National Dental Hygiene Month!

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove

Garden City:516-222-5100

Glen Cove: 516-759-7000

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

October is National Dental Hygiene Month! This year, the American Dental Hygienist Association is partnering with the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company with the theme of "Brush. Floss. Rinse. Chew."

Brush - 2 minutes, 2 times a day
Brushing 2 minutes is one of the single most important methods for reducing plaque(or plaque related diseases) and preventing cavities. So keep your smile healthy! Click here for proper brushing tips and techniques.

Floss - every day
If you don't floss every day try to work on adding this into your routine. Daily flossing removes plaque and food particles that get in those pesky places you can't reach with a toothbrush. Read more about the proper flossing technique here.

Rinse - with mouthwash
Brushing and flossing cannot get ALL plaque and germs. Another step in preventing gum disease is rinsing your mouth each day with an anti-microbial mouth rinse.

Chew - sugar-free gum after eating
Chewing sugar-free gum after eating is clinically proven to be an important part of good oral health. It stimulates saliva which helps fight cavities and washes away food particles.

Be sure to work on your oral health routine this month, on your own, and with your children! Getting kids into the habit early on will benefit them in the long run.

Image Source: ADHA.org

Urgent Dental Care FAQ Answered

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove

Garden City:516-222-5100

Glen Cove: 516-759-7000

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

Is your child in need of urgent dental care? This is where your pediatric dentist comes in! Please keep our emergency number convenient and available at all times just in case emergency arises.

Here are a few FAQ’s answered about emergency dental situations. If you have any additional questions you need answered, please contact us at any time.

What should I do if my child’s baby tooth is knocked out?

Contact your dentist office as soon as possible.

What should I do if my child’s permanent tooth is knocked out?

Find the tooth and rinse it gently in cool water. (Do not scrub it or clean it with soap – use just water!) If possible, replace the tooth in the socket and hold it there with clean gauze or wash cloth. If you can’t put the tooth back in the socket, place the tooth in a clean container with milk, saliva, or water. Get to the pediatric dental office immediately. (Call the emergency number if it’s after hours.) The faster you act the better chance you have of saving the tooth.

What if a tooth is chipped or fractured?

Contact your pediatric dentist immediately. Quick action can save the tooth, prevent infection and reduce the need for extensive dental treatment. Rinse the mouth with water and apply cold compresses to reduce swelling. If you can find the broken tooth fragment, bring it with you to the dentist.

What about a severe blow to the head or jaw fracture?

Go immediately to the emergency room of your local hospital. A blow to the head can be life threatening.

What if my child has a toothache?

Call your pediatric dentist and visit the office promptly. To comfort your child, rinse the mouth with water. Apply a cold compress or ice wrapped in a cloth. Do not put heat or aspirin on the sore area.

Can dental injuries be prevented?

Absolutely! First, reduce oral injury in sports by wearing mouth guards. Second, always use a car seat for young children. Require seat belts for everyone else in the car. Third, child-proof your home to prevent falls, electrical injuries, and choking on small objects. Fourth, protect your child from unnecessary toothaches with regular dental visits and preventative care. 

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.