Colgate Bright Smile Video! A Must See for All!

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City

585 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530

516-222-5100

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

Parents, this is a great video to show to your children about brushing and the importance of dental health! Colgate hit a home run with this video! 

Let us know what you think on our Facebook page! If your child has a favorite brushing video, please be sure to share it with us on our Facebook wall!

Check Out Elmo Singing a Song About Brushing Your Teeth (Hint: Have your kids watch it with you!)

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!

Baby Teeth Are Just As Important to Maintain: 6 Tips for Better Baby Teeth

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City

585 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530

516-222-5100

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

Tooth decay is extremely common in kids mainly because parents think of their teeth as “just baby teeth”. However, Arthur J. Nowak, DMD, suggests that baby teeth are just as important to maintain as they prepare the mouth for permanent teeth and help with language development.

Learn how to keep your baby's teeth healthy and strong for years to come with these 6 Tips for Better Baby Teeth, courtesy of Parents.com.

Step One: Gum Care
First beginning with Gum Care at the age of 1. Use a infant toothbrush and water to gently rub the gums once or twice daily. By starting with early dental care, might help prevent brushing battles in the future. Cooling rings or washcloths while the baby is teething could help alleviate pain as well.

Step 2: The First Check Up
The first check-up is recommended within six months of the first tooth’s appearance according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Pediatric Dentists have special training and equipment specially designed for little patients, often putting the children at ease.The appointment often sets the tone for the appointments to follow such as fluoride treatment and frequency of check ups.

Step 3: Brushing
It’s important to make sure the baby brushes twice a day, just like mom and dad for about two minutes, in the morning after breakfast and before bed. As each tooth comes in brush with water or a bit of non-fluoridated tooth paste. It is important to brush the baby’s teeth at night time i because less saliva is produced, making us more prone to cavities.

To  get your child excited about the experience, take him/her shopping to choose a new toothbrush!  Be sure to toss the brush at least every three months; frayed bristles can harm gums. Look for one with a large-handled brush with a small head and soft, rounded bristles.
 
It will help encourage good hygiene if you allow your child to help with brushing their teeth, however they are not fully coordinated in doing so on their own until approximately age 7. If brushing is a battle, there are ways to get around it! Singing can ease the way, or get your child to open up by telling him to roar like a lion.  By creating a pressure-free experience, there will be less fighting the brush away.

Step 4: Plaque Prevention
The evil cause of cavities, Plaque, the bacteria in the mouth that is fed on certain carbs that produce acid that eats at teeth. Often babies receive it from Mom or Dad, as they often try a spoonful of food to try before giving it to the baby, any of this back-and-forth causes an exchange of bacteria.

In order to prevent tooth decay make sure your mouth is clean and consider chewing gum with artificial sweetener xylitol which can prevent transmission of harmful bacteria.

Step 5: Eat Right
Limit  the amount of time sugars spend on teeth, constant sweets increases harmful affects attracting plaque.  It is suggested by the AAPD that parents don't let baby fall asleep with a bottle containing anything other than water and suggests that after teeth come in parents should no longer use a nighttime bottle or breastfeed as they both contain sugar and can cause cavities if their residue sits on teeth all night.        
               
There are suggested foods babies should eat to fight plaque. For example, dairy can fight plaque and strengthen teeth, and citrus fruits stimulate saliva production, helping wash away substances on which plaque feeds.           

Step 6: Fluoride
Too much fluoride can damage tooth enamel. Most infants under 6 months don't need supplements or fluoride toothpaste until age 2.
               

• CHECK YOUR WATER. Your drinking water should be at the optimal fluoride level of 0.7 to 1.2 parts per million to reduce tooth decay. Check your local report at epa.gov/safewater.
• DON'T OVER-FLUORIDATE. For bottlefed babies under 1 year, mix powdered formula with water containing little or no fluoride.
• BRUSH. Use water or a training toothpaste, such as Baby Orajel Tooth & Gum Cleanser.

Do you have any tricks for making brushing your children’s teeth more fun? Share them with us on our Facebook Page!

Products Containing Benzocaine Can Be Hazardous To Children!

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City

585 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530

516-222-5100

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

When your child was younger and teething, you probably at some point or another reached for a pain remedy to help soothe your child’s sore gums. One of the pain remedies you probably gave your child was Anbesol, Hurricane, Orajel, Baby Orajel or Orabase. All of these products contain benzocaine, which can lead to a rare but serious condition called methemoglobinemia.

This is a disorder where the amount of oxygen carried through the bloodstream is reduced. In some of the most severe cases, methemoglobinemia can lead to death. The FDA has received 29 reports in regard to methemoglobinema. Out of the 29 reported cases, 19 of them occurred in children and 15 of the 19 occurred in children under the age of 2!

The FDA recommends that parents do not give children under the age of 2 any products that contain benzocaine except if told to do so by a health care professional.

If you suspect your child may have developed methemoglobinemia, some of the symptoms are:

Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips or nail beds

Shortness of breath

-Fatigue

-Confusion

-Headache

-Light-headedness

-Rapid heart rate

Have you ever used any of these products on your children? Let us know on our Facebook page linked HERE! 

Have You Found The Perfect Father's Day Gift? If Not, Here Are Some Great Ideas!

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City

585 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530

516-222-5100

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

Have you found the perfect father’s day gift for dad yet? If not, here are some great clever gift ideas to surprise dad with this father's day!

Was your dad into rubiks cubes back in the day? If so, thinkabout getting Dad this cool rubiks cube pencil holder for his office! Thecolorful childhood toy cube is great holder for pens, pencils, and other officesupplies! To buy, visit www.perpetualkid.com

Does your Dad like to play golf? If so, consider purchasing him the Approach S1 North America! This gadget wakes him up, tracks how far hewalks, and measures shots on 18,000 U.S. and Canadian courses. To buy, checkout www.garmin.com !

Do you often find your Dad in the kitchen? If he’s a topchef wannabe, purchase dad this pair of heat resistant cooking gloves this father’s day! To buy, visit www.paper-source.com !

Do you have any other father’s day gift ideas? What are yourtraditions? Let us know on our Facebook page linked HERE!

Swatting Those Bugs Away Already? Here's the Safest Bug Sprays for Your Kids...

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City

585 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530

516-222-5100

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

With summertime in full swing, many of us are spending much more time enjoying the warmer weather outdoors. One thing many of us find ourselves doing while outside in the warm weather is swatting those bugs away!

One way we keep the bugs away is bug spray! Many people ask which kind of bug spray is safe for kids and which kind works the best. 

 The best reported bug repellent out there to work against both ticks and mosquitos is DEET(N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide). The smell of this type of repellent isn’t pleasant to insects. The way DEET works is the length of protection depends on the percent of DEET. 10% works for a couple of hours and 20% works twice as long.

However, DEET does pose a couple of side effects, the most common side effect being skin irritation. There is also a slight risk that DEET can affect the brain and possibly cause seizures. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that the risk of seizure due to DEET is one in a hundred million users.

The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend using DEET in infants less than two months old. They also report that using up to 30% is safe for children. A couple of tactics that have found not to work are soaking wristbands in repellents, taking a garlic or vitamin B1 pill and bug zappers or ultrasonic devices.

Here is a list of some otherrepellents besides DEET that work pretty well:

• 2-undecanone (IBI-246). This is a chemical naturally found in various plants--it's used to not only repel insects, but dogs and cats! It is found in Bite Blocker products. According to the EPA, it protects for four hours against mosquitoes, two hours against ticks.
• Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus or PMD (the man-made version of it)--this works pretty well for up to six hours against both mosquitoes and ticks.
• Picaridin--works well against mosquitoes, but not ticks.
• IR-3535--this is the active ingredient in Avon's insect repellents. It's made from a common amino acid, alanine. It only protects for about two hours against mosquitoes or ticks.
• Citronella oil--doesn't work as well as Eucalyptus. You will only get an hour or so out of it.
• Other oils, like Soybean or Catnip (your cat will love that one)--they offer variable protection, and aren't so great against ticks.

Here is another list of things to remember no matter what kind of repellent you choose to use:

• Grownups, not kids, should do the applying.
• Spray in an open area to minimize how much of the stuff you breathe in.
• When applying to the face, spray some into your hand and then rub it on the face (steering clear of the eyes and mouth).
• Wash your hands, so that you don't end up inadvertently mixing bug spray with your sandwich (this is why I'm not so wild about those repellent wipes).
• Try to use a product geared for the amount of time you need, rather than reapplying (especially when using a DEET product).
• Don't buy combination sunscreen-insect repellent products, for just this reason--sunscreen is something you should reapply.
• Don't use it on open skin.
• Dress kids in light-colored clothing--and spray the clothing.
• Give kids a good washing at the end of the day with soap and water, and be sure to wash sprayed clothing before it's worn again.

 What kind of bug repellent do you use on your children? Let us know on Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City's Facebook page linked here.

The Weight of the Nation: A 4-Part Documentary on the Obesity Epidemic

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City

585 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530

516-222-5100

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

HBO is partnering with the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Institute of Medicine for a four-part series called “Weight of the Nation.” With more than a third of Americans being overweight or obese, the United States is certainly facing an epidemic.

The goal of this series is to inform individuals about all the health issues that pertain to them and the future of the United States. Weight of a Nation will focus on a couple of different issues/areas surrounding the epidemic including consequences, choices and children in crisis and challenges.

Here are a couple of interesting facts from the documentary:

• One out of 5 kids drinks three or more sugar-sweetened beverages per day,accounting for an extra meal. 
• Less than 1 percent of Americans meet the criteria for ideal cardiovascular health. 
• One in 4 adults gets no physical activity. 
• Obesity costs American businesses $70 billion in lost productivity. 
• Profit margin for soft drinks is 90 percent. Profit margin for produce is 10 percent.

Mother's Day Recipe for a Cool, Delicious Cake!

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City

585 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530

516-222-5100

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

Sunday, May 13^th marks the official date of Mother’s Day! With this special day quickly approaching, many people are scrambling for the perfect gift idea. Here’s an easy recipe to show mom just how much you appreciate her!

Recipe for “Cool Cake for Mom”

Ingredients

• 1 (10 3/4-ounce) pound cake
• 1 (3 1/8-ounce) box of instant pudding
• 1 cup whipped topping

• Fruit (we used 2 bananas and 4 large strawberries)
• Mint sprigs (optional)
• Chilled chocolate syrup

Instructions

1. Slice the pound cake into several horizontal slices about an inch thick.
2. Prepare the pudding according to package directions. Mix the pudding with the whipped topping.
3. Chop up the fresh fruit you've chosen.
4. Layer the cake, fruit, and a little less than half of the pudding mixture in a loaf pan. Then top the cake with the remaining pudding.
5. Put the cake in the fridge for a couple of hours. When it's chilled, decorate it; we topped ours with trimmed strawberries and mint sprigs.
6. Squeeze on a greeting with chilled chocolate syrup. Then serve Mom a sweet treat on her special day.

Do Kids Need Dental Sealants?

 Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City 

585 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530

516-222-5100

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

Many children across the nation choose sugary juice drink over water and rarely turn down a piece of candy. Dentists who see these children often times suggest giving them dental sealants to keep tooth decay to a minimum. It is an ongoing debate amongst dentists whether enough kids get the liquid plastic coverings that protect their teeth.

According to studies conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 20% of children at poverty level and only 40% of kids from higher-income homes actually receive recommended sealants. Dental sealants are formed when dentists drip a plastic-like liquid onto the biting surface of the tooth, coating the pits and fissures that typically trap food and foster the growth of bacteria.

Dental sealants are applied to the permanent molars and set with ultraviolet light, usually between the ages of 5 and 7. The cost of this procedure is usually $30 to $40 per tooth and it is typically covered by most dental insurance policies.

What Do You Do With Your Children for Fun?

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City

585 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530

516-222-5100

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

 

Are you looking for some fun activities to do with your children close by? Here is a list of some ideas in the area happening soon, provided by the New York Times. 

Visit the Roslyn Harbor Nassau County Museum of Art's “A Self Portrait on the Walls,” a documentary on the artist Jim Dine as he produced an exhibition in Germany. “All About Looking,” a film about Mr. Dine’s teaching his drawing methods. Tuesdays through Sundays at 11:30 a.m., 12:30 and 3 p.m., both through July 8. Free with museum admission, $4 to $10. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Drive. (516) 484-9337.

If you’re from the Garden City area come down to the Long Island Children’s Museum “The Mystery of the Mayan Medallion,” traveling exhibition, through May 6. “Catch-All Character Cups.” Visitors create a character cup to display and organize markers and crayons. May 1 through 4, 2:30 to 4 p.m. Free with museum admission, $10 and $11. “Cinco de Mayo!” Visitors learn about the history of the holiday and make a miniature sombrero. May 5, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Free with museum admission. Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Avenue. (516) 224-5800; licm.org.

What do you like to do with your kids on Long Island? Share your ideas with us on the Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City Facebook Wall, linked HERE.

CDC Reports that Autism Rates are Rising Sharply.... Could it be environmental?

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City

585 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530

516-222-5100 

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

A new study on 8 year olds has concluded that 1 in every 88 has some form of Autism. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that autism rates have been climbing dramatically over the last decade (LATimes.com). Reports prior to this study reported that it was estimated that every 1 in 110 had some form of Autism.

These new statistics are sure to raise a debate on whether or not there is a growing environmental threat. The cause of Autism is currently unknown. There are no blood tests available or biological markers to indicate that one has Autism. Autism is diagnosed by the symptoms, which are social and communication difficulties starting very early childhood as well as repetitive behaviors or abnormally intense interests. Autism can often only be diagnosed by a clinician and their judgment. 

Mark Roithmayr, president of the advocacy group Autism Speaks, reports that “Autism is now becoming an epidemic in the United States,” (LATimes.com). Many people believe that the rising rates have much to do with environmental causes. 

Many also believe that because Autism awareness has grown, healthcare providers and schools are more likely to label a child autistic or document symptoms. Researchers are hoping that new studies will draw attention for the need of a more thorough screenings early on in a child’s life. 

Dr. Reynolds of Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City specializes in treating children with special needs. Call today to schedule your child's visit! For more information, visit PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com.