Space Maintainers

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove

Garden City:516-222-5100

Glen Cove: 516-759-7000

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

If you’re a parent with young children, we’re sure you've come up with several questions regarding their oral health.

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City and Glen Cove is here to answer as many frequently asked questions as possible! Today we’re covering FAQ’s about space maintenance.

If you have any additional questions, please feel free to call either one of our offices or send us a Facebook message.

Why do children lose their baby teeth?

A baby tooth usually stays in until a permanent tooth underneath pushes it out and takes its place. Unfortunately, some children lose a baby tooth too soon. A tooth might be knocked out accidentally or removed because of dental disease. When a tooth is lost too early, your pediatric dentist may recommend a space maintainer to prevent future space loss and dental problems.

Why all the fuss? Baby teeth fall out eventually on their own.

Baby teeth are important to your child’s present and future dental health. They encourage normal development of the jaw bones and muscles. They save space for the permanent teeth and guide them into position. Remember: some baby teeth are not replaced until a child is 12 or 14 years old.

How does a lost baby tooth cause problems for permanent teeth?

If a baby tooth is lost too soon, the teeth beside it may tilt or drift into the empty space. Teeth in the other jaw may move up or down to fill the gap. When adjacent teeth shift into the empty space, they create a lack of space in the jaw for the permanent teeth. So, permanent teeth are crowded and come in crooked. If left untreated, the condition may require extensive orthodontic treatment.

What are space maintainers?

Space maintainers are appliances made of metal or plastic that are custom fit to your child’s mouth. They are small and unobtrusive in appearance. Most children easily adjust to them after the first few days.

How does a space maintainer help?

Space maintainers hold open the empty space left by a lost tooth. They steady the remaining teeth, preventing movement until the permanent tooth takes its natural position in the jaw. It’s more affordable – and easier on your child – to keep the teeth in normal positions with a space maintainer than to move them back in place with orthodontic treatment.

What special care do space maintainers need?

Pediatric Dentists have four rules for space maintainer care. First, avoid sticky sweets or chewing gum. Second, don’t tug or push on the space maintainer with your tongue or fingers. Third, keep it clean with the conscientious brushing and flossing. Fourth, continue regular dental visits. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

Take Advantage of All LI Has to Offer!

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City

585 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530

516-222-5100

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

School will be back in session before you know it. However, there is still a little time left to enjoy summer!

Have you taken advantage of all the places you can celebrate the summer sun on Long Island? Here is a list of some of the top places to bring your children in the last few weeks of summer. Let us know which Long Island Hot Spot is your children’s favorite on our Facebook page.

• Splish Splash
• Long Island Game Farm
• Captree State Park
• Bethpage Ballpark
• Old Westbury Gardens
• Adventureland
• Wood Kingdom
• White Post Farms
• Long Island Aquarium
• Bayville Adventure Park
• Long Island Children’s Museum
• Cradle of Aviation Museum
• Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery and Aquarium
• Vanderbilt Museum

What’s So Special About Pediatric Dentists, Anyway?

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City

585 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530

516-222-5100

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

According to an article in the Tri-Town News, “pediatric dentists are the pediatricians of dentistry.” Many parents confuse family dentists with pediatric dentists, but in fact, there’s an easy way to spot the difference. Pediatric dentists focus specifically on dental care for children of all ages, from infants to adolescents. They are required to undergo at least two years of rigorous training after four years of dental school, providing them with thorough hands on training and ­­in-depth methods on how to correctly care for the unique mouth of a child. These advanced study programs give pediatric dentists the experience in addressing problems specific to the development of children’s teeth, making them qualified to give your child the best oral care available. 

           

At Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City, we know that it is imperative that your child has positive early dental experiences. That’s why we have been taught relevant management techniques that will ensure your child a smooth transition into the world of pediatric dentistry. We have been trained to spot and correct children’s oral problems early on, as well as have been taught effective techniques to manage dental fear in children.

Never belittle the importance of good oral health! Visit us at our website, www.pediatricdentistryofgardencity.com and call 516-222-5100 to set up an appointment.