Understanding Special Needs Dentistry

Children with special needs need oral treatment much like anyone else; however they benefit most from seeing a dentist who caters explicitly to these patients. Often, special needs kids have special dental considerations; some are very susceptible to tooth decay; others require medication or a diet that is detrimental to dental health. Still, others find brushing and flossing to be difficult.

At Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental and Orthodontics, we're proud to have a team of doctors who are specially trained in providing dental care for handicapped and special healthcare needs patients! 

Special Needs Dentists

A special needs dentist is specially trained to care for their patients with unique dental and developmental considerations. We understand how your child’s teeth may be affected and do everything we can to make your visit a positive experience. By visiting the same dentist for each appointment, your child will be able to bond and feel more comfortable every time.

Special Needs Considerations

In some cases, your child may not understand why exactly they are at the dentist or why it is important to stay still during their appointment. To be sure that your child’s dental work is done correctly and safely you may need to consider restraint or sedation. Before your appointment, our doctors will discuss the different methods that can be used to guarantee your child’s comfort. At this time, you may also want to discuss any medications, dietary restrictions, and any other habits your child has that may affect their teeth.

If you're looking for a special needs dentist on Long Island, we're only a phone call away! Now with FOUR locations, we specialize in caring for children's teeth in a comfortable and caring environment. Contact us today to learn more.

Introducing the New iTero Scanner at AMPD

At Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dentists and Orthodontics, we consistently strive to offer the latest and greatest technologies to our patients. That’s why we’re so proud to bring you the iTero Element 2 Scanner!

Despite our best efforts, traditional impressions aren’t the most comfortable of processes. They’re gooey, unpleasant tasting, and restrict breathing and swallowing. That’s where the iTero comes in! This new scanner allows us to create a goop-free, digital impression, FAST.

Digital impressions are more comfortable and more accurate. With detailed impressions of the teeth and gums, we’re able to view 3D scans onscreen immediately. There’s also an Invisalign Outcome Simulator so we can visualize the “end” result of the Invisalign treatment.

Here’s how it works:

1. The Wand — this helps us capture detailed images inside of the mouth.
2. The Scan — you can watch along on screen, in real time.
3. The 3D Model — once the scan is finished, we’ll have a 3D model for use in planning Invisalign treatment!
4. The Invisalign Outcome Simulator — as mentioned above, we can actually view the “end” result of Invisalign treatment. Removing all guesswork from the process! 

Be sure to schedule your complimentary consultation today!

For more information on our pediatric dental services, feel free to explore our website. When it comes to your child’s treatment plan, there is no one size fits all solution. That is why at AMPD, our team is always available to explain all options and discuss all treatments with you and your child! Contact us today!

Importance of Establishing a Dental Home

As a parent, one of the most exciting events in your child’s first year of life is watching their first tiny baby tooth come in. And one of the most important things you can do for their oral health at this time is establish a dental home! 

Regular visits to the same dental office provide numerous benefits to your little one. So if you’re in the market for a dentist, here are some things you should know (and how our AMPD team can help!): 

Start With a Simple Meet and Greet

One of the first visits your child has at the office should involve more than just their oral care. At a meet and greet, your child should meet the staff, get a feel of the dental chair, and even learn a few things about the tools that we use. We’ve found that most children fear strangers more than going to the dentist, so a meet and greet will help ease their anxiety.

Create Positive Associations at an Early Age

With the meet and greet handled, we will then focus on creating positive experiences that prevent the development of new dental fears. Our state of the art equipment allows us to do things such as provide no shot treatments so that your child does not associate going to the dentist with pain or discomfort.

Read More: How To Make Dental Visits Stress Free

Know How to Handle Each New Stage

Being a parent often feels like stepping into new territory without a guide map. Fortunately, your child’s dental home is the one place you know you can go to get the answers that you need on how to care for their teeth. Are you worried about a baby tooth that seems to be growing in wrong? Or maybe you need help getting your older child to floss. We’ve got all of the answers to those questions and more, and we make sure to leave plenty of time at every appointment to get them all answered.

Work With Dentists Who Understand Special Needs

Every child is unique and deserves to enjoy a quality experience no matter what their skills or abilities may be. Your child’s dental home should include a staff of pediatric dentists who understand how to work with children who have special needs. Whether your child needs long treatments broken up into smaller appointments or requires assistance getting in and out of the chair, they benefit from having dentists who know just how to provide the right amount of help at every appointment.

Benefit From Extensive Training and Experience

Pediatric dentists enjoy going above and beyond for their patients, and they prove it by making the decision to attend two to three years of specialized education after regular dental school.

We encourage you to check out our dentist profiles to learn more about each member of our team. We have all made it our mission to pursue educational experiences that allow us to deliver top quality services to the little ones that visit our office.

Love Watching Your Child Smile

You love your child, and their smile can brighten up any room. When you establish a dental home for your child, you give them the best chances of preserving each one of those tiny teeth. You’ll also love watching your child smile as they grow, and that is reason enough to find a dental home today.

Going to the dentist can easily become the highlight of your child’s oral health care routine. We understand that choosing a dental home for your child is a serious decision. Be sure to visit our website or give us a call with your questions so that we can help you transform your child’s dental visits into a positive experience!

5 Ways You Can Get Ready for National Children's Dental Health Month

T-minus two days until National Children’s Dental Health Month! 

What once began as a two city event in 1941 has developed into a nationwide annual program each February. This month long observance is meant to educate and promote the importance of oral health. 

By instilling good oral health habits early, your child will have a better chance at having a beautiful smile for years to come!

Here are five ways you can help get ready for National Children’s Dental Health Month:

1. Make oral health a routine - Brushing for two minutes twice daily and flossing regularly should be as much of a routine as making a bed or putting toys away. Be a positive role model for your children, if they see you brushing and flossing regularly, they’ll be more likely to follow suit.
2. Incorporate oral health into reading - Whether your child needs to read a certain number of books for school assignments or you incorporate reading into your bedtime rituals, choose a book specific to oral health! From brushing teeth to rockin’ braces — check out our Pinterest board for some inspiration!
3. Offer healthy snacks regularly - If your kids are used to eating healthy snacks, they’ll be more likely to continue for years to come. Get even the pickiest of eaters used to healthy choices that naturally maintain and improve oral health. For example, dairy products (like cheese, milk, and yogurt) contain calcium and protein which helps strengthen tooth enamel. Veggies are high in vitamins and minerals that contain numerous health benefits while also stimulating saliva!
4. Don’t miss dental appointments! With so many activities going on, it’s easy to push dental visits to the side. But committing to a twice annual check up is crucial to maintaining oral health. These visits help us spot any problems early, when they’re more treatable. Plus, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your child’s teeth are developing properly with a clean dental bill of health!
5. Contact us for a school visit or info session - What better way to teach the importance of oral health than by hearing it from us! We’d be more than happy to come to your local school for a dental health info session. We are also accepting meetings at all three of our locations for any local girl scout or cub scout troop! Scouts will be given a small presentation on good and bad snacks and how to keep teeth clean and health. 
   

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!

How To Make Dental Visits Stress Free

Dental visits can be stressful for both parent and child — they can also cause children to experience a great deal of anxiety! Fortunately, there are things that you can do to keep your little ones calm before heading into an appointment.

Educate Them About the Dentist 
One of the reasons that children are so afraid of the dentist is because they do not know what to expect! You should talk to your child about the dentist before their appointment — explain to them what will happen and let them know there is nothing to be afraid of!

Take Them to Their Dentist by Their First Birthday 
Taking your child to the dentist early will help them get adjusted to the environment as you’ll be establishing a dental home for years to come! Not to mention, early intervention helps prevent serious dental problems.

Pair the Dental Visit With Another Fun Activity 
While we know our office itself is a fun place to visit — with all the games and activities we have — why not make a day out of it! Head out to a movie, go bowling, or treat your child to their favorite restaurant.

Encourage Good Dental Habits at Home 
You can get your child comfortable with the idea of dental care by establishing good habits at home. If they are familiar with brushing and flossing, then chances are they won’t feel as stressed in the office.

Bring Your Child to AMPD!
One of the easiest ways to make dental visits stress free? Choosing our office, of course! Our office focuses on being a fun and easy environment for all of our families — with a fun, under the sea theme, video games, and TV.

If you are a new patient to our practice, as a courtesy we’d love to extend you our offer of $105 off your new patient exam, cleaning and fluoride! This coupon is valid at any of our three Long Island locations — contact us today!

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!