Our Blog

1. How can I improve my child's smile?
This is a broad question and it is awesome because
there are quite a few ways to improve your smile.
This question keeps things open for your dentist to address. The learning possibilities here are ample.

2. What should my child's oral hygiene regimen be?
Not everyone does the same routine. Your dentist
can address how to set up an at-home care regimen
that fits yours and child's lifestyle.

Some examples are:
Brush, floss, and rinse daily.
Eat a balanced diet and limit snacking.
Examine your mouth regularly.
Develop a partnership with your dentist.

3. When should my child have their first checkup and how often should they have a dental exam and cleaning?

Asking your dentist this question is good because
the dentist can address your child's specific case.

For average, every 6 months is good practice.
It is still good to ask your dentist this question.

4. How can I keep my child's teeth whiter?
This is a good question to ask because you may find out extra ways to combat staining your teeth while staying overall healthy.

5. Does my child have any dental health conditions I should know about?
There are some things that concern me.

This question will be a great way to start a conversation about
your health goals for your child, and how you can reach your goals
as well as reach improvement.

If you have some concerns, let your dentist know so they can
address these so nothing gets missed.

6. When Do Baby Teeth Typically Fall Out?
Most children begin losing their baby teeth between the ages of six and eight.
Every child is different and their teeth may fall out in different times.
Consult with your dentist.

7. Is mouthwash safe for kids?
Typically mouthwash is not advised for kids until they reach the
age of 6 or 7. But it is highly advised to consult with your dentist.

8. What is Causing the Pain in My child's Teeth?
Pain in your children's teeth can be caused by several
reasons such as tooth sensitivity, a broken tooth,
or an infection.

It is very important to seek consultation and ask your dentist
questions if your child is experiencing pain.

X-rays will be taken but causes can be detected by a full examination.

9. Are Sports drinks good for my teen?
This question is great for several reasons.
Sports drinks may be good for energy and performance, but they
contain alot of sugar and artificial elements which can be very harmful
to your childs or teens teeth.

Ask your dentist about sports drinks and healthy drinks.

10. Does my child need any dental treatments?
Even if you feel your childs mouth or teeth are fine,
dental treatments may be beneficial.
Talking about potential options with your dentist
is a good strategy.

11. What are your payment and financial policies?
Asking about a Dental firms policies and practices is
important so you may be fully informed before you move forward
with any treatments.

12. Is my child grinding their teeth and why?
What should I do?
Bruxism (BRUK-siz-um) is a condition in which you involuntary grind,
gnash or clench your teeth. Some people may not
know they are experiencing it and why, especially kids.

13. Should I change my diet in any way?

Believe it or not, food has a big impact on dental health.
A great way to improve your childs smile is to ask your dentist
about a healthy diet that promotes great dental health.

Every child needs a healthy diet but some may have allergies and other conditions. Make sure to speak with your dentist about this.

14. What is your continuing education policy?
This is a great question but it can better be asked the following way.

Do your dentists continue learning about dentistry, tools,
medicines?
Are your dentists part of any organizations?

Dentists have supporting organizations that keep them
informed and educated as science and dentistry practices
undergo change.

It's ok to ask them how they keep up with continuing education.
Our Dentists stay diligent on trends and continuing education in several ways.

Next time you visit the dentist, don't be afraid to ask these questions.
They are there to help your child with their dental health, overall health and to educate the community about dental health.

To schedule a first consultation or visit, please contact us at
one of our locations:
SCHEDULE an appointment here

There are many reasons why the little ones don't like to
brush their teeth. Many parents have questions and say things like,
"What do you do when your child refuses to brush their teeth?"
and "help little one just won't brush their teeth"

Toddlers tend to take control of what's theirs. In this case, their mouth.

But there are a few ways to get your reluctant toddler to scrub their pearly whites. Toddlers don't like to stand still. They have to be constantly on the move.
So in their mind, 2 minutes of brushing can seem eternal.

• Get them involved:
  Have them pick out their favorite color toothbrushes at
  your general store of choice.
• Let them lead the way!
  If they are the ones holding the toothbrush,
  they feel more in control.
  Stay aware that they make a mess and that's normal. Kids are not proficient in
  brushing until they reach the ages of 7 - 8.
• Supervise how much toothpaste goes onto the toothbrush
  and the activity of brushing.
• Singing a cute children's song while they do it may help make it fun.
• Standing behind them in front of a mirror or embracing them
  can help give them a sense of security. If they can't see the mirror,
  use a stepping stool if needed. This helps them see everything
  going on rather than blindly waiting on the activity.

The "Deep Pressure technique"
Pressing firmly on their shoulder can keep your child grounded
and can keep them calm especially when their teeth are sensitive.

Is my toddler refusing to brush their teeth due to pain?
What to do?

It's very possible that their teeth are sensitive.
Don't be alarmed. This does not require a diagnosis of any sort.
Simply ask them if they don't like brushing their teeth.
If it's no. Ask them why.

But here's a little winning tip.
Don't ask them when their emotions are up.
They most likely will answer with bias.

Your tot can surprise you with their response.
Once you know why they don't like it, you can move forward from there.

Is your child a picky eater. It's a clue.
When a child is a picky eater, it means they are sensitive to textures. The feel of the brush alone may be the reason why they don't want to brush.

What if my toddler child doesn't like the taste?
Introducing to them another flavor may come in handy.
If they are involved in picking it out, it may
make things go smoother.

• Your toddler may then get excited when it's time to brush because
  the flavor they chose is fun.
• On the next visit, ask your dentist to help
  explain why brushing is good and (hint: fun )
• Characters can play an important role.
  Characters like Disney princesses and Spiderman play big roles
  in making tots feel more comfortable and at ease.
  It feels like they're not alone in this journey.
• Also having a favorite toy or stuffed animal near
  can give a sense of security and comfortability.
• Practice makes perfect! Well, not really but it helps.
  you can make things fun for your toddler by giving them
  an extra toothbrush for them to practice on a doll
  and supervising them.
• The Toothpaste battle avoidance
  If your little one doesn't want the toothpaste,
  you can use just plain water in the meantime as you gradually
  try again later to get them used to toothpaste.

More Character Examples:

The act of brushing is more important than the toothpaste battle.
- The laughing technique.
Your toddler can fall into some giggling
from you brushing their nose or chin and making it look
like an accident. Oops. That doesn't go there.

• While practicing on a doll, you can make a joke about the
  doll using a hairbrush to brush its teeth.
  Ask your child if that's right. They will tell you
  it's supposed to be a toothbrush

Sensory Activities before brushing. The "Sensory Diet technique"
When a child is active, they can tire out or slow down
after a while. Having them be active before bath time
and brushing can make them more toleratable to
brushing their teeth especially when they
are sensitive.

• Use a routine.
  Having a routine can ensure the consistency of brushing their teeth
  as well as promoting good habits.
• Brush in the morning after waking up.
• Brush after a bath or before bedtime.
• 5 - 10 minute reminders can be helpful
• Have a special song or a few different ones to sing
  while they brush, before or after.
• Maybe singing a victory song afterward can help.

We hope that this helps with your reluctant tot.

If your tot is still reluctant, you can always sing a song while having
an exciting visit to the dentist.
Our experienced, caring, and dedicated Children's general team of
dentists and hygienists are looking forward to providing
comprehensive dental and gentle care for your child.
Please contact us for an appointment.

February is National Children's Dental Health Month
but celebrating children's dental health month is all
year-round for us.

News!:
February 2021 is National Children's Dental Health Month.

2021 NCDHM Campaign

This is brought to you by the ADA.
This is a national month-long observance. It brings together thousands of dedicated professionals, healthcare providers, and educators to promote the benefits of good oral health to children, their caregivers, teachers, and many others.

Fun Activity Sheets for the children!

Looking for Healthy smile quick Tips!

• Children should brush their teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
at night before bedtime is an excellent time to do so.
• Children should clean between their teeth daily.
• Children should eat a healthy diet that limits sugary beverages and snacks.
• See your dentist regularly for prevention and treatment of oral disease

Why some teeth do not come in straight?

It’s quite common for children to get adult teeth that are not straight.
The most common factors include extra teeth, missing teeth, large teeth, wide spacing, or inadequate spacing/small jaws. Habits like thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, premature loss of baby teeth, or a poor breathing airway caused by enlarged
adenoids aggravate the problem, resulting in crowded teeth and/or an abnormal bite.

Regular visits to the dentist

The first primary/baby teeth start to come in at about 6 months of age. As soon as your child first gets their baby teeth, it’s important to get them on their first trip to the dentist. This allows the dentist to help ensure your child’s teeth stay clean,
and they can examine the inbound adult teeth.
Once the adult teeth start coming in, regular dental visits will allow your dentist to notice if some teeth are not coming in straight and they can refer you to an orthodontist or in our case, to our orthodontist department.

Habits

A children's general dentist can help you identify and correct bad habits that might cause teeth to not erupt straight. One of the most common examples is pacifiers. While it can be a great way to soothe a baby and even provide health benefits for infants, it can also
play a part in teeth erupting differently.
However, One should wean their child of the pacifier by the age of two, otherwise, it can cause teeth to grow incorrectly. Thumb sucking is another big instigator of crooked teeth.
A children's general dentist has extensive experience helping children change habits and they can work with you to create a plan for breaking them and know how to provide the right kind of motivation to cause change.

Keep an eye on growth

Sometimes when children start getting adult teeth, they erupt (break through the gums) in a crooked fashion.
While they might look quite crooked in the early stages of growth, they do most of the time end up aligned in a correct position by the time they’re fully grown.
So even if your child is getting teeth that are initially crooked, there’s no need to panic. Your active role during this period is to have regular visits to your child’s dentist so they can provide timely professional insights about any required treatments.

Visit the Orthodontist

If your child gets a reference for an orthodontist, then you should definitely get a consultation. The sooner they can visit the earlier they can begin treatment. Earlier treatment means it's easier and cheaper to fix the teeth and bite,
by correcting minor issues instead of waiting until they become major issues.
Around the age of 7, adult teeth can start to come in, and that is a good time for a visit to the orthodontist, who can assess if early treatments are necessary to prevent major treatments in the future.
Do you feel that your child's teeth seem to be not straight?
Do you feel they may need braces? Contact one of our offices near you.

To schedule a first consultation or visit, please contact us at
one of our locations:

1. 140 Market St, Paterson, NJ 07505
Children's Dentistry - 3rd Floor
Orthodontics Center - 2nd Floor
Treatment Center - 4th Floor
(973) 742-4200

2. 625 Main Ave
Passaic, NJ 07055
Children's Dentistry - 3rd Floor
(973) 574-1000

3. 3196 John Fitzgerald Kennedy Blvd
3rd Floor
Union City, NJ 07087
(201) 325-8444