyone has a phone nowadays, including your little ones. Try to limit screen time and instead encourage more physical activity. Take your dog on a walk as a family, discover a new hobby, wander around a museum — anything to keep the blood flowing!

2. Eat and drink well. 
Opt for water over sugary juices and sodas! It’s also important for growing bones to eat a well-balanced diet. This means not skipping meals and incorporating a range of colors into your daily diet.

3. Get a good night’s rest.
Sleep is important to mental and physical health! But how much sleep is recommended? According to the National Sleep Foundation, the recommended sleep ranges are:

• Newborns (0-3 months): 14-17 hours
• Infants (4-11 months): 12-15 hours
• Toddlers (1-2 years): 11-14 hours
• Preschoolers (3-5): 10-13 hours
• School-age children (6-13): 9-11 hours
• Teenagers (14-17): 8-10 hours
• Younger adults (18-25) and Adults (26-64): 7-9 hours
• Older adults (65+): 7-8 hours 

4. Don’t skip your dental routine!
Set a good example for your kids and don’t forget your dental routine! That means remembering to brush twice every day, for two minutes and floss your teeth regularly. If you need help figuring out how to make teeth brushing fun, we’ve got you covered.

5. Get regular checkups.
Whether that means a dental checkup here at AMPD or a visit with your family doctor, you’ll want to ensure you don’t forget preventative health measures. Attending regular check-ups helps spot problems early, often when they’re most treatable.

There you have it — five healthy habits to keep your kids smiling through the new year. For questions or concerns regarding your family’s dental health this season, give us a call or click here to request your appointment»

National Dental Hygiene Month FAQs

The month of October is National Dental Hygiene Month, which means it’s the perfect time to teach your child about dental hygiene -- and how a good dental care routine now will last throughout adult years later.

Here are the top pediatric dental hygiene questions, answered, so you and your child can feel confident with their oral care now and in the future.

What is the best way to brush your teeth?

• Use a toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums.
• Brush the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces of the teeth.
• Brush in gentle up-and-down strokes to clean the inside of the teeth.
• To remove bacteria and freshen your breath, don’t forget to brush your tongue!

Need help getting your little ones to clean their chompers? Check out our tips and tricks here.

Is fluoride good or bad for children?
Too little or too much fluoride can both affect your child. Little to no fluoride will not help strengthen the teeth to fight against cavities. On the other hand, excessive fluoride can lead to dental fluorosis, which is a chalky white to brown discoloration of the permanent teeth.
TIP: Make sure your child uses the proper amount of fluoride toothpaste while brushing.
 
What is the right amount of fluoride for my child?
Fluoride has been shown to dramatically decrease a person's chances of getting cavities by making teeth stronger! As such, we recommend using fluoride toothpaste. If your child is younger than 3 years old, brush their teeth with an amount of fluoride toothpaste no larger than a grain of rice. Children, ages 3 to 6, should brush their teeth with a pea-sized amount. Once children are over the age of 6, ensure they are using fluoride properly and maintaining their dental care routine daily.
TIP: Teach your children right away how to spit out toothpaste rather than swallowing it.
 
How can I get rid of bad breath?
Halitosis, better known as bad breath, is caused by poor dental hygiene and plaque buildup. Remind your child to brush twice daily, floss, and rinse thoroughly in order to keep those mouth monsters away! 

When should I take my child to the dentist?
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the first visit to the dentist should be by your child’s first birthday. After that, depending on the child, you should schedule follow-up visits with your dentist every six months. This allows you to have peace of mind knowing that your child’s teeth are developing properly with a clean dental bill-of-health! 

To help your child maintain a healthy smile, make sure they keep up with their daily oral hygiene routine -- and, don’t forget to schedule your next appointment with the professionals at Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dentistry. We have three Long Island locations that specialize in caring for children’s teeth in a comfortable and caring environment. 

Your Comprehensive Guide to Athletic Mouthguards

You know what they say, “kids will be kids.” And with kids so full of energy, it’s no surprise they experience frequent bumps and bruises — especially when involved in athletics.

Chances are, at one point or another, you’ve had to comfort your little one over a bruised knee or scraped elbow. As such, you’ll invest in some extra protection, like elbow and knee pads, to keep them safe.

But there’s one piece of equipment that often gets overlooked, despite its importance. That’s right, you’ve guessed it — a mouthguard! Did you know, mouthguards can prevent more than 200,000 oral injuries a year? Yet despite this statistic, mouthguards are often seen as an optional piece of a uniform!

Who Should Wear a Mouthguard?

Everyone! Mouthguards aren’t just for professional boxers, they’re critical for all organized and unorganized sports, both at recreational and competitive levels.

Mouthguards are important for:

• Protecting against jaw joint and neck injuries
• Reducing risk and severity of a concussion
• Preventing chipped or broken teeth
• And more!

No matter your child’s age, gender, or skill level, there is a risk of sustaining a dental injury. While contact sports — like boxing, football, and lacrosse — seem most obvious, dental injuries are also prevalent in non-contact activities, like skating and gymnastics.

Are There Different Types of Athletic Mouthguards?

There are three types of mouthguards:

1. Stock guards — These are available for purchase in sporting goods stores as is. A low-cost option, stock guards offer the least protection since there is no fit adjustment.
2. Mouth-formed guards — One of the more popular solutions, these guards can be submerged in boiling water and formed to the mouth with biting pressure. Certainly more unique to the athlete’s mouth than the stock guard, it’s important to note that typically these often do not cover ALL of the back teeth.
3. Custom-made guards — Provided by your dentist (like AMPD!). These guards are made from exact molds of your child’s own teeth and created from resilient and tear resistant materials ensuring the best fit.

Each of the above guards varies in comfort and price but do all provide some degree of protection. And while any mouthguard is better than no mouthguard, we encourage you to choose the custom-fit solution. Why? They’re the most comfortable, as they’re fit uniquely to your athlete’s mouth. And being custom-made, you’ll find it does not restrict speech or breathing — which is so important!

How to Care for Your Mouthguard

"Everything that a microorganism needs to survive, including food and water, can be found in a mouthguard. While mouthguards appear solid, they are very porous, like a sponge, and with use, microorganisms invade these porosities." — Thomas Glass, DDS, PhD, lead author of a study from the Academy of General Dentistry.

That being said, keeping your mouthguard clean is of utmost importance. Before and after each use, clean the guard using a toothbrush and toothpaste — you can also opt for washing with soapy water, rinsing thoroughly. In terms of storage and transportation, keep the mouthguard in a well ventilated, sturdy container (making sure not to leave it in the sun). Finally, examine the guard daily for wear and tear and replace immediately if it becomes loose or damaged.

Make an Appointment for Your Child at Our Mouthguard Center

We’re pleased to offer the Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental Mouthguard Center in each of our three locations! And you don’t have to be one of our regular patients to take advantage of this service! Contact us today to make an appointment; we’ll take an impression of your child’s teeth and create a guard with the highest level of comfort and protection. We can even use colors to coincide with their school, intramural, or PAL league’s uniform.

Sports Safety Tips: Stay Protected [Infographic]

Playing sports and enjoying recreational activities is a normal part of being a kid, but unfortunately, with these activities, injuries can and do occur. One way to help reduce injury risk? Make sure your athlete is wearing the right protective gear for their activity. Here’s how your child can keep their face and head protected this sports season!

Helmets

Designed to prevent skull fractures (not concussions) and worn for football, softball, baseball, hockey, and men’s lacrosse. Pro tip: Look for a helmet with the ‘Meets NOCSAE Standard’ label to ensure it meets performance and protection standards.

Sports Goggles

According to The Vision Council, more than 600,000 eye injuries related to sports occur each year. Eye gear should be worn for any sport that has flying objects (balls, sticks, rackets) or involves close contact with other players (like basketball) to prevent risk of eye injury.

Throat Guards

Throat guards are worn by hockey & lacrosse goalies and baseball & softball catchers, but aren’t required for field players. Injuries to the structures of the throat can be severe or life-threatening, so consider adding this to your child’s uniform.

Mouthguards

Mouthguards can prevent more than 200,000 oral injuries a year! They’re designed to cushion a blow to the face, minimizing risk of broken or knocked out teeth, or other injuries. They also help reduce the risk and severity of a concussion. Mouthguards should be worn in all sports that pose dangers to the mouth and teeth.

If your child is in need of a custom mouthguard, make an appointment at AMPD’s Mouthguard Center of Long Island! We will fit your child with a mouthguard specific to their mouth and they can choose their colors to coincide with their school, intramural, or PAL league’s uniform. Contact us today for more information!