It’s exciting when that first baby tooth breaks through. It’s another milestone to note in the scrapbook as your baby continues to grow and change almost daily.  However, new responsibilities for parents and caregivers accompany the new milestone. It’s easy to overlook the importance of caring for primary teeth or “baby teeth”, after-all they will eventually just fall out right? Wrong! Baby teeth are vitally important to the future dental well being of your child.

Baby Teeth Are Important

It’s during the early months and years that a foundation for healthy dental hygiene is formed. Baby teeth are just as important as permanent adult teeth.  Not only do they provide a child with the ability to chew, they also save space in the jaws for the adult teeth.

Decay In Baby Teeth

As soon as a tooth appears, decay can occur. If a cavity appears in the baby tooth, sometimes that decay will slowly get bigger and grow deeper.  If the tooth is about to fall out, we may choose to just leave it alone. If the tooth is not ready come out, there are some steps that need to be taken to properly treat the cavity to prevent more extensive dental work.

If tooth decay is left untreated in these baby teeth it can make it painful for a child to chew and eat food.  As the damage increases the baby teeth will be destroyed and they will be unable to guide the more permanent teeth into their proper positions.  This may result in crowded or even crooked adult teeth.

A badly decayed baby tooth can even result in an abscessed tooth which opens the door to the possibility of infection and the opportunity for that infection to spread.

The First Tooth

The first tooth usually breaks through around 6 or 7 months of age; more than likely it will be the bottom front incisors.  There is no need to worry if a tooth does not break through this early, some children won’t welcome their first tooth until 12 months of age and will continue to see teeth come in until about three years old.  Every child is unique, therefore there is variability in every child’s timeline regarding their teeth.

Keep Baby Teeth Clean

It’s never too early to begin proper tooth care.  A baby’s teeth and gums can be cleaned after every feeding with a warm wash cloth or even a gauze pad, this simply helps to remove any plaque and leftover food.

As you can see, baby teeth lay the foundation to a lifetime of dental care in one way or another. Early steps in the proper care of your child’s teeth, especially baby teeth, will reduce the potential for more severe problems in the future.

As always, please feel welcome to contact us if you have any questions about baby teeth or your child’s dental health. You can also post to our Facebook or Twitter pages.

Fluoride can be the greatest weapon in your arsenal in the fight against tooth decay, bacteria and cavities in your child’s teeth. Pediatric Dentistry of Glens Falls has waged a war against tooth decay in children and fluoride is at the forefront of the crusade.

What Is Fluoride?
Fluoride is a natural element that contains the compound fluorine. Many communities have small amounts of fluoride in their water already.  It can also be found in many dental products such as toothpaste, gels and mouth rinse. Do you know if your water has fluoride in it?  Find out if you have this natural element because research shows it can lower decay rates over 50 percent.

The Fight Is On
Fluoride fights cavities because it prevents the loss of minerals in tooth enamel.  It helps strengthen the areas that are weak and discourages acid from breaking down the tooth.

Finding Fluoride
If fluoride is not found in your drinking water (and many times it won’t be if you live outside of a community), we can recommend fluoride supplements.  The amount of fluoride that may be recommended will depend on your child’s age and their dental hygiene history that would indicate early tooth decay.  We can help determine if your child is getting the right amount of fluoride.

Fluoride Safety
Too much fluoride can cause fluorosis, which can is tiny, white specks or streaks on the teeth that are often not noticed. It is usually a mild condition, but in severe cases there can be a brown discoloration. Any fluoride supplements need to be kept out of reach of children.

Fluoride And Toothpaste Team Up
Fluoride can be found in toothpaste.  We can guide you through what toothpastes are acceptable for your child.  Parents do need to help their young children dispense the toothpaste.  You should also be aware if they are swallowing the toothpaste. We recommend a pea size drop for children over age two. If your child is younger, a gentle dab on the tip of the brush is sufficient.

The Battle Continues
As with any step taken in improving dental care for your children, diet is always a key factor.  A diet low in sugar can improve success rates greatly in the fight against cavities and other tooth derailments.  There are more ways to fight with fluoride such as gels or foams, we would be happy to help you in any way we can!

Please feel welcome to contact us if we can help. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Teaching children to brush and floss their teeth can be somewhat amusing, but it can offer some frustrating moments as well. Young children ages 2-5 are fiercely fighting for independence and brushing their own teeth at night is no exemption to the “me do it” stage.  Despite their own self-confidence, children in this early stage still need parental guidance.  Between the ages of 6 and 8, children are more in control of their fine motor skills and are more capable of brushing on their own.

It’s important to start early and children learn by watching and adapting behaviors they see.  It may prove beneficial to brush your teeth with your child in the initial phases.

A few basic steps to consider:

• Brush at least twice a day.
• Brush for at least two minutes.
• Be patient and look to “help” your child along.
• Use a soft bristled toothbrush.
• Use a pea size amount of toothpaste.
• Avoid using fluoride until the child is old enough not to swallow the toothpaste.
• Use a circular motion when brushing.
• Brush from outside, inside and then biting surface
• Floss.  Introducing flossing is fairly easy because most children have large spaces between their teeth. There are flossing aides available at your local store that may make it easier for your child to adapt to flossing everyday.

Make Brushing Fun!!!

Rock Out!  Play your child’s favorite song while they brush. This can make brushing more like a rock concert than a routine.  Most songs last longer than two minutes, so before their favorite tune is over, they are done!

Adventure Time!

Who doesn’t want a superhero toothbrush or perhaps the prettiest Disney Princess pioneering this adventure at the bathroom sink? Let your child pick out their own toothbrush at the store.  You can find just about any major cartoon character in the form of a toothbrush and this is one way they can exercise some of that independence muscle they are dying to flex.

Laugh!

Make funny faces in the mirror while you brush.  If you can get your child to make the “ahh” or “eee” sound, they may be laughing, but you can be sure they are brushing all the necessary surfaces.

Save yourself time and money with regular check ups.  Regular check ups with a pediatric dentist helps prevent tooth decay and gum disease which in turn saves you money when you don’t have to pay for fillings or other dental procedures.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

The celebration continues!! In case you missed it, February is National Children’s Dental Health Month and it’s a great way to celebrate and create awareness of healthy habits that will maintain amazing, lifelong smiles in your children.

This month can be the catalyst to your new approach to dental care for you and your family. Consider it the New Year’s Resolution you never thought to make! We all know children learn by example, so YOU are the key to your child’s beautiful smile staying that way.

If simple healthy habits are introduced at a young age, children will adopt a routine that will hopefully carry on throughout a lifetime. Educating children at home and teaching proper brushing and flossing techniques has a tremendous impact on their overall oral health and healthy habits.

Need some ideas to jump start creating new and better habits this month?

Infants:

• When a baby’s teeth erupt clean their gums after each feeding with a warm cloth.
• Use an infant training toothpaste to introduce brushing.
• Schedule a dental appointment by age one.

 Toddlers: (ages 2-3)

• Begin teaching proper brushing techniques. You still need to help them as they are not old enough nor do their little hands have the dexterity to do it alone.
• Limit sugar in the diet.
• You should also know if your water contains fluoride or not.
• There are all sorts of fun toothbrushes to make cleaning teeth more fun. Just make sure the toothbrush is age appropriate.

 8 years old and up:

• Set a good example by brushing and flossing yourself and do it in front of your children.
• Stress good nutrition. At this age they can understand what it means to have a healthy diet.
• Prevention is the best care for oral hygiene. The sooner good healthy habits start, the better!

Your new and simple healthy habits can be enhanced by regular check ups.  We can provide you and your child with education and assist you with any concerns you may have. Please feel welcome to give us a call any time at (518) 798-9966.

The first year of your baby’s life is filled with miraculous little milestones.  The first sounds, the first rollover, the first time they finally sleep through the night and that amazing moment when the first smile appears.  It’s an amazing year of “firsts”.
There are also the first doctor visits and first shots, but many times we forget about that first dental visit.  The first year is a critical time for your child’s development and oral hygiene begins early.

When should you schedule your first dental visit?

The first visit to the dentist should be done by a child’s first birthday, or by the time they have their first set of 8 teeth, whichever comes first. Most teeth start appearing around 6 months of age, so by 12 months it is time to embark on the journey of preventative care.

Early exams can prevent a number of problems from developing and keep parents informed about how to best care for young teeth.

It’s never too late to start, we always are willing to help establish and reach healthy dental goals at any age.

Isn’t 12 months a little young for a trip to the dentist?

Dental problems such as baby bottle, nursing, cavities and tooth decay are all big concerns for parents and pediatric dentists. As soon as a child starts deviating from breast milk, teeth are exposed to possible problems of decay. The earlier the first dental visit, the better.

What can you expect on your first dental visit?

At Pediatric Dentistry of Glens Falls we strive to make every visit a pleasant one for you and your child. We know children! Our staff is always ready and waiting with a smile.

We understand visiting the dentist can be daunting, especially for younger children, but you can expect an atmosphere that caters to making your child feel at ease and comfortable.

Pediatric dentists specialize in working with children. We understand their fears, development and need for special attention during this time.  We know it’s just as important for the parents to feel comfortable as well as the children and our goal is to make sure that happens.

We talk you through each step and you are more than welcome to stay with your child through his or her visit with us.

We will review diet, habits and routine to better equip you in your effort to provide the best dental hygiene for your child and we are happy to answer any questions you may have prior to your visit.

Please take a look at our First Dental Visit Videos to gain a better understanding of how your first visit will go, for various age groups. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Children are notorious for their bad and well, let’s admit it, somewhat gross habits.  It doesn’t take long to catch them wiping noses on their sleeve, putting fingers in their mouth and sneezing in each other’s faces. Children’s habits seem almost self-forming, but some very popular habits can actually result in poor dental health.  From thumb-sucking to sippy cups and bottles, a child can be led down a path of poor dental care if these habits are not squashed early.

Thumb-sucking:

The most popular bad habit of them all.  Thumb-sucking is an issue when it becomes a chronic habit in a child. Not only does it spread germs, but continual thumb-sucking poses dental issues as well.  Most children do stop sucking their thumb before the age of four, but if the habit is not stalled it can lead to malocclusion (misalignment) which can require orthodontic treatment in the future.

Break The Habit: Early on, try to dissuade your child from sucking their thumb.  Reminding them to remove their thumb every time they try to suck on it can be overwhelming, but consistency is the key.  A few days or weeks of consistently intervening will probably diminish the behavior. Using a habit calendar or positive reinforcement can also be very helpful. If all else fails there are topical solutions to put on the thumb that leave a bitter taste in the mouth.

Sippy Cups:

Sippy cups can be bottles in disguise.  These sippy cups pose a problem because they don’t necessarily allow the child to sip; instead the child has to suck on the cup to get to the liquid inside.

Choose training cups carefully and once a child learns to sip, the training cup has served it’s purpose.  You can find cups with leads that still allow a child to drink, but does not require them to suck on the dispenser.

Break The Habit: Don’t allow your child to walk around with the cup, be choosy about what you put in the cup and how frequently your child sips from the cup.

Bottle In Bed:

Sometimes, at the end of the day, you would give or do just about anything to get your child to fall asleep quickly and peacefully. A common remedy is to give your young one a bottle and let them fall to sleep with it.

Putting a child to sleep with a bottle of anything but water can lead to tooth decay and cavities. This includes milk. Many parents don’t realize that milk breaks down into sugar. The sugar in the fluids stays on the teeth and mixes with bacteria.  Eventually, the acids eats through the enamel.  Dentists may use the term “bottle mouth”.

This habit is not easy to break, but the end result will be worth it.

Break The Habit: Try diluting the liquid down each night until the end result is just water. Eventually, ease your child into falling asleep on his/her own. It doesn’t have to all be accomplished in one night, but start by taking the bottle out of their mouth just before they are sound asleep. They will fuss, but the end result will be seeing them learn to fall asleep on their own.

Does your child have a bad oral habit? If you have questions and you need answers, please feel welcome to contact us!

The flow of a busy lifestyle leaves little time to ponder the health and well-being of your child’s dental development.  It may seem easier to bring your child to the family dentist, however that young, enchanting smile may be in jeopardy without the proper care from a pediatric dentist.

The specific dental needs of a child greatly differ from that of an adult. A pediatric dentist provides the expertise needed to treat the unique challenges in children’s oral hygiene, which provides you with the comfort that you are getting the best possible care for your child.

Does a pediatric dentist really differ from another type of dentist?

Yes, and here’s how:

• They may find and treat a problem quicker and earlier than a family dentist.
• They understand the behavior of children and how to specifically deal with your child’s fears or emotional challenges.
• They are trained specifically and they are uniquely qualified for your child’s oral healthcare.
• They are passionate about children and know how to make the entire experience a comfortable one.
• They are trained an additional two years to provide the necessary qualifications and treatment for your child’s dental and orthodontic problems.

Pediatrics Emphasize Prevention

Understanding basic oral care is half the battle and a pediatric dentist will take the time to help you in providing the best plan for your child by:

• Encourage a household routine.
• Addressing lifestyle issues to provide healthy oral care for your child.
• Identifying habit-forming problems in infants. A pediatric dentist is going to have the specific know-how in caring for your child’s early preventative health measures.
• Engaging parents and children in a partnership to make sure oral hygiene is fun, but effective.

Pediatric Dentists Want You To Know…

• Many children develop problems from sucking thumbs, bottle or breast feeding.
• Children can develop mouth sores.
• Cavities can be hard to detect in young children.
• Children’s teeth require unique attention when problems arise.
• Your child’s oral care should begin when the first tooth breaks through.
• Diet is extremely important.
• Dental care is as unique as your child and each child and treated with compassion.
• You can be with your child every step of the way through their appointment.

As a care taker you may want to consider that children tend to remain calmer in a pediatric office suited for their age rather than the clinical atmosphere of a regular dental office. Cartoons on the lobby TV are much more interesting and welcoming than daytime talk shows.  Warm colors on the walls as well as toys, posters, and books your child associates with can dramatically enhance the entire dentist experience.  Don’t forget, the staff is trained and ready to provide extra smiles and energy to make sure your child feels comfortable.

You can help prepare your child by watching our overview and first visit videos. You can also stop by for a visit before your actual appointment.

Please feel welcome to contact us with questions or to schedule your appointment.

Did you know February is National Children’s Dental Month?  It is! It’s a month set aside to celebrate and create awareness of good oral health and habits for children.  Pediatric dentists across the country including Pediatric Dentistry of Glens Falls are embracing February as a time to teach, enhance and acknowledge how far pediatric dental care has come and how it continues to grow.

We often neglect to include oral hygiene under the umbrella of health care, but the U.S Surgeon General has dubbed oral diseases as the “silent epidemic” sweeping the country and affecting children of all ages in every region.  We need to be aware of some very common diseases that arise and plague our nation’s children.

Common diseases include:

• Cavities
• Gingivitis
• Gum disease
• Mouth ulcers

When these problems are detected early, it prevents many more severe problems and lessens the potential and unnecessary suffering of a child.

Participating in National Children’s Dental Health Month with Pediatric Dentistry of Glens Falls, parents and children learn together.  In the process parents understand what to look for in early detection of possible dental problems and children can be made aware of steps they need to take to keep their smiles strong and beautiful.

A happy smile begins at home and you should know:

• Baby teeth are important! You should begin brushing or wiping your infant’s teeth as soon as they erupt.
• A bad tooth and untreated cavities are painful and can lead to infection.
• Prenatal care is important! Moms-to-be need to eat well, brush twice daily.
• Floss!
• Avoid sugary foods.
• Brush long enough. A good rule for children is to brush teeth for at least two full minutes.

Our staff can continuously provide tips to help you and your children on the journey to the best possible oral health care, so join us in becoming more aware of what goes on inside your child’s amazing mouth.

A little bit of dental history:

National Children’s Dental Health Month began in Cleveland, Ohio when the American Dental Association (ADA) observed it’s first Children’s Dental Health day in 1941. Eight years later it transformed into a week-long event.  In 1981, the program encompassed an entire month sponsored by the ADA.

If you have any questions regarding your child’s dental care, please feel welcome to contact us, leave a comment, or post to our Facebook or Twitter page.

Welcome to the new Website and blog for Pediatric Dentistry of Glens Falls. As you may have noticed we have an all-new look.

However, it’s not just a new look, it’s a strong commitment to provide valuable information about dentistry and optimal dental hygiene, throughout the year, to help you keep your children’s teeth healthy and clean. Here are a few ways we are going to be doing that…

Blogosphere Here We Come:

Our blog will focus on providing educational content for you and your family on a regular basis with a well-rounded view of dentistry and dental hygiene. We will cover nutrition, local events, commonly asked questions and topics that will be beneficial to you.
We welcome your feedback, so please feel free to comment below or e-mail us if you have any specific topics you would like us to cover.

Watch Out Facebook and Twitter:

Pediatric Dentistry of Glens Falls is joining the social media revolution to better serve you, our awesome patients. Check us out on our newly launched Facebook and Twitter pages or watch us on YouTube.  We will keep you informed with our blog posts, dental hygiene tips and update you on what we have going on here.  Share us with your friends and family and connect with us so we can continue to serve you better, answer your questions and inform you of any contests we may run!

Videos:

We have put together some videos to help you get a better sense for who we are and to help you understand what you and your child can expect on your first visit to the dentist (or your first trip to Pediatric Dentistry of Glens Falls).  We aim to add more video throughout the year.

Same Great Service & Staff:

Above all we are committed to being the best pediatric dentist in the region. Check out our new Staff Bios page to become better acquainted with Dr. Sani and Dr. Garcia as well as our dental hygienists and amazing office staff.

Thank you for visiting.  We hope you enjoy our new online home. Please be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (@PDGFsmiles) for updates and educational articles. This is just one more step to ensure we maintain our solid reputation as the best pediatric dentist in the region.

Give us a call today to schedule your child’s next dental vist. See you soon!