Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove

Garden City:516-222-5100

Glen Cove: 516-759-7000

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

Happy Memorial Day!  

As many families head out to celebrate with outdoor BBQs, we remind you to be conscious of your sweet tooth!  While cookies, cake, candy, and chocolate are tempting, they can be damaging to your smile health.  

Here are a few tips to help satisfy your child’s sweet tooth – and maybe yours too!

Sweet Tooth Tips:

• Healthy Drinks – Offer water, low fat milk, and other nutrient-rich beverages to your kids.  Avoiding sugary drinks like soda will help them develop good habits at a young age.
• Satisfying Snacks – Stock your kitchen with healthy snacks like apples, hummus, nuts, peanut butter, and whole grain crackers.  Healthy and filling snacks can help your kids steer clear of nutrient-poor cakes and candies.
• Naturally Sweet – Add dried fruit or honey to low-sugar snacks to make them a little bit sweeter.
• Small Plates – When you do eat sweets, keep portion control in mind.  A small amount of ice cream in a large bowl can seem less satisfying than if it were in a smaller bowl.

Read this article in Parents magazine for more tips on how to manage a sweet tooth.  If you do opt to indulge in some sweets today, remember to brush after!

You can contact Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City and Glen Cove with any questions you have about your child’s oral health.  Call 516-222-5100 to contact our Garden City office and 516-759-7000 to contact our Glen Cove office.

When Is General Anesthesia Needed?

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove

Garden City:516-222-5100

Glen Cove: 516-759-7000

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

General anesthesia offers a controlled state of unconsciousness that is sometimes needed in order to safely complete a dental treatment.  While your child is in a relaxing, deep sleep, they can undergo a number of necessary dental procedures.  Our anesthesiologists provide sedation dentistry to children for a variety of reasons.

We may recommend general anesthesia if your child:

• Has severe anxiety.
• Needs to undergo extensive dental work.
• Requires a significant surgical procedure.
• Has special health care needs.
• Can’t relax or calm down enough for treatment to be performed safely.
• Has a disability that limits his or her ability to be treated safely in the office.

For more information on general anesthesia and sedation dentistry, read this article or visit our website.

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City and Glen Cove offers sedation dentistry and general anesthesia services for your child’s needs.  Our wonderful Anesthesiologists can treat very young, apprehensive, or Special Need patients.  Call 516-222-5100 to contact our Garden City office or 516-759-7000 to contact our Glen Cove office to learn more.

Teething Tips To Soothe Sore Gums

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove

Garden City:516-222-5100

Glen Cove: 516-759-7000

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

Teething can start when a child is anywhere from 3 to 12 months old.  As baby teeth emerge, your child may experience discomfort and even a slightly elevated temperature.  While this is normal, we understand that teething is a frustrating process for both parents and babies.  Here are a few tips to help get you and your baby through the teething process.

Soothing Teething Tips:

• Frozen Cloth – Take a clean cloth and soak it in water.  Fold it in third and place it in the freezer.
• Frozen Pacifier – Another great way to relieve tooth pain.
• Frozen Bagel – Cut a bagel into eighths and freeze it.  When your baby sucks and chews on the bagel, it will relieve some of the pain.  Just remember to clean the gums afterwards to keep the mouth clean and free of harmful sugars.
• Teething Rings – There are several BPA free teething rings and toys available.  Just be aware of any choking hazards.
• Celery – Cold celery is great for kids to chomp on.
• Frozen Fruit – Filling mesh feeders with frozen fruit can ease pain.  This is a good option because babies can suck on the fruit without parents worrying about them choking on the food.

Check out this article for more helpful teething tips.   You can also contact Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City and Glen Cove for tips on how to care for your child’s new teeth.  Call 516-222-5100 to contact our Garden City office or 516-759-7000 to contact our Glen Cove office.

Autism and Your Child’s Oral Health

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove

Garden City:516-222-5100

Glen Cove: 516-759-7000

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

For children with autism, brushing teeth can be difficult.  Kids sometimes find the routine to be uncomfortable at first.  Here are a few steps to help your kids get started on their oral health care at home and eventually learn to brush their teeth independently!

Brushing Tips for Children with Autism:

• Comfort – Let your child get used to the idea of brushing their teeth by using the toothbrush to touch the lips or just inside the mouth.  You can also show them how to “open wide.”
• Check Lists –Many children with autism benefit from visual support.  Parents can print pictures and check off activities as they are completed. 
• Photographs - Parents can also print photos of the steps involved in brushing teeth.  Loading these pictures into a digital picture frame and displaying the photos at 10 second intervals can be a great visual prompt!
• Verbal Praise – Reward your child after they have completed many or all of the steps involved in their oral health care routine!  Remember, each child needs to work at their own pace.

For more tips on how to care for your child’s teeth, visit autismspeaks.org.  This website offers a helpful dental guide that is great for parents!  You can also contact Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove with any questions you have regarding your child’s oral health.  Call 516-222-5100 to contact our Garden City office or 516-759-7000 to contact our Glen Cove office.

Should Your Kids Use Fluoride Toothpaste?

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove

Garden City:516-222-5100

Glen Cove: 516-759-7000

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

Photo Source: Wikipedia

Fluoride is a great way to help your kids prevent cavities naturally.  Especially when they are learning how to properly brush their teeth!  This simple guide can help parents determine if their kids are getting enough fluoride for their age group.

Under 2 Years Old – Children under 2 shouldn’t use fluoride toothpaste unless specified by a dentist.  Once the first tooth appears, you can help them brush their teeth with a  soft, child-sized toothbrush and a little bit of water.

2-6 Years Old – Kids in this age group should start to brush their teeth with a small amount of fluoride toothpaste (about the size of a pea).  Make sure your kids spit out their toothpaste and don’t swallow it!

6 Years Old and Up – Once your kids are old enough to brush on their own, they can continue to use fluoride toothpaste when they brush twice a day.

To learn more about fluoride and how you can care for your child’s teeth, visit the 2x2 website.  They offer great tips to help prevent cavities and strengthen tooth enamel!

Fluoride can help make your kids smile grow stronger, while also preventing early stage of tooth decay.  If you’re not sure if your child is getting enough fluoride in their water, diet or toothpaste, contact our office!  We may even recommend a fluoride treatment during your child’s bi-annual exam and cleaning.  Call 516-222-5100 to contact our Garden City office and 516-759-7000 to contact our Glen Cove office with any questions you have about your child’s smile or to schedule an appointment. 

Fuss-Free Brushing Tips

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove

Garden City:516-222-5100

Glen Cove: 516-759-7000

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

It’s not always easy to get your kids to brush their teeth.  Some kids even put up a fight!  Here are a few tips and tricks that will help get your kids to enjoy brushing their teeth.

Tips and Tricks:

• Flavored Toothpaste – Pick a flavor that your kids will love!  If mint is too strong, try a fruity flavor.
• Perfect Toothbrush – There are so many different styles, colors, and character themed toothbrushes.  Electric toothbrushes are also a great option. Let your kids pick out their favorite one!
• Brush Together – Little kids like to be just like their parents.  Brushing with mom or dad can make the process more enjoyable.
• Music – Play a song while your kids brush their teeth.  It can even be a game to brush for the full length of the song.  If you are musically inclined, you can sing the song yourself!
• Multitask – Sometimes children need to be distracted in order to sneak in brushing time.  Brushing while they are in the bathtub can help while they are distracted with playing and splashing around.

For more brushing tips, visit this website.  You can also contact our office, Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove, for more information on how to better care for your child’s oral health.  Call 516-222-5100 to contact our Garden City office or 516-759-7000 to contact our Glen Cove office.

How to Handle a Tooth Injury

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove

Garden City:516-222-5100

Glen Cove: 516-759-7000

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

Prevention is always the best way to keep teeth healthy.  However, we understand that accidents happen.  The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry offers a few simple tips to help parents and caretakers prepare for common childhood tooth injuries.

Common Tooth Injuries:

·        Baby Tooth is Knocked Out – Quick action can reduce pain and prevent infection.  Rinse your child’s mouth with water, apply a cold compress to reduce swelling, and call your pediatric dentist.  Don’t waste time looking for the tooth, instead just comfort your child. Baby teeth will not be replanted. 

·        Permanent Tooth is Knocked Out – Find the tooth and rinse it gently in cool water.  Place it back in the socket and hold it there with a piece of clean gauze or a wash cloth until you can get to the dentist.  If you can’t put the tooth back in, place it in a clean container with cold milk.  Don’t put the tooth in water!

·        Chipped Tooth – Have your child rinse their mouth with cold water and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling.  If you can find the broken tooth fragment, bring it to the dentist with you.

We remind parents to always take steps to prevent childhood tooth injury.  If your child participates in an activity or sport that puts their smile at risk, make sure that they are wearing a mouth guard.  Contact Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove for more tips on how to prevent dental emergencies, as well as care for teeth when they need it most.  Call 516-222-5100 to contact our Garden City office or 516-759-7000 to contact our Glen Cove office.

Beware of These "Healthy" Snacks That Are Bad for Teeth

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove

Garden City:516-222-5100

Glen Cove: 516-759-7000

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

When you reach for a healthy snack, you probably think about the fat content, calories, and nutritional value.  However, many of the snacks that we consider healthy are actually bad for your teeth.  Here are a few “healthy” snacks that can be bad for your smile.

Beware of these “healthy” snacks:

• Smoothies and Fruit Juices – While they contain a lot of vitamins, these drinks can also be very high in sugar and acid.  Some contain more sugar than soda!  If you give fruit juice to your kids, dilute the juice and only offer it during meals. 
• Dried Fruit – Although natural sugars are better for you than refined sugar, they can still cause tooth decay if snacked on frequently.  Whether you are snacking on raisins or caramels, these sugary and sticky snacks can cling to your teeth for a long time.  Try fresh fruit or vegetable sticks instead!
• Cereal Bars – Many cereals contain a lot of sugar to boost the flavor.  Remember to read your labels!
• Yogurt – Many flavored yogurts are low in fat, but contain a lot of sugar.  Add fresh fruit to low fat natural or Greek yogurt to add flavor instead.

Read more about bad snacking habits on MSN. 

Contact Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove for more healthy smile tips or to schedule your child’s bi-annual cleaning and exam.  Call 516-222-5100 to contact our Garden City office or 516-759-7000 to contact our Glen Cove office.