Back to School Dental Tips

          

Your child may have the latest wardrobe, school supplies and sports equipment for the new school year, but do they have a healthy mouth and the tools they'll need to maintain it?

According to the American Dental Association, a dental examination is as important as immunizations and booster shots and should be a regular part of back-to-school preparations. With over 51 million school hours missed per year because of dental problems, we think it’s pretty safe to say that taking steps to prevent dental problems and dental emergencies in school age children is a good idea.  Here are some back to school dental tips that will help ensure that your child or teen’s healthy teeth check-ups are the only dental appointments they will need this year.

Supervise Dental Hygiene

In younger children, this is especially important.  Instruct them on proper brushing and flossing.  Check their work to make sure they have cleaned all the way in back and behind their front teeth.  Talk about healthy teeth, and the importance of maintaining good personal hygiene by brushing teeth twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste, and once your permanent teeth come in, make sure that they floss.

Don't Skip Regular Dental Check-Ups

The best way to avoid the need for extensive dental work is to detect problems early.  Seeing the dentist every six months for and exam and dental cleaning makes this possible, and prevents small problems from turning into bigger, more expensive and more time consuming problems.

Wear Sports Mouthguards

Some of the most common sports injuries are dental injuries.  Youth athletics are an important part of life for many kids, and dental injuries can happen in any sport.  Make sure your child or teen wears a dental mouth guard to protect his/her teeth during practice and games.  Ask your dentist about custom-fitted mouth guards for added protection.

Pack a Good Lunch

1. Stay away from packing your child’s lunch with drinks that are high in sugar.  Many sports drinks, energy drinks, sodas, and juices have anywhere between 5-12 teaspoons of sugar in one serving.  The longer this sugar stays on your child’s teeth, the more likely they will develop tooth decay.  Many children do not have a chance to brush their teeth throughout the day, so minimizing the amount of sugar in their lunch can help decrease their chances of cavities.

2.  Pack snacks that are high in protein in your child’s lunch.  High protein foods will minimize hunger, and as a result your child will be less likely to snack all day on sugary unhealthy foods that are found in many cafeterias and on-campus vending machines.

3. If you want to occasionally add a sweet treat to your child’s lunch, try chocolate instead of other candies that are highly acidic and/or are more likely to stick to their teeth for long periods of time.

Check out our New Child Patient Special! If you have any questions about dental care for your kids, give us a call at 800-223-0801. We would love to see you, at our convenient Cedarhurst, NY office! 

Alternative Uses for Mouthwash

Do you have a bottle of mouthwash that sits on your bathroom counter only to be used once and a while? We often don’t think about using mouthwash as a part of our daily routine – but mouthwash has proven to come in handy for more than controlling just bad breath. Take a look at these refreshing and money-saving alternative uses for mouthwash.

Other than the obvious use of cleansing your mouth, mouthwash can aid many hygiene-related emergencies, as listed below:

• Face Cleanser. If you have an alcohol-based and sugar-free mouthwash, it can act exactly the same as a facial astringent. Simply apply to a clean face with a cotton ball and rinse afterward.
• Garlic Odor. As good as garlic tastes, it’s probably not the chosen perfume for date night. After eating garlic, you can get garlic breath, garlic hands…and just a garlic scent that is simply unappealing. Along with using mouthwash for its intended purpose, try rubbing a little on your hands and neck to defuse the smell.
• Dandruff Remover. Mouthwash is designed to kill bacteria and fungus in the mouth, but it does the exact same thing if you use it outside of the mouth. Dandruff is actually caused by a fungus, which causes the scalp to be irritated and itchy. To let mouthwash work its magic, simply soak your hair in mouthwash and wrap it in a towel for 15 minutes. After that, wash your hair normally. Repeat if needed. You can also dip a cotton swab into the mouthwash and run it over the scalp line and any areas that you see flakes.

Most of the uses of mouthwash from a health standpoint have to do with its anti-fungal properties and ingredients.

·         Cut Disinfectant. Because most mouthwashes contain alcohol of some kind, they can act as a great disinfectant. Simply apply some to a cotton swab and gently wipe the cut – if it stings slightly, that is normal.

• Hand Sanitizer. As longs as you use alcohol-based and sugar-free mouthwash, you are good to go for clean and fresh hands!
• Bruise Treatment. Rubbing mouthwash over a bruise or soon-to-be bruised area will help cover up any injury that may have occurred.
• Poison Ivy Treatment. While it is not an instant healing treatment, applying mouthwash to poison ivy relieves itchiness and speeds up the overall healing time.
• Athlete’s Foot Treatment. If you have spray for athlete’s foot, that is the best thing to use first. But if you find yourself in a tough spot, mouthwash will help, but it may sting slightly. If you are at the gym and forgot your shower shoes you can use mouthwash on your feet to help prevent athlete’s foot.
• After-Piercing Care. After you get a piercing, professionals will tell you to buy a special treatment for keeping the area clean and safe from infection. A secret: mouthwash does the same thing. Just apply it a couple of times a day and you’re set!
• Flea Repellant. For dogs or cats, a vet will suggest buying flea shampoo or spray to keep the pests off them, but mouthwash actually works well at keeping fleas away, too. You can either combine some mouthwash with your pet’s shampoo or create a spray by deluding it with water.

Around the home, mouthwash can be used in a variety of ways, especially when it comes to cleaning!

• Fresh Laundry. Sometimes, you just have that load of laundry that will not come out smelling fresh no matter what. In cases like this, adding a cup of mouthwash to the load helps eliminate odor and kills germs.
• Clean Bathrooms. Mouthwash is a great agent for killing mold or mildew in bathroom sinks, counters, toilets, showers and bathtubs! After cleaning, your bathroom will look and smell minty fresh!
• Garbage Disposal Cleaner. Ever sniff around the kitchen and notice something smells funky? More often than not, it is the garbage disposal stinking up the whole room. An easy fix for this is pouring about ½ a cup of mouthwash down the disposal and – voila!
• Computer Monitor Cleaner. This only works on glass monitors, but applying mouthwash with a damp rag to the screen helps clear off any smudges. This will not work well on LCD displays, so make sure you know which kind you have before you try it.

Isn’t it cool to hear all that mouthwash can do? So remember to practice good dental hygiene with brushing and flossing. Then use mouthwash to cleanse your breath and in other creative ways.

If you have any questions about mouthwash, give us a call at 800-223-0801. We would love to see you, at our convenient Cedarhurst, NY office! You can book online http://www.alinabergandds.com or call us today.  

Have a Bright Summer with a Whiter Smile

Summertime brings sunshine and warm weather, and many of our patients begin thinking about brightening their smiles this time of year. A whiter smile is one just one visit away with Dr. Alina Bergan D.D.S!

Many people try to whiten their teeth on their own at home, only to find out the products they are using either do not work or they cause harm to their teeth. Dental office tooth whitening is safe, quick, and inexpensive. It can be used to correct many tooth discolorations which may have been caused by staining, aging, or chemical damage to teeth. Using the latest in whitening technology, we can offer a safe method for creating the beautiful smile you’ve always wanted. Come in today for a consultation and let us tell you how we can get your smile shining in no time.

Dr. Alina Bergan is ready to help make your smile whiter this summer. Give us a call today at 800-223-0801, to schedule appointments at our convenient Cedarhurst, NY office!

Ways to Keep Kids’ Teeth Safe In Summer

To kids, summer is a time to play outside, go swimming, and have all kinds of adventures. Even though summer is a carefree time of year, it’s still important for them to take care of their teeth. Here are some simple ways you can keep their teeth safe as they play from dawn to dusk.

1. Swimming: Frequent swimmers are prone to something called “swimmer’s calculus,” which causes yellow-brown or dark brown stains on teeth. These spots are the result of pool water treatment chemicals coming in contact with their teeth. This usually happens when kids spend more than six hours a week in the pool. The good news is that it’s a cosmetic condition that can be easily removed by dentists. As a precaution, you may want to schedule an extra dental visit your kids do a lot of swimming.
2. Diving: If you plan on doing any scuba diving this summer, you may experience something called “tooth squeeze,” or pain in the center of the tooth. The changes in air pressure combined with divers biting too hard on the regulators can result in jaw pain, gum issues or tooth pain. Have the whole family’s teeth checked prior to any scuba excursions.
3. Pool safety: Many summertime dental injuries occur around the pool. Two of the most common causes are slipping and falling, and playing too rough. Talk to your kids to make sure they do not run around the pool or roughhouse in or around it.
4. Summer sports: When playing any contact sport—even if it’s just for fun—make sure your kids wear helmets and mouthguards. Mouthguards prevent more than 200,000 dental injuries each year.

Another way to keep your kids teeth this summer is to make sure they are eating the right kids of foods. Microbes from sugars and starches thrive in food particles stay in your kids’ mouth and create a menacing acid that can promote tooth cavities. It should be proposed that you just give your kids sugary pastries after dinner, or once a day. If your child needs snacks throughout the day, attempt to maintain a distance from sugary beverages, for example, fruit juices.

The following is a rundown of good snacks for your kid to enjoy during summer heat.

Fruit: Pineapples, pears, apples, berries, melons and oranges.

Grains: Unsweetened cereals, plain bagels and whole-grain breads.

Nuts and seeds: Pumpkin seeds, low-salt or unsalted peanuts, and sunflower seeds.

Raw vegetables: Carrots, broccoli and celery sticks.

Dr. Alina Bergan is ready to help make sure your family has great dental health this summer, please call with any questions or concerns you may have. We can be reached at 800-223-0801, to schedule appointments at our convenient Cedarhurst, NY office!

Fourth of July Dental Tips

Happy Fourth of July from your Cedarhurst Dentist Dr. Alina Bergan D.D.S. and staff! To help keep your celebrations as joyful as possible, we've put together a few dental tips that will keep your smile as bright as the fireworks.

Ice, Candy Apples, Corn on the Cob, and Pretzels are common at Fourth of July BBQs. Try to avoid chewing on ice and if you must have a candy apple, slice the apple to make it easier to chew on. Use a knife to cut the corn off of the cob so you can enjoy the flavor without hurting your teeth. If the pretzels are a bit stale try dunking them in some water before you chow down. If you do chip your tooth, here are some tips to keep the pain down until you can visit the office after the holiday day.

If your tooth is broken, chipped, or fractured, you definitely need to see Dr. Bergan as soon as possible), as you risk damaging your tooth further, or worse becoming infected, which can lead to total tooth loss. 

Make sure that you:

• Rinse your mouth with some clean, warm saltwater.
• Take some over-the-counter pain relief. Look for the bottle with acetaminophen as the active ingredient.
• If you have to eat, try to avoid using the broken tooth, and stick to soft foods
• Sometimes a broken or chipped tooth will leave a sharp edge, which you can cover with wax or plain chewing gum (sugarless).

Daylong snacking is a common event at Independence Day celebrations. To help keep your teeth clean without bringing a toothbrush, try chewing on some sugarless ADA approved gum. It will remove food particles and stimulate saliva production.

Beer and Soda are popular beverages at BBQs, so make sure to alternate drinks with water. This will help keep your teeth clean and the pH normal in your mouth. As an added bonus, water helps avoid hangovers and helps you to avoid becoming dehydrated.

Cheese, celery, and onions all help keep your teeth and mouth healthy, and they should be in easy supply at your celebration.

Please do not use your mouth as a bottle opener. This may sound ridiculous, but it happens more than you might think. When the bottle opener disappears, people resort to crazy tactics, and your teeth are often involved. Beer bottle related tooth injuries actually make up a large percentage of BBQ-related dental problems. Please Avoid it!

After you make it home safe and sound, make sure to finish the night with brushing and flossing. The few minutes you spend can fight off unnecessary dental work down the road. Also consider scheduling a cleaning if you are due. Regular dental cleanings help fight off cancer, protect your teeth, and fight off heart attacks/strokes.

Dr. Alina Bergan is ready to help make sure your Independence Day is memorable for the good times, not the bad, please call with any questions or concerns you may have. We can be reached at 800-223-0801.

A Father’s Day Dental Health Tip

Based on research, men are more likely than women to develop gum disease. Due to men being more apt to smoke, drink, clench or grind their teeth, and eat a poor diet. They are also less included to brush and floss. However, the good news is that this situation can be addressed when you work with your dentist on a plan of action. While you will need to eat healthier and cut down or quit smoking and drinking if you do, your dentist can provide hands-on instructions for proper brushing and flossing, in addition to creating custom-fit mouthpieces that protect your teeth while sleeping and when playing sports. Instead of getting your dad a tie, get him a new toothbrush. Get rid of dad’s old toothbrush in favor of a new one every 3-4 months, you will be well on your way to having many more Father's Day celebrations with a healthier and more attractive smile. Call us  to get your dad in for a checkup today at 800-223-0801, at our convenient Cedarhurst, NY office! 

We wish all dads a Happy and Healthy Father’s Day!

Keep Your Teeth Healthy this Summer with Simple Dental Care Tips

Let the summer pool parties, barbeques, summer camps, and vacations begin. Summer is a time to slow down, take a break and soak up a little extra time with family.

Summer is NOT the time to let your dental care routines go, which can often be the case when we are on vacation or away from our daily routines.  Dr. Alina Bergan D.D.S. wants to remind you to keep your teeth and gums healthy over the next few months by remembering these summer tips:

"Sip All Day, Get Decay"

As the temperature heats up, it can be tempting to sip on cold, sweet drinks like soda, juice, lemonade, Gatorade or Kool-Aid throughout the day. Prolonged exposure to the sugar in these beverages can really do a number on the enamel of your teeth.  Sugary drinks are one of the leading causes of tooth decay.

Here's how it works: the sugar in soft drinks, juice and other sweet beverages mixes with the bacteria in your mouth to create acid, which damages your teeth.  This damage happens every time you take another sip, creating an ongoing assault to the tooth enamel.  Of course it's best to avoid these sugary drinks all together, but at the very least try not to sip throughout the day.  And remember to rinse your mouth with water after drinking, brush and floss twice a day, and don't skip your regular dental checkups.

Remember to Brush and Floss When Away from Home

It can be easy for kids to fall out of the habit of brushing and flossing when they are away at summer camp, Grandma and Grandpa's or on a family vacation.  Remind your kids to pack their toothbrushes and to brush and floss at their usual times.  Make it fun with a brushing chart they can take with them.

Take Care of Your Braces

Unfortunately, many summer foods can be bad news for braces.  Barbeques and parties can make it very tempting to throw caution to the wind and dig into that corn on the cob, and much on some sticky candy.  But while it may be satisfying in the moment, a loose or broken bracket or wire will definitely cramp your summer style.  With just a little bit of effort, you can avoid making an extra trip to the orthodontist (cut that corn off the cob; avoid eating sticky candy).

Drink Water, and Lots of It!

Adults and especially kids can often get caught up in fun summer activities and forget to drink adequate water.  It's critically important to stay hydrated when the temperatures rise, and water is important for keeping your teeth healthy. Water helps keep your mouth clean and healthy by rinsing away food and boosting saliva levels in your mouth.  Saliva, which is actually 95% water, contains protein and minerals that fight acid and defend your teeth against tooth decay.

In Case of Dental Emergency...

Summer sports and activities can be risky for your teeth, which is why it's important to always wear a mouth guard during contact sports.  According to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), mouth guards prevent over 200,000 tooth, mouth and jaw injuries every year.  Not only can a mouth guard protect braces or other orthodontic appliances, they can also protect against mouth cuts, tooth damage/chipping and jaw injuries.

If you do run into a tooth injury, whether it's from slipping near the pool or falling off a bike, Dr. Alina Bergan D.D.S. is here for you in case of a dental emergency.  Keep our office number in easy reach in case you do need to schedule an emergency appointment, 800-223-0801.  Have fun this summer!