Thursday, August 30, 2012

Tips to Help Your Children Get Their Homework Done!

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City
516-222-5100 

Another summer has come and went in what feels like a blink of an eye! With some schools back in session and others beginning soon, there is no better time for parents to start thinking about how to deal with homework issues!

Often times when your children get home from school, they rarely want to sit down and begin working on their homework immediately. Some children have an issue starting it, while others have issues finishing it.

No matter what kind of homework issues you may be having in your home, here are some tips, courtesy of newsday.com, on how to deal with homework issues that may be presented to you this school year!
  • Help your children find the right spot to do their homework. You can let them try out several spots until they find the one that works best.
  • Determine the right time for them to do their homework. Test out the time for two weeks and see how well it works out.
  • Have your children focus on only one subject at a time. Make sure all other materials and books for other subjects are away.
  • If your children ask for help or support, you should give it them. However, try not to hover. Offer encouragement when needed!
  • Do NOT do your children’s homework! And as hard as it may be, do not nag them to do it. These are two of the BIGGEST mistakes that parents make!

Do you have any other additional tips that help get your children’s homework done? Let us know on our Facebook page, linked HERE

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Renovations to be made at Roosevelt Field!

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City
516-222-5100 

If you are someone who frequents the Roosevelt Field mall, you’ve probably noticed some changes in the past year. However, the renovations are far from over!

There are new restaurants to appear such as The Capital Grille and Havana Central, renovated and redesigned spaces and a Neiman Marcus to soon be added to the already amazing Roosevelt Field. There are also plans to renovate the AMC movie theatre and upgrade it to a premium movie theater.

The food court is also going to be relocated to the Dick’s Sporting Goods area. It will go from its current 1,000 square feet to 1,200 square feet. The space where the food court is currently located will be turned into small stores.

A representative for Roosevelt Field reports their first project will be the food court and it is scheduled to begin in early 2013.

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City is located at 585 Stewart Avenue, directly behind Roosevelt Field Mall!
What do you think about these renovations? Let us know on our Facebook page, linked HERE

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Preventing Cavities in Preschoolers!


Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City
516-222-5100 


Do you want to help prevent cavities for your preschoolers? Here are some tips on the best ways to prevent tooth decay and cavities, courtesy of nickjr.com!
  • No bedtime bottles or juice drinks – Sugary juice drinks your children consume throughout the day from their sippy cups should be kept to a minimum as well as what they consume before bed. Fruit juices contain large amounts of sugar and are extremely acidic. It is a good idea to dilute your children’s juice drinks with water.
  • Limit Sweets – Your children can consume sweets, in moderation.
  • Ask about Tooth Sealants - Dentists can seal teeth of kids as young as 2 1/2, but generally this procedure is reserved for older kids because the patient needs to sit still and keep her mouth open while the sealant material sets up. Teeth with pre-existing cavities or decay should never have sealant applied to them
To read the full article, click here

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

The Reality of Retainers!

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City
516-222-5100 


Are you one of the thousands of kids out there who need to wear a retainer? You may ask your parents why you have to or what it’s used for. Follow the provided link to find out about “the reality of retainers," courtesy of kidshealth.org!

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Back to School Dental Tips!


Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City
516-222-5100 


Can you believe were approaching mid-August already!? It seems as if Memorial Day weekend was yesterday! The summer is quickly coming to an end and that can only mean one thing, back to school for the kids!
There are many routine steps that parents often take to prepare their children for heading back to school. One of those steps should be bringing the children into the dentist for a regular yearly visit.

Here are a couple back to school dental tips to help make the transition back into the school year a little bit easier! These tips are courtesy of Dr. Kent Boozer, a pediatric dentist from Texas! 

Dr. Boozer reports that a common reason children miss school is because of a sore tooth or a tooth ache. One way around this to ensure the kids aren’t missing anything important in the classroom is to schedule a checkup for the kid’s right before they go back to school. This way if there is anything that has to be taken care of, it can be done before school resumes.

Also, Dr. Boozer reports that the type of toothpaste that children use is important. He advises parents to make sure they purchase toothpaste with fluoride in it and to brush teeth for two minutes. Often times it may be difficult to get your children to brush for a whole two minutes. However, try to keep them in the bathroom and brushing for as close to two minutes as possible.

Parents should also keep a close eye on what their children are eating, says Dr. Boozer. They should especially watch out for sour or acid based candies and carbonated drinks that can strip away the enamel of your children’s teeth.

Do you think these tips will be helpful for your children? Do you have any additional tips? Let us know on our Facebook page, linked HERE

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

How to Find the Perfect Pediatric Dentist!

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City
516-222-5100 

Have you found the right pediatric dentist for your child yet? If not, it is extremely important that you do find one that is the right fit for you and your children. Your child should be visiting her/her pediatric dentist for yearly checkups just as they would at their pediatrician office.

If you’re having trouble finding the perfect pediatric dentist to fit your needs, follow these helpful steps, courtesy of nickjr.com!
Why a Pediatric Dentist?Pediatric dentists have received two to three years of specialized training following dental school, and they treat only kids. Pediatric dentists are more familiar with the dental health issues involving children, and are often trained to be skilled at treating kids with physical and emotional disabilities.

Get a ReferralThe first person to ask for a referral would be your pediatrician; she may be able to provide you with a list of names to check out. Other parents are also a good source for finding a dentist for your child. Visit the Web sites of the American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Association of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) to search for dentists near you!

Do Some Investigating Once you get referrals, make time to visit the dentists on your list. Call each office to see if the dentist will meet with you before making a formal appointment. Ask the dentist any specific questions you may have and take the time to make note of the following in the office:
  • Are there books and magazines for kids?
  • Are there toys, if so, what condition are they in?
  • Are there child-sized chairs available?
  • Are there other children in the waiting room?
  • What is the overall atmosphere like? Relaxed? Chaotic? Fun?
  • How does the staff interact with parents and children waiting in the office?


During & After the VisitSome dentists allow children to sit on a parent's lap during the initial exam. Younger children may be less likely to squirm while sitting on mom's lap. Dentist also sometimes allows parents to bring a child's favorite toothpaste to use when it's time to clean, or polish her teeth. Planning a special post-visit treat is one way to cultivate a positive attitude about going to the dentist!

Will you follow these helpful tips from nickjr.com? Do you have any other tips on how to find the right pediatric dentist? Let us know on our Facebook page, linked HERE

Thursday, August 9, 2012

How to Keep Your Child's Teeth Healthy!


Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City
516-222-5100 


As a parent you always want what’s best for your child, especially when it comes to their health needs. Keeping up with your child’s dental needs are very important. Unsure of when to start brushing, or when to bring them in for their first visit? Stop the worry! Here we will discuss how to keep your child’s teeth healthy.

When to start dental care:
Did you know that your child is born with 20 primary teeth? Most people don’t know. They don’t know that just because these 20 teeth aren’t visible doesn’t mean they are not there. Since these teeth are present at birth, you shouldn’t wait until your child’s first tooth appears to start dental care. Proper dental care for infants include, running a damp washcloth over their gums. It isn’t until a few teeth are visible that you start brushing with a child’s toothbrush.Something to be aware of in babies is bottle mouth. Bottle mouth is a condition that develops from poor feeding habits. The sugars from either milk or juice starts to eat away the enamel on the babies teeth. Signs of bottle mouth include, pocked, pitted or discolored front teeth.

Pediatric Dentists:
When deciding which dentist to take your child to, make sure you pick a dentist who is specialized in treating kids. Although pediatric dentists are trained to handle various issues for children, they have two primary goals. Prevention and Maintenance are their two main focuses. They need to prevent problems from happening and set routines for their patients to keep their gums and teeth healthy.

Preventing Cavities:
Visits to the dentist are an important part in keeping your child’s teeth healthy and preventing cavities. Before your child turns one, your child must visit the dentist. At this visit your dentist will show you how to properly brush and floss your baby’s teeth. At your next visit, your baby should have all it’s primary teeth in, your dentist will bring topical fluoride into your routine. By regularly using fluoride, you are toughening the enamel of your child’s teeth. Be careful, too much fluoride causes tooth discoloration. Around age 2-3, children can start using toothpaste (a pea-sized amount) when brushing. Brushing should happen at least 2 times a day. As your child develops permanent teeth, sealants should be applied. Your dentist will apply sealants, a protective coating, to the back teeth. It is also important to eat healthy foods and to try and say away from sweets!

Problems:
Tooth decay, gum disease, and cavities cannot be treated by simply brushing or flossing. If your child is complaining about pain from their teeth, please visit your dentist.  As your child grows older, their teeth alignment may change, as well as their bite. The sooner your bring these changes to your dentist, the more he/she can do to try and prevent your child from needing braces.  

How do you help your children keep their teeth healthy? Let us know on our Facebook page, linked HERE!

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

How Early Should Dental Prevention Begin?


Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City
516-222-5100 


Did you know that tooth decay is recognized as the most common chronic disease affecting children in the United States?  Many dentists believe that children can avoid dental issues by establishing healthy dental routines extremely early on in their childhood, with the help of their parents. 

Many dentists also believe that parents don’t get their children to their first dental visit early enough in their life. Dr. Megan Kinder believes that children should see a dentist before age 3 or within six months of their first tooth’s appearance. Many children fear the dentist; however, pediatric dentist offices are a very warm and welcoming environment for children.

Typically a child’s first dental visit will involve teeth counting. The second visit is generally a cleaning the third visit can be a cleaning, check-up or fluoride treatment if necessary.  Many dentists also believe that prevention is key in pediatric dentistry.

How old was your child on their first dental visit? Let us know about your experience on our Facebook page, linked HERE!

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Help Encourage Your Children to BRUSH!

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City
516-222-5100 

Do your children need some inspiration to get brushing!? Often times, younger children need to be encouraged to take care of those pearly whites!

If you’re looking for ways for your preschoolers to get more active in their teeth brushing, try purchasing products that are more kid friendly! Some great products available for children are items from Colgate which are Dora the Explorer based including an anticavity fluoride toothpaste and a Dora the Explorer toothbrush!

Also, be sure to follow this LINK  for some great dental related pages to print for your kids, courtesy of nickjr.com!

For more information, check out our website or Facebook page, linked HERE