Frequently Asked Questions About Your Baby's Oral Health Answered!

 Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City

585 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530

516-222-5100 

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry has answered some of your most frequently asked questions about children’s oral health. Below are a few of the Q’s&A’s. To read through all the “Frequently Asked Questions,” visit AAPD.org, or click HERE.

What should I use to clean my baby’s teeth?

A toothbrush will remove plaque bacteria that can lead to decay. Any soft-bristled toothbrush with a small head, preferably one designed specifically for infants, should be used at least once a day at bedtime. 

When should I take my child to the dentist for the first check-up? 
In order to prevent dental problems, your child should see a pediatric dentist when the first tooth appears, or no later than his/her first birthday.

What is the difference between a pediatric dentist and a family dentist?

Pediatric dentists are the pediatricians of dentistry. A pediatric dentist has two to three years specialty training following dental school and limits his/her practice to treating children only. Pediatric dentists are primary and specialty oral care providers for infants and children through adolescence, including those with special health needs. 

Are baby teeth really that important to my child?

Primary, or "baby," teeth are important for many reasons. Not only do they help children speak clearly and chew naturally, they also aid in forming a path that permanent teeth can follow when they are ready to erupt.

How can I prevent decay caused by nursing?

Avoid nursing children to sleep or putting anything other than water in their bed-time bottle. Also, learn the proper way to brush and floss your child's teeth. Take your child to Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City regularly to have his/her teeth and gums checked. The first dental visit should be scheduled by your child's first birthday. 

Do you still have questions? If so, post them on Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City's Facebook wall for Dr. Reynolds to answer!

St. Patrick's Day Celebrations in Garden City!

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City

585 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530

516-222-5100 

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

You certainly do not have to be Irish or in New York City to celebrate and enjoy St. Patrick’s Day! There are many festive parties, food and various types’ of entertainment here on Long Island to enjoy this year with family and friends. 

Here are a couple of ideas and suggestions for family-friendly events here on Long Island, provided by Newsday.com, to enjoy this holiday weekend. These events include Celtic Fun in Garden City; Family Craft: Irish Soda Bread in Brentwood; Family Adventures: St. Patrick’s Day Walk in Smithtown; Irish Pirates Flag Workshop in Cold Spring Harbor; St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast and Brunch also in Garden City; and St. Patrick’s Day Party in Port Washington. 

There are two events right here in our hometown of Garden City to participate in!

Celebrate “Celtic Fun” at the Long Island Children’s Museum in Garden City, which is located off of Charles Lindbergh Boulevard. The museum will be providing Irish music by Darlene Graham and the Shades of Green Band, for ages 3 and up. Festivities will begin both Saturday and Sunday at 2 pm. Your family can enjoy this classic and festive Irish music for the small cost of $4 along with museum admission and $8 for the show only! 

Another great option for your family is breakfast or brunch at The Cupcake Corner located on New Hyde Park Road in Garden City. Breakfast and Brunch will be served on Saturday, March 17^th between 9-10am and 10:30-11:30 am. The Cupcake Corner is charging $12.95 per child under 14 and $19.95 per adult. The buffet breakfast and brunch will be serving traditional Irish and English food items and will also include crafts, music, and stories in celebration and observance of St. Patrick’s Day. 

What are your plans this St. Patrick’s Day Weekend? Let us know on the Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City Facebook Wall, linked HERE.

Sing-A-Long with Elmo While Brushing Your Teeth!

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!

FDA Says Spinbrsuh is a Choking Hazard Causing Chipped Teeth and Injury

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City

585 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530

516-222-5100 

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

The last thing you would expect to happen when handing your child their toothbrush is for parts of the device to pop off, chip teeth, fly into their eyes or get stuck in their throat. 

But, that’s exactly what has happened to some users of the battery-powered Arm & Hammer Spinbrush – or the Crest Spinbrush, as it was called before 2009.

An article published by the FDA stated, “It’s important that consumers know how to avoid the risks associated with using the Spinbrush… We’ve had reports in which parts of the toothbrush broke off during use and were released into the mouth with great speed, causing broken teeth and presenting a choking hazard,” (FDA.gov). 

The FDA regulates toothbrushes, both manual and electric, as medical devices that are intended to help prevent tooth decay. “Electric toothbrushes can be very effective in removing dental plaque, and so they can help prevent dental decay and gum disease… At the same time, it’s important to supervise children when they use these brushes, and to look out for any malfunctions of the toothbrush that might cause an injury,” said Susan Runner, D.D.S., chief of FDA’s dental devices branch (FDA.gov).

The FDA is alerting the public about the potential for injury while using the following models of Spinbrush: 

• Spinbrush ProClean 
• Spinbrush ProClean Recharge 
• Spinbrush Pro Whitening 
• Spinbrush SONIC 
• Spinbrush SONIC Recharge 
• Spinbrush Swirl 
• Spinbrush Classic Clean 
• Spinbrush For Kids 
• Spinbrush Replacement Heads

For "Advice to Parents, Caregivers and Consumers" from the FDA, CLICK HERE. 

Do you have your children use an electronic or manual toothbrush? Tell us on the Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City Facebook Wall, linked HERE.

It’s The Last Day of National Children’s Dental Health Month

 Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City

585 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530

516-222-5100 

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

It’s the last day of National Children’s Dental Health Month! 

Throughout the entire month of February, dentists throughout the States observed National Children’s Dental Health Month and have been working to educate young children in ways to keep their teeth healthy. 
 
Each February, the American Dental Association, a nationwide professional association of dentists, sponsors National Children’s Dental Health Month with the purpose of raising awareness of the importance of dental health. 

There is a common misconception that because children have baby teeth, those teeth are going to fall out anyways so caring for them is not important. Neglect of baby teeth can cause infections in the mouth that can damage the permanent teeth that come in later- so caring properly for baby teeth is vital for healthy dental health! 

Have you sat down with your children to talk about the importance of dental health yet this month? If not, try to set aside some time tonight to discuss how to take care of your teeth! Utilize the ADA Kids Tools, linked HERE, to demonstrate the proper ways to brush and floss, and what to expect on dentist visits. 

Share your stories with us on the Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City Facebook Wall, linked HERE, about your experience discussing the importance of dental health with your children!

Frequently Asked Questions about Dental Care for Your Baby Answered by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

 Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City

585 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530

516-222-5100 

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry has answered some of your most frequently asked questions about Dental Care for your baby. Below are a few of the Q’s & A’s. To read through all of the frequently asked questions, visit AAPD.org. 

Q. When should my child first see a dentist?

"First visit by first birthday" sums it up. Your child should visit a pediatric dentist when the first tooth comes in, usually between 6 and 12 months of age. This visit will establish a dental home for your child. Early examination and preventive care will protect your child’s smile now and in the future.

Q. 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.

Q. 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.

Q. When should bottle-feeding be stopped?

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

Q. 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.

Q. 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 tooth brushing. Remember that young children do not have the ability to brush their teeth effectively.

Do you still have questions? Post them to Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City’s Facebook Wall, linked HERE, to have them answered by Dr. Reynolds!

Dental Emergencies: Knowing What To Do When One Occurs...

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City

585 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530

516-222-5100 

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

 

Dental emergencies can be painful and nerve wrecking, especially for children. Knowing what to do when one occurs can mean the difference between saving and losing a tooth. 

There are a number of simple precautions provided by the ADA that you and your children can take to avoid accident and injury to your teeth. One way to reduce the chances of damage to your teeth, lips, check and tongue is to wear a mouth guard when participating in sports or recreational activities that may post a risk. Also, avoid chewing ice, popcorn kernels and hard candy – all of which can crack a tooth. Never use your teeth to cut a piece of tape, string, etc. 

Here are a few tips for handling specific dental emergencies, provided by the ADA.

Toothache: Clean the area of the affected tooth. Rinse yours or your child’s mouth out thoroughly with warm water, and gently use dental floss or an interdental cleaner to ensure there is no food or other debris caught between the teeth. Never put aspirin, heat or any other painkiller against the gums near the aching tooth because it may burn the gum tissue.  If the face is swollen, apply cold compresses and contact Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City immediately. 

Cut or Bitten Tongue, Lip or Cheek: Clean the area gently with a cloth and apply cold compresses to reduce any swelling. If the bleeding cannot be controlled by simple pressure, call Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City or visit the hospital emergency room.

Broken Tooth: Rinse your child’s mouth with warm water to clean the area. Use cold compresses on the area to keep any swelling down. Quick action can save the tooth, prevent infection and reduce the need for extensive dental treatment. Call Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City immediately. If possible, locate and save any broken tooth fragments and bring them with you to the dentist. 

Knocked Out Permanent Tooth: Hold the tooth by the crown (never by the root) and rise off the root of the tooth in water if it’s dirty. Do NOT clean the tooth with soap, scrub or handle the tooth unnecessarily.  If possible, gently insert and hold the tooth in its socket by biting on gauze. If that isn’t possible, put the tooth in a cup of milk and get to Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City as quickly as possible. Don’t forget to bring the tooth with you! Time is a critical factor in saving the tooth.

Knocked Out Baby Tooth: Contact Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City. This is not usually an emergency, and in most cases, no treatment is necessary. 

Chipped or Fractured Permanent Tooth: Contact Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City immediately. Quick action can save the tooth, prevent infection and reduce the need for extensive dental treatment. Rinse out your child’s mouth with water and apply cold compresses to reduce swelling. If possible, locate and save any broken tooth fragments and bring them with you to the dentist. 

Chipped or Fractured Baby Tooth: Contact Pediatric Dentistryof Garden City for further instructions.

Objects Caught Between Teeth: Try to gently remove the object with dental floss; avoid cutting the gums. Never use a sharp instrument to remove any object that is stuck between your teeth. If you can’t dislodge the object using dental floss, contact Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City. 

Possibly Broken or Fractured Jaw: Apply cold compresses to control swelling. Keep the jaw from moving and go to Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City or a hospital emergency department immediately.