Spring Clean Your Teeth!

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove

Garden City:516-222-5100

Glen Cove: 516-759-7000

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

Are you excited for the warmer weather?  Although it doesn't feel like it lately, warm spring weather is just around the corner.  As you go about your spring cleaning - don't forget about your teeth!

Here are a few tips to help you spring clean your teeth.

• Schedule a Visit - Your kids should visit our office for bi-annual cleanings and exams.  During these visits we can help make sure that their teeth are growing properly, remove plaque, help prevent cavities, and instill good oral health care habits that they can carry with them for the rest of their lives.
• Remember to Brush - Remind your kids to keep up with their brushing habits!  You should always brush twice a day.  Brush once in the morning and again at night.
• Flossing is Important - Most plaque builds in hard-to-reach places - like between the teeth!  This is why flossing is so important.  Don't forget to floss to keep tiny teeth healthy.

If you want to schedule a spring cleaning and exam for your kids, contact our office.  Call 516-222-5100 to contact our Garden City office or 516-759-7000 to contact our Glen Cove office.  Don’t forget to like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and check out our YouTube channel!

Tooth Care Tips for the Holiday Season

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove

Garden City:516-222-5100

Glen Cove: 516-759-7000

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

Don't let holiday snacking hurt your smile!  With all of the sweets and sugary foods, it can be hard to stay healthy during the holidays.  Here are a few tips to keep your teeth beautiful through the new year.

Holiday Tooth Tips:

• Brush After Meals - It's always important to remember to brush your teeth, but with all of the sugary snacks that kids eat during the holidays, you want to make sure you're getting all of the bacteria off of your teeth!
• Use a New Toothbrush - You should replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months.  The holidays are the perfect time to replace your kid's toothbrush with their favorite character or with a festive themed brush!
• Avoid Snacking - Snacking in between meals can be tempting with candy canes and holiday cookies, but snacking is also bad for your teeth.  If you can, limit sweets to meal time.

Remember to contact our office with any questions you have about your child's oral health during the holidays. Call 516-222-5100 to contact our Garden City office or 516-759-7000 to contact our Glen Cove office. Don’t forget to like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and check out our YouTube channel!

Why is Thumbsucking Bad for Kids?

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove

Garden City:516-222-5100

Glen Cove: 516-759-7000

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

Thumbsucking is a natural habit for children.  At a young age, it can help them relax and fall asleep.  
However, it's important that kids break the thumbsucking habit when their permanent teeth begin to emerge between the ages of two and four years old.  Thumbsucking can alter tooth alignment and cause changes to the roof of the mouth.  Here are a few tips to help your child break the habit.

Thumbsucking Tips:

• Support Them - Let your child know you are happy when they aren't sucking their thumb.  Supporting them will help them break the habit.
• Find the Cause - Many children suck their thumbs when they feel insecure or in need of comfort.  Focusing on correcting the anxiety can help them.
• Practice Self-Awareness - Sometimes, kids don't realize when they are sucking their thumbs.  Ask them if they know why they're sucking their thumb.  If they say no, find another way to soothe them.
• Limit Thumbsucking - Try to ween them off thumbsucking by limiting the time that they suck their thumb tot he bedroom or house.  Avoid thumbsucking in public to get them used to the idea of breaking the habit.

Read this article from webmd or this article from the American Dental Association (ADA) for more information on thumbsucking and tips on how to help your child break the habit.

Remember to contact our office with any questions you have about 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. Don’t forget to like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and check out our YouTube channel!

Protecting Teeth With Dental Sealants

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove

Garden City:516-222-5100

Glen Cove: 516-759-7000

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

When kids are first learning to brush, it isn't always easy for them to reach their back molars.  Dental sealants are a great way to help protect these hard-to-reach tooth surfaces!

Dental sealants are bonded directly to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. They cover up any grooves and depressions that are hard for toothbrushes to reach. Sealants protect tooth enamel from plaque and acids that would otherwise damage teeth. Dental sealants can last for several years before they need to be reapplied.

While we always recommend that parents supervise children until they are old enough to brush thoroughly, sealants can help protect vulnerable areas by sealing out plaque and food!

Remember to contact our office with any questions you have about 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. Don’t forget to like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and check out our YouTube channel!