Teeth Grinding in Children

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove

Garden City:516-222-5100

Glen Cove: 516-759-7000

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

There are a number of reasons why your child might grind or clench their teeth.  This condition, known as Bruxism, generally occurs during the night or when kids are stressed.  It affects at least 20 percent of children and it is more commonly found in kids who have ADHD, behavioral problems, and cerebral palsy.

Here are a few of the problems associated with teeth grinding:

• Headaches
• Earaches
• Soreness
• Facial Pain
• Worn Down Tooth Enamel
• Chipped Teeth
• Temperature Sensitivity

We invite you to learn more about kid’s dental health here.  

If your child grinds or clenches their teeth, be sure to schedule an appointment at Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City &Glen Cove.  We can help determine the cause of the grinding and provide ways to reduce tooth pressure.  Call 516-222-5100 to contact our Garden City office or 516-759-7000 to contact our Glen Cove office.

Permanent Tooth Care Tips

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove

Garden City:516-222-5100

Glen Cove: 516-759-7000

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

Kids start to lose their baby teeth when they are around 6 or 7 years old.  During this exciting time, they need to learn how to care for their new teeth.  Here are a few things for parents to keep in mind as their kid’s permanent teeth grow in.

5 Tips to Care for Permanent Teeth:

Source: Flickr

• Use a soft toothbrush with a pea-sized dab of toothpaste.
• Place sealants on the molars to protect them from decay.
• Teach your child to spit out foam after brushing.
• Start flossing as soon as two teeth touch.
• Visit the dentist to make sure that they are getting enough fluoride.

It is recommended that parents help their children brush their teeth twice a day until they are 8 years old or until they show that they can do a good job caring for their smile on their own.  To learn more about how you can care for your child’s smile, visit Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove.   We are happy to offer tips to keep your child's new teeth healthy.  Call 516-222-5100 to contact our Garden City office or call 516-759-7000 to contact our Glen Cove office.

Common Brushing Mistakes

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove

Garden City:516-222-5100

Glen Cove: 516-759-7000

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

Source: flickr

Are you brushing your teeth the right way?  We want to help kids develop the good habits from a young age.  Brushing your teeth correctly can help prevent cavities and gum disease, keeping your child’s smile beautiful for a long time to come.  Set a good example and help your kids brush their teeth correctly.

Don’t make these common brushing mistakes:

• Choose the Right Toothbrush – Consider the size of your mouth.  If your kid is straining to brush their teeth, the brush is probably too big.  Make sure they have a comfortable handle so that they can brush properly.  Choose a brush with soft bristles that will not aggravate the gums.
• Brush Frequently – Make sure your kids are brushing twice a day for at least two minutes.  Most kids (and adults!) don’t brush as long as they should.  Try brushing to a song, fun timer, or TV show.
• Brush Correctly – Brush at a 45-degree angle in short strokes.  Aggressive brushing and aggravate the gums.  Don’t forget to brush the inside of the teeth too!
• Storage – Rinse your toothbrush after each use and allow it to dry.  This will help keep bacteria away from your brush.
• New Brush – Remember to buy a new toothbrush every three or four months, or sooner if the bristles look frayed.

Call Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove if you have any questions about how you can better care for your kid’s smile health.  Call 516-222-5100 to contact our Garden City office and 516-759-7000 to contact our Glen Cove office.

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with Green Foods for Healthy Teeth!

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove

Garden City:516-222-5100

Glen Cove: 516-759-7000

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! 

We understand that it’s not always easy to get your kids to enjoy eating nutritious foods.  However, green foods can be high in fibers and vitamins that keep teeth healthy and strong. Celebrate the healthy way with some green snacks that keep your smile healthy this Monday. 

• Green Apples – Apples are water rich.  This means that they increase salvia production and keep bacteria in check.
• Celery – High fiber foods like celery have a scrubbing effect.  They can clean the surface of your teeth as you eat!
• Kiwis – Kiwi has a high concentration of vitamin C.  This vitamin helps keep your gum tissue healthy by preventing collagen from breaking down.  Without collagen, gums can become tender and susceptible to periodontal disease.
• Spinach – Green leafy vegetables are nutrient rich and support healthy cell growth.
• Pears – The high water content of pears dilutes the effects of the sugar.
• Green Tea – Some studies have shown that people who drink green tea regularly are less likely to exhibit periodontal disease or tooth loss later in life. 

If you are feeling more adventurous, here are some healthy, green St. Patrick’s Day recipes.  Try making green macaroni and cheese with spinach puree or a Leprechaun Cake with avocado, kiwi, and lime.  There are lots of healthy, green recipes for you and your kids to try.

Visit www.pediatricdentistryofgardencity.com for more information on how you can keep your smile healthy or call 516-222-5100 to contact our Garden City office and 516-759-7000 to contact our Glen Cove office.

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Begins Tooth Decay Education Campaign

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove

Garden City:516-222-5100

Glen Cove: 516-759-7000

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

Source: AAPD

Tooth decay is a serious problem in young kids.  According to the Centers for Disease Control, it is 5 times as common as asthma and 7 times as common as hay fever.  This significant problem has led the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry to begin a new education campaign that stresses the importance of preventing tooth decay in children.  At Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City and Glen Cove, we recommend that parents help their kids start caring for their teeth at a young age too!

Here are 5 reminders to help keep your kid’s smile healthy:

• Clean a baby’s mouth and gums with a soft cloth or infant toothbrush at bath time.
• Once teeth erupt, use a child’s size toothbrush and a ‘smear’ of fluoridated toothpaste twice a day.
• Avoid giving children milk, formula, and fruit juice before they go to bed.
• Bring your child to Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City and Glen Cove by their first birthday!
• Schedule regular dental cleanings and exams every six months.

Parents can learn more about how they can better care for their child’s smile here.   They can also contact our office with any questions they might have about tiny teeth.

Limit Added Sugars and Improve Your Kid's Diet

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove

Garden City:516-222-5100

Glen Cove: 516-759-7000

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

One of the best ways to prevent tooth decay is by eating the right kinds of foods.  As part of National Nutrition Month, we are stressing the importance of a healthy diet to all of the parents and children who visit our office!  The types of foods your child eats, how often they eat them and their nutritional value all play a role in preventing tooth decay.  Unfortunately, a lot of the foods that kids love to eat are high in added sugars.  We encourage parents to read labels and teach their children how to identify foods high in added sugars to reduce the amount of sugar that kids consume.

These are a few of the top sources of added sugar:

Source: SugarStacks.com

• Soft Drinks
• Energy Drinks
• Sports Drinks
• Cake and Pie
• Fruit Drinks
• Dairy Based Desserts (Ice Cream)
• Candy
• Ready-to-Eat Cereal

As a general rule of thumb, added sugars often end in an –ose.  Keep an eye out for foods high in maltose, fructose, sucrose, and glucose.  If any of these common added sugars are listed as one of the first few ingredients, there is a good chance that the food is high in sugar.

If you aren’t sure what foods your child should be eating for their smile health, call our office.  We are happy to answer any questions you have about your child’s teeth.  Call 516-222-5100 to contact our Garden City office or call 516-759-7000 to contact our Glen Cove office.  We look forward to helping you care for your kids smile!

Healthy Smile Snacks for National Nutrition Month

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove

Garden City:516-222-5100

Glen Cove: 516-759-7000

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

Celebrate National Nutrition Month with some smart snacks for healthy teeth!  We recommend that parents keep healthy snacks around the house for kids to eat in between meals.  Eating the right foods can protect your child’s smile from tooth decay and other diseases.

These are just a few healthy snack ideas:

Photo Source: Wikipedia

• Oranges
• Melons
• Broccoli
• Celery
• Carrots
• Cucumbers
• Unsweetened fruit and vegetable juices
• Pretzels
• Low or Non-fat Yogurt
• Low or Non-fat Milk
• Sunflower seeds
• Nuts

Choose after school snacks that are low in sugar and fat.  A well-balanced diet full of fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, meat, nuts and seeds is beneficial for your child’s overall growth and development.  Be sure to read your labels!  Candy bars aren't the only foods high in sugar.  Pizza, breads and other starchy foods can break down into sugar too.  Remember to limit snacking throughout the day and remind your kids to brush their teeth with fluoride toothpaste afterwards.

Read more about how to snack healthy by clicking here.  You can also like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for more smile tips.  We are happy to answer any questions you may have about your child’s teeth.  Contact our Garden City office by calling 516-222-5100 or our Glen Cove office by calling 516-759-7000.

Fun Brushing and Flossing Tips for Kids

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove

Garden City:516-222-5100

Glen Cove: 516-759-7000

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

Good brushing and flossing habits are essential for all kids.  That’s why we think it’s so important to make caring for your teeth fun! 

Here are 6 ways to get your kids excited about their smiles:

• Fun Toothbrush – There are so many kid-friendly options available.  Let your kid pick out their favorite character or color!  Just make sure the toothbrush is ADA approved.
• Flavored Toothpaste – Mint flavors can be too strong for some kids.  Try milder toothpastes like bubblegum or berry.  Knowing they love their toothpaste flavor can make brushing more enjoyable.
• Bathroom Charts – Let your kid add a sticker after they brush.  At the end of the week, they can even get a small prize.
• Timers or Songs – Using a fun timer or playing their favorite song can make brushing for a full 2-3 minutes more exciting. 
• Practice – Brushing and flossing habits can be tough to master, even for adults!  Let them practice their skills on their favorite doll.  Lego “teeth” are also a great way to practice flossing.  Kids can floss clay from between the teeth with a piece of string.
• Reading – There are tons of great children’s books about brushing your teeth.  This is an excellent way to reinforce the message of keeping your smile healthy.

At Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove we are always looking for new ways to making caring for kids’ smiles fun!  Contact our Garden City office by calling 516-222-5100 or our Glen Cove office by calling 516-759-7000.