Are Your Children Uninterested in Brushing? It's Time to Make Brushing FUN!

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City

585 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530

516-222-5100 

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

Do your children give you a hard time when you ask them to brush their teeth? They may ask why? Or do I have to? Does this sound familiar? If it does, your children may truly be looking for the reason on why they have to brush their teeth!

Did you know that 50% of children will have a cavity or filling between the ages of 5 and 9? This is why it is extremely important to instill healthy oral hygiene habits in your children from a young age.

A great way to get your kids interested in oral-hygiene and regular brushing is by making oral care more fun for them! Here are some tips on how to add some fun into brushing, courtesy of nickjr.com!

1. Show, Don't Tell.

Floss once a day and brush and rinse twice a day, every day. Share the experience with your kids. When leading by example, your kids are likely to imitate behavior and make oral hygiene feel less like a "kid thing." You may want to brush your kids' teeth at least once a week to demonstrate and make sure back teeth and gums are not being neglected.

2. Let Kids Decide.

Empower your kids by letting them choose a fun, colorful toothbrush made just for them, a cool and flavored toothpaste, and type of floss, so brushing will become less of a power struggle. Then keep the bathroom stocked with these favorite oral care goodies.

3. Make Brushing Fun.

Help your kids develop proper oral care habits and make it fun by incorporating pre- and post-brush rinses in their oral care regimen. Try different kinds of children's mouthwash to catch pesky food particles and germs that toothbrushing can leave behind.

4. Be a Star!

To further boost motivation, tack or tape a few photos of your kids' favorite role models, heroes, movie or TV stars, or singers--flashing their pearly whites, of course--onto the bathroom wall. This will remind your kids that a bright smile not only goes a long way in Hollywood and elsewhere, but it is also a great way to brighten up each day.

5. Make It Silly!

Turn the oral care routine into a funny-face contest or make it a Simon Says game by calling out different parts of the mouth. The whole family will complete the routine and see who can go the longest without laughing!

6. Clean to the Beat.

Brushing, flossing, and rinsing can all be rhythmic activities. Play some of your kids' favorite music so they can enjoy their oral care routines. On average, brushing should last about two minutes and rinsing 60 seconds. Together these activities may last the length of a typical song.

7. Visit the Dentist.

And remember to take your kids to visit their dentist regularly. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentists (AAPD) recommends parents schedule an appointment with a dentist as soon as the first tooth appears.

Do you have any other tips on how to make brushing fun for children? Let us know on our Facebook page, linked HERE! 

Sue Bird takes on the Olympic Games in hopes of a Gold...Again!!

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City

585 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530

516-222-5100 

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

Long Islands very own Sue Bird is once again preparing to compete in the Olympic Games! Sue Bird, originally from Syosset has had quite the career. Bird began playing AAU travel basketball in sixth grade. She then went on to attend and play ball at Syosset High School for two years and then Christ the King Regional High School in Queens.

Sue Bird went on to attend UConn and was then drafted into the WNBA.  Now a point guard for the Seattle Storm, Bird is gearing up for yet another appearance at the Olympic Games as a member of the USA women’s basketball team. Bird has won gold medals at both Beijing in 2004 and Athens in 2008!

Women's basketball is arguably the USA's most dominant Olympic team sport. The U.S. is attempting to win a fifth consecutive gold when play begins Saturday. Team USA has won 33 consecutive games at the Olympics.

Will you follow Sue Bird in the 2012 Olympic Games in London along with the rest of the USA women's basketball team? Let us know on our Facebook page, linked here!

Does your Child Have Special Dental Needs?

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City

585 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530

516-222-5100 

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

Do your children require special dental needs? Some children are very susceptible to tooth decay, gum disease and oral trauma. Some children have poor diets that are detrimental to dental health. The good news is that with the right help, dental disease is preventable!

Here is some insight from Dr.Reynolds!

How can I prevent dental problems for my special child?

A first dental visit by the first birthday will start your child on a lifetime of good dental health. The pediatric dentist will take a full medical history, gently examine your child’s teeth and gums, then plan preventive care designed for your child’s needs.

Will preventive dentistry benefit my child?

Yes! Your child will benefit from the preventive approach recommended for all children- effective brushing and flossing, moderate snacking, adequate fluoride. Home care takes just minutes a day and prevents needless dental problems. Regular professional cleanings and fluoride treatments are also very beneficial. Sealants can prevent tooth decay on the chewing surfaces of molars where four out of five cavities occur.

Are pediatric dentists prepared to care for special children?

Absolutely. Pediatric dentists have two or more years of advanced training beyond dental school. Their education as specialists focuses on care for children with special needs. In addition, pediatric dental offices are designed to be physically accessible for special patients. Pediatric dentists, because of their expertise, are often the clinicians of choice for the dental care of adults with special needs as well.

Will my child need special care during dental treatment?

Some children need more support than a gentle, caring manner to feel comfortable during dental treatment. Restraint or mild sedation may benefit your special child. If a child needs extensive treatment, the pediatric dentist may provide care at a local hospital. Your pediatric dentist has a comprehensive education in behavior management, sedation and anesthesia techniques. He or she will select a technique based on the specific health needs of your child, then discuss the benefits, limits and risks of that technique with you.

Do you have any other additional questions about Pediatric Dentistry? Let us know on our Facebook page, linked HERE! 

Check Out Elmo Singing a Song About Brushing Your Teeth (Hint: Have your kids watch it with you!)

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City

585 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530

516-222-5100 

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

Elmo is joined by families and some of his celebrity friends including Bruno Mars, David Hyde Pierce, Nicole Kidman, Amy Ryan, Wendy Williams, Jay Sean, Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber as he sings a song about the importance of brushing your teeth as part of Sesame Street’s newest oral health initiative: Healthy Teeth, Healthy Me.

 

Share this video of Elmo singing a song about brushing teeth with your kids to help encourage taking care of their teeth! If Elmo can do it, so can you!

Activity Ideas to Keep the Kids Occupied on Road Trips!

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City

585 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530

516-222-5100

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

 Are you planning any road trips this summer with your children? Some parents are apprehensive about taking long trips in the car with small children because they get bored easily!

Here are some ideas for travel games and activities for you children on the go! With a little extra planning and a little extra baggage, your kids are sure to keep busy!

Self-contained toys such as mini Etch-A-Sketch or Magna Doodles are great games for travel. Whether it’s for a car road trip, a flight or a trip to the grocery store these games are mess free and allow your kids to use their imagination!

Interactive books are another great choice! These books have flaps to lift, tabs to pull, laces to tie, wheels to turn and stickers that can be moved around! All of these options are ways to enhance your child’s motor skills. They also keep your children occupied and interested longer than a regular book.

Crayons, markers and coloring books are classics but can keep your children occupied anywhere! Always keep a backpack filled with crayons, washable markers and coloring books handy for any on the go situation or road trip!

I spy is another great game for a long car ride! Simply ask your child to find things in the car or around the car and then ask them to pick something for you to find. This game is sure to keep the kids occupied for quite some time!

If your kids like to interact in pretend play, it’s smart to always carry around lightweight toy cars and animal figures! Hot wheels cars are extremely popular amongst toddlers along with zoo animal figurines.

Do you have any other ideas for travel game activities that your kids enjoy? Let us know on our Facebook page linked HERE! 

Baby Teeth Are Just As Important to Maintain: 6 Tips for Better Baby Teeth

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City

585 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530

516-222-5100

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

Tooth decay is extremely common in kids mainly because parents think of their teeth as “just baby teeth”. However, Arthur J. Nowak, DMD, suggests that baby teeth are just as important to maintain as they prepare the mouth for permanent teeth and help with language development.

Learn how to keep your baby's teeth healthy and strong for years to come with these 6 Tips for Better Baby Teeth, courtesy of Parents.com.

Step One: Gum Care
First beginning with Gum Care at the age of 1. Use a infant toothbrush and water to gently rub the gums once or twice daily. By starting with early dental care, might help prevent brushing battles in the future. Cooling rings or washcloths while the baby is teething could help alleviate pain as well.

Step 2: The First Check Up
The first check-up is recommended within six months of the first tooth’s appearance according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Pediatric Dentists have special training and equipment specially designed for little patients, often putting the children at ease.The appointment often sets the tone for the appointments to follow such as fluoride treatment and frequency of check ups.

Step 3: Brushing
It’s important to make sure the baby brushes twice a day, just like mom and dad for about two minutes, in the morning after breakfast and before bed. As each tooth comes in brush with water or a bit of non-fluoridated tooth paste. It is important to brush the baby’s teeth at night time i because less saliva is produced, making us more prone to cavities.

To  get your child excited about the experience, take him/her shopping to choose a new toothbrush!  Be sure to toss the brush at least every three months; frayed bristles can harm gums. Look for one with a large-handled brush with a small head and soft, rounded bristles.
 
It will help encourage good hygiene if you allow your child to help with brushing their teeth, however they are not fully coordinated in doing so on their own until approximately age 7. If brushing is a battle, there are ways to get around it! Singing can ease the way, or get your child to open up by telling him to roar like a lion.  By creating a pressure-free experience, there will be less fighting the brush away.

Step 4: Plaque Prevention
The evil cause of cavities, Plaque, the bacteria in the mouth that is fed on certain carbs that produce acid that eats at teeth. Often babies receive it from Mom or Dad, as they often try a spoonful of food to try before giving it to the baby, any of this back-and-forth causes an exchange of bacteria.

In order to prevent tooth decay make sure your mouth is clean and consider chewing gum with artificial sweetener xylitol which can prevent transmission of harmful bacteria.

Step 5: Eat Right
Limit  the amount of time sugars spend on teeth, constant sweets increases harmful affects attracting plaque.  It is suggested by the AAPD that parents don't let baby fall asleep with a bottle containing anything other than water and suggests that after teeth come in parents should no longer use a nighttime bottle or breastfeed as they both contain sugar and can cause cavities if their residue sits on teeth all night.        
               
There are suggested foods babies should eat to fight plaque. For example, dairy can fight plaque and strengthen teeth, and citrus fruits stimulate saliva production, helping wash away substances on which plaque feeds.           

Step 6: Fluoride
Too much fluoride can damage tooth enamel. Most infants under 6 months don't need supplements or fluoride toothpaste until age 2.
               

• CHECK YOUR WATER. Your drinking water should be at the optimal fluoride level of 0.7 to 1.2 parts per million to reduce tooth decay. Check your local report at epa.gov/safewater.
• DON'T OVER-FLUORIDATE. For bottlefed babies under 1 year, mix powdered formula with water containing little or no fluoride.
• BRUSH. Use water or a training toothpaste, such as Baby Orajel Tooth & Gum Cleanser.

Do you have any tricks for making brushing your children’s teeth more fun? Share them with us on our Facebook Page!

Infant Oral Health!

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City

585 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530

516-222-5100

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

Here is some important information regarding your infants oral health, courtesy of Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City. 

 
Why so early? What dental problems could a baby have?

• The most important reason is to begin a thorough prevention program. Dental problems can begin early. A big concern is Early Childhood Caries (formerly known as baby bottle tooth decay or nursing caries). Once a child’s diet includes anything besides breast-milk, erupted teeth are at risk for decay. The earlier the dental visit, the better the chance of preventing dental problems. Children with healthy teeth chew food easily and smile with confidence. Start your child now on a lifetime of good dental habits.

How can I prevent tooth decay from nursing or using a bottle?

• At-will breast-feeding should be avoided after the first primary (baby) teeth begin to erupt and other sources of nutrition have been introduced. Children should not fall asleep with a bottle containing anything other than water. Drinking juice from a bottle should be avoided. Fruit juice should only be offered in a cup with meals or at snack time.

When should bottle-feeding be stopped?

• Children should be weaned from the bottle at 12-14 months of age.

Should I worry about thumb and finger sucking?

• Thumb sucking is perfectly normal for infants; many stop by age 2. Prolonged thumb sucking can create crooked teeth or bite problems. If the habit continues beyond age 3, a professional evaluation is recommended. Your pediatric dentist will be glad to suggest ways to address a prolonged thumb sucking habit.

When should I start cleaning my baby’s teeth?

• The sooner the better! Starting at birth, clean your child’s gums with a soft infant toothbrush or cloth and water. As soon as the teeth begin to appear, start brushing twice daily using fluoridated toothpaste and a soft, age-appropriate sized toothbrush. Use a “smear” of toothpaste to brush the teeth of a child less than 2 years of age. For the 2-5 year old, dispense a “pea-size” amount of toothpaste and perform or assist your child’s toothbrushing. Remember that young children do not have the ability to brush their teeth effectively.

Teething Advice

• From six months to age 3, your child may have tender gums when teeth erupt. Many children like a clean teething ring, cool spoon or cold wet washcloth. Some parents swear by a chilled ring; others simply rub the baby’s gums with a clean finger.

For additional information or any other questions you may have about Pediatric Dentistry visit our website or our Facebook page linked HERE! 

Do Childhood Pacifiers Cause Oral Health Complications For Children?

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City

585 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530

516-222-5100

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

The Wall Street Journal recently reported that NUK and Gerber Graduates, two major companies in the children’s products industry, are developing items that are meant to improve the development of children and their oral health.

One of the items they’ve released is a pacifier that is geared towards proper oral development. Many pediatric dentists believe the wrong childhood pacifier can lead to complications in the future regarding that child’s oral health. Many pediatric dentists also believe that the wrong childhood pacifier could be the reason why the child needs braces in the future!

NUK sells pacifiers that assist in strengthening jaw muscle and allows babies to move their tongues in a greater range of motion.

What kind of pacifier does your child use? Did your child develop complications from using the wrong pacifier? Let us know on our Facebook page linked HERE! 

Safety Tips For Independence Day!

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City

585 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530

516-222-5100

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

Can you believe that Independence Day is tomorrow!? Many people have  the day off and usually plan a special day out with the family! Those plans may include going to the beach, attending fireworks, relaxing with friends and family or firing up the barbecue!

No matter what your plans are for July 4^th, The American Red Cross wants everyone to have an enjoyable yet safe Fourth of July! They have issued a few simple steps that can insure you and your family stays safe this festive holiday!

Beach Safety: If you’re planning on attending the beach tomorrow, be sure to check the weather and water conditions before you leave and throughout the day. Also, only swim in designated areas and where lifeguards are present at ALL times. Also, watch the sun! You should limit the amount of time you spend in the direct sunlight between 10-4. Drink a lot of water and avoid caffeine and all alcoholic beverages while being in the sun. Make sure to wear plenty of sunscreen and sunglasses!

Other tips:

Actively supervise children at all times - even if a lifeguard is present. Stay within arm's reach of young children when they are in the water.

Have weak swimmers wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket. Don't rely on water wings or inflatable toys.

Always enter shallow water feet first. Dive only in areas marked safe for diving.

Rip Currents: Be aware of the danger of rip currents at all times!

Other tips:

If caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the shore until out of the current. Once free, turn and swim toward shore.

If someone can't swim to the shore, they should shout for help, float or tread water until free of the rip current and then head toward shore.

Stay at least 100 feet away from piers and jetties. Permanent rip currents often exist near these structures.

Fireworks Safety: With every 4^th of July celebration come fireworks! Here are some tips to follow to stay safe.

Never give fireworks to small children and always follow the instructions on the packaging.

Keep a supply of water close by as a precaution.

Make sure the person lighting fireworks always wears eye protection.

Light only one firework at a time and never attempt to relight "a dud."

Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.

Never throw or point fireworks toward people, animals,

Grilling Safety: If you’re planning on heating up the BBQ tomorrow, be sure to follow these tips!

Always watch the barbecue grill when in use.

Never grill indoors - not in a house, camper, tent or any enclosed area.

Make sure children and pets stay away from the grill.

Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, the deck, tree branches or anything that could catch fire.

Use the long-handled tools especially made for cooking on the grill to keep the chef safe.

Never add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited.

Always follow the manufacturer's instructions when using grills.

Have you ever followed any of these tips before? Do you have any additional tips on ways to stay safe this Independence Day? Let us know on our Facebook page linked HERE!