Thumb, Finger and Pacifier Habits

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove

Garden City:516-222-5100

Glen Cove: 516-759-7000

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

Image Source: Pixabay

Thumb, finger and pacifier habits are all common for babies and young children. However, these habits can harm your children’s teeth at a young age.

We've answered a few of the most FAQ about thumb, finger and pacifier habits. If you have any other questions, please feel free to call our Garden City or Glen Cove locations at any time. We’d be more than happy to answer any questions.

Why do children suck on fingers, pacifiers or other objects?

This type of sucking is completely normal for babies and young children. It provides security. For young babies, it’s a way to make contact with and learn about the world. In fact, babies begin to such on their fingers and thumbs even before they are born.

Are these habits bad for the teeth and jaw?

Most children stop sucking thumbs, pacifiers or other objects on their own between two and four years of age. No harm is done to their teeth or jaws. However, some children repeatedly suck on a finger, pacifier or other object over long periods of time. In these children, the upper front teeth may tip toward the lip or not come in properly.

When should I worry about a sucking habit?

Your pediatric dentist will carefully watch the way your child’s teeth come in and jaws develop, keeping the sucking habit in mind at all times. For most children, the AAPD recommends encouraging these habits cease by age three.

What can I do to stop my child’s habit?

Most children stop sucking habits on their own, but some children need the help of their parents and their pediatric dentist. When your child is old enough to understand the possible results of a sucking habit, your pediatric dentist can encourage your child to stop, as well as talk about what happens to the teeth if your child doesn't stop. This advice, coupled with support from parents, helps most children quit. If this approach doesn't work, your pediatric dentist may recommend a mouth appliance that blocks sucking habits.

Are pacifiers a safer habit for the teeth than thumbs or fingers?

Thumb, finger and pacifier sucking all affect the teeth essentially the same way. However, a pacifier habit is often easier to break. 

Fall Festivals on Long Island

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove

Garden City:516-222-5100

Glen Cove: 516-759-7000

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

Fall is finally here! There are plenty of ways to celebrate the crisp air and color changing leaves around the island.

Whether your family enjoys pumpkin picking, hayrides or petting zoos, we’ll let you know where there are fall events happening this weekend!

Let us know what events you plan on attending on our Facebook page!

Fall Festival

Location: Hicks Nursery

When: Daily, 9-4 through 10/27

Harvest Festival

Location: Mastic Beach

When: 9/28 10-4

Fish Hatchery Fall Fair

Location: Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery and Aquarium

When: 9/28 10-4

Long Island Fair

Location: Old Bethpage Village Restoration

When: 9/27, 9/28 and 9/29 10-5

Brushy Brush Video

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove

Garden City:516-222-5100

Glen Cove: 516-759-7000

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

Hey, parents. Are you having trouble getting your little ones to brush? Elmo can help!

Share Elmo's Brushy Brush video with them and we're sure they'll be rushing to brush in no time! Let us know what teeth brushing videos your children enjoy on our Facebook page!

 

Apple Picking on Long Island!

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove

Garden City:516-222-5100

Glen Cove: 516-759-7000

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

Image Source: Pixabay

Do you have plans for this weekend? Why not get into the spirit of fall and take your children apple picking? Apple picking is a great activity for children and adults of all ages. Although many people tend to head upstate New York to apple pick, there is no need!

Long Island has numerous apple orchards spread across that have a variety of delicious apples you can choose from. Once you return home, the possibilities are endless with what you can turn your bag of freshly picked apples into. Apple pie, apple sauce, apple cider or any other apple recipe or just a few of the items you can whip up in the kitchen when you return home with the kids.

Below are a few locations on Long Island that offer apple picking! Let us know which location is your favorite on our Facebook page.

Lewin Farms

Wading River

Harbe’s Farm and Orchard

Riverhead

Fort Salonga Farm

Northport

The Milk Pail Farm Stand

Water Mill

Woodside Orchards

Aquebogue

Davis Peach Farm

Wading River

Hank’s Pumpkintown

Water Mill

Richters Orchard

Northport 

Snacks to Avoid in Lunch Box Packing!

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove

Garden City:516-222-5100

Glen Cove: 516-759-7000

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

Photo Source: Bag Organizer Images

Hey, parents. Now that school is fully in swing, are you running out of ideas for your child’s lunchbox? Or maybe you’re running low on healthy snacks?

We know sometimes prepackaged items or ready made snacks are quick for the hectic morning, however, most of these foods aren't good for your child’s overall health!

Here are a few foods you should avoid packing in your child’s lunchbox this school year. Let us know what kind of snacks you pack for your children on our Facebook page!

Packaged Juice or Sports Drinks: Sweetened juice boxes and sports drinks contain tons of sugar and calories. Try packing your children with a water bottle of green tea.

Chips: All types of chips, including corn chips, potato chips, and cheese doodles are high in fat, salt and calories. If your child craves chips, try making your own kale chips or sweet potato chips to curve the salty cravings.

Cookies, Cakes and Muffins: Prepackaged cookies and cakes are rich in high-fructose corn syrup and trans fats. Try to avoid these and lunchboxes all together. If your child craves sweets, pack them dried fruits or organic cookies.

Fruit Snacks: Fruit snacks are filled with high fructose corn syrup and artificial colors and flavors. Pack whole fresh fruit instead or homemade fruit leather.

Crackers: Most crackers are made with refined flour and a lot of sugar. Select crackers that are made with whole grain. 

Williston Day Street Fair This Sunday - Great Day for the Entire Family!

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove

Garden City:516-222-5100

Glen Cove: 516-759-7000

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

Looking to enjoy this weekend’s beautiful weather? On Sunday, September 15^th, the Williston Day Street Fair is just the place to do it!

The Williston Day Street Fair is great place to spend the whole day with your family. Kids and adults of all ages can enjoy everything the street fair has to offer. Including: rock & roll bands, local dancers, D.J., rides, hula hoop contests, vendors, food and much much more!

There is also free face painting for children and raffle giveaways! The Williston Day Street Fair is located in 

Williston Park on Hillside Avenue between Willis Avenue and the Long Island Rail Road Station.

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City and Glen Cove hopes no matter what you do this weekend, you enjoy it! 

Healthy Lunch Box Editions

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove

Garden City:516-222-5100

Glen Cove: 516-759-7000

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

Photo Source: Lunch Box Poems

School is back in session! A new school year brings along a lot of new responsibilities for both parents and children. Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove wants to encourage all students to pack healthy lunches and snacks this school year!

Here a few healthy snack ideas, courtesy of one green planet. Let us know what kind of snacks you’re packing for your children this school year on our Facebook wall.

Hummus & Crackers: This is a great snack to pack in a lunchbox or to feed your children when they arrive home. Pair your child’s favorite type of hummus with multigrain crackers or the veggie of their choice.

Nut butter with apples or celery: Apples or celery paired with almond butter or peanut butter is a nutritious, protein packed snack. And what child doesn't love good old peanut butter?!

Trail Mix: Mix up a combination of your child’s favorite trail mix ingredients and add it to every lunchbox you fill. Try pairing almonds, cashews, sunflower seeds and dried fruits in a small snack bag. Trail mix is protein packed and fiber rich and is sure to give your children the energy they need to get through the school day.

Popcorn: If your child has a nut allergy or nuts aren't permitted in the cafeteria of their school, organic popcorn is a great, low calorie alternative. Air popping is much healthier than microwaving it. Air pop a batch of popcorn in the morning or the night before and pack it up in your child lunchbox. You can always add a touch of your own spice or herb to flavor it.

Fruit: Having fresh fruit in the house for snack time or a packed lunch is always a great alternative. Pack your child a fresh fruit salad or a yogurt and some fresh fruit to add in. Squirting lemon juice on fruit salad made the night before will preserve its freshness. Adding an apple, orange or bag of grapes to your child’s lunchbox is also a quick and easy option.

Weekend Fun on Long Island

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove

Garden City:516-222-5100

Glen Cove: 516-759-7000

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

The weekend is here!  Although summer is over, there is still plenty of time to have fun.

Celebrate with your family this weekend with some family fun events happening on Long Island. Events courtesy of www.Newsday.com.

Let us know what your weekend plans ore on our Facebook page!

Storybook Stroll – Make Way for Ducklings

Location: Old Westbury Gardens

Date: 9/7

The Ghost of Sleepy Hollow

Location: Carriage House Theater, Vanderbilt Museum

Date: 9/8

Family Fun Day

Location: West Hills Day Camp

Date: 9/8

Nesconset Day Crafts and Street Fair

Location: Nesconset Plaza (Smithtown Blvd.)

Date: 9 /8

Frequently Asked Questions Answered About Mouth Guards

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City

585 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530

516-222-5100

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

Your children will be heading back to school within the next week or so. The beginning of a new school year brings along parent teacher conferences, play dates, class trips and fall sports.

If your child is signed up for a fall sport such as soccer or football, you should consider purchasing them a mouth protector or mouth guard to protect their precious teeth!

Here are a few of your frequently asked questions about mouth guards, answered. Let us know if you have any additional questions on our Facebook page.

What are athletic mouth protectors?

Athletic mouth protectors, or mouth guards, are made of soft plastic. They are adapted to fit comfortably to the shape of the upper teeth.

Why are mouth guards important?

Mouth guards hold top priority as sports equipment. They protect not just the teeth, but the lips, cheeks, and tongue. They help protect children from such head and neck injuries as concussions and jaw fractures. Increasingly, organized sports are requiring mouth guards to prevent injury to their athletes. Research shows that more oral injuries occur when athletes are not wearing mouth protection.

When should my child wear a mouth guard?

Whenever he or she is in an activity with a risk of falls or of head contact with other players or equipment. This includes football, baseball, basketball, soccer, hockey, skateboarding, even gymnastics.

How do I choose a mouth guard for my child?

Any mouth guard works better than no mouth guard. So, choose a mouth guard that your child can wear comfortably. If a mouth guard feels bulky or interferes with speech, it will be left in the locker room.

You can select from several options in mouth guards. First, preformed “boil to fit” mouth guards are found in sports stores. Different types and brands vary in terms of comfort, protection, and cost. Second, customized mouth guards are provided through your pediatric dentist. They cost a bit more, but are more comfortable and more effective in preventing injuries. Your pediatric dentist can advise you on what type of mouth guard would work best for your child.