Making Dental Care Fun for Kids

Getting kids to consistently complete tasks like putting their laundry away or brushing and flossing can sometimes be difficult. But when it comes to oral care, consistency should always be a priority. Here at Maiden Lane Dental in New York, NY, we want to give parents tips for making dental care fun for kids!

Kids respond well to rewards. If it helps, you can create a star chart to keep track of their progress. If they brush and floss correctly for the day, let them choose a bedtime story or let them have extra time playing outside the next day. If they brush and floss the correct amount of times for a week, take them to a park.

Brush and floss with them. Kids really like to imitate, so this will make brushing and flossing fun for them. This will also show them the correct way to do things. Remember that small children may need help flossing until they are older.

Turn on some music! To make sure that kids are brushing for a full two minutes each time, turn on one of their favorite songs to time it. Ask them to brush to the beat or dance while they brush. Before they know it, the two minutes will be up.

Home oral care and dental visits work hand-in-hand for a healthy mouth. To schedule your family’s cleaning and examination appointments, call Maiden Lane Dental of New York, NY at (212) 509-4585 or visit our website, www.maidenlanedental.com. 

Do Not Forget to Brush Your Tongue!

Ever seen someone or heard of someone who brushes their tongue? Well, it is less talked about but just as important as brushing and flossing your teeth! At Maiden Lane Dental in New York, NY, we want our patients to know why brushing their tongue is important and how they can do it!

You should brush your tongue at least once per day. It does not matter if you brush it in the morning or at night, but just be sure to clean it at least once. It is good to do right after you brush your teeth, so it becomes part of your habit. Your tongue is able to hold millions of bacteria. Within the hair-like taste buds, bacteria can become trapped. See, a bacterial film forms on your tongue, just like plaque forms on your teeth. These bacteria can contribute to plaque build-up, cavities, and gum disease. One majorly noticeable effect of the build-up on your tongue is bad breath. Foul-smelling breath is due to bacteria, mostly on the tongue. So if you struggle with bad breath, brushing your tongue can help in a big way!

To clean your tongue, you can buy a tongue scraper or just use your toothbrush. Start at the way back of your tongue and brush forward to the tip. Use force but do not hurt your tongue. Brush it three to four times, or until you notice it becoming clean.  Rinse your toothbrush in between strokes.

For more dental hygiene info, be sure to contact us or visit our website! Our New York, NY office can be reached by phone at (212) 509-4585 or through our Maiden Lane Dental website, www.maidenlanedental.com. 

How to Calm Dental Fear in Kids

Dental phobia is quite common and it almost always begins out of a childhood fear. There are, however, ways to make kids feel more relaxed when going to the dentist. At Maiden Lane Dental here in New York, NY, we aim for all of our patients to have a positive and comfortable experience. That is why we want to give some tips to parents about easing their kids’ dental fears.

The earlier you start, the more familiar kids are with dental visits. Kids should start seeing the dentist when they grow in their first tooth, or by the age of one if that hasn’t happened yet. Regular cleaning and examinations from that point forward will help your kids feel at ease, since they know what to expect for each appointment.

For young kids who have never been to the dentist before or who do not remember going, you can play a “pretend dentist” game at home. Have them lean back in a recliner chair or a couch. Have them open wide and “examine” their teeth by counting each one. Explain that this is what the dentist will be doing and then when they leave, they will have very strong and healthy teeth.

Reward kids for good behavior at the dentist. Take them to a park afterwards, make their favorite dinner, or play a game with them. Be careful not to mention the reward before the visit though; this will make them think there is something to be afraid of that will require them to be good, which is not the case.

Kids and adults alike can actually begin to look forward to dental appointments! To schedule your child’s cleaning and examination, call Maiden Lane Dental of New York, NY at (212) 509-4585 or visit our website, www.maidenlanedental.com. 

Have a Happy and HEALTHY Halloween!

Halloween is the time for ghouls, goblins, jack-o-lanterns, and black cats, but it is not time for emergency dental appointments! The dentists here at Maiden Lane Dental in New York, NY want to give some tips and tricks for keeping good dental health during this candy-filled holiday!

Sticky candies like gum, taffy, and caramel are known for pulling out loose fillings and dental crowns. If you have a dental crown, recent fillings, or even braces, it is smart to stay away from these types of sticky candies. That includes those caramel apples on sticks!

Sugary and sour candies are delicious, but try to limit the amount you eat every day. With all of that candy collected from trick-or-treating (or left over from passing it out), it is tempting to snack on it all day. However, picking a limit and sticking to it will help out your oral health. In addition, make sure to pay extra attention while brushing and flossing. Acidic candies (sour candy) in particular can wear down tooth enamel, so it is best to wait at least thirty minutes after eating to brush. This allows enamel softened by acid to re-harden before you brush.

Make sure you have a howling-good time this Halloween by taking good oral care! To schedule a cleaning and examination with Maiden Lane Dental of New York, NY, call our office at (212) 509-4585 or visit our website, www.maidenlanedental.com. 

Pregnancy and Oral Health

Brushing your teeth and flossing every day is very important for anyone, but during pregnancy, a good oral hygiene routine becomes even more important. Due to the changes a pregnant woman is going through, oral health can be affected. At Maiden Lane Dental here in New York, NY, we want to help our pregnant patients take the best possible care of their oral health for themselves and their babies.

All of the hormonal changes that a pregnancy brings about can take a toll on oral health, if it is allowed to. During pregnancy, the gums become more sensitive to plaque, therefore it is recommended to brush and floss extra carefully. If you start noticing red, irritated gums, but may be a sign of pregnancy gingivitis. Gum sensitivity should go away after the baby is born, but you still want to take care of pregnancy gingivitis so that it does not turn into a more serious form of gum disease.

Many women are wondering if it is safe to see the dentist while pregnant. The answer is yes. You should absolutely still go for your routine cleaning and examinations, or more frequently if you are noticing signs of irritated gums. However, it is best to avoid any dental work that can wait until after the baby is born. There is no need to put added stress on the mother. Dental emergency procedures, however are recommended because it is better to have a safe and healthy mouth than one that could cause an infection.

Remember to mention to your dentist if you are pregnant. For more dental hygiene tips, contact Maiden Lane Dental of New York, NY by calling (212) 509-4585 or by visiting our website, www.maidenlanedental.com. 

The Importance of Replacing Missing Teeth

Replacing missing teeth has a very important purpose. It may seem like an obvious answer, but it does more than help you chew again. At Maiden Lane Dental of New York, NY, we want our patients to know why it is so important to replace missing teeth.

When a tooth falls out or is extracted, over time, the jawbone that used to hold the tooth will start to deteriorate. This, along with the open space can cause the other teeth to shift toward that opening. It creates movement in the mouth along with more gaps as teeth tend to space out. This can change your bite, your chewing ability, and can create hard-to-reach areas for your toothbrush.

When multiple teeth are missing, a large part of the jaw can deteriorate and begin to change the shape of your jaw and your facial structure. This can make someone appear older than they are.

Replacing teeth as soon as possible makes sure that the jaw does not deteriorate. However, there are still great options available for those who have been missing one or more teeth for a longer time. At our New York, NY dental practice, we have available dental implants, dental bridges, and dentures.

If you are ready to enjoy eating again, regain your ability to speak clearly, and have confidence in your smile, schedule an appointment with us for a consultation. To schedule with Maiden Lane Dental in New York, NY, call our office at (212) 509-4585 or visit our website, www.maidenlanedental.com. 

Plaque and Tartar

You know that brushing and flossing your teeth is important for removing plaque. But do you know exactly what plaque is and why it needs to be removed? Maiden Lane Dental of New York, NY wants to inform our patients about plaque and tartar so our patients understand the importance of removing it.

Plaque is a thin film of bacteria that form on your teeth and sticks there. It forms just hours after brushing and flossing, which is why it is important to brush two or three times per day, especially before bed. This is also why it is important that you floss every day.

When plaque is not removed, it can start to weaken the enamel on your teeth. Weakened enamel forms cavities. Decayed teeth can lead to gum disease and infections, which are a lot tougher to deal with. Plaque can also turn to tartar, a hardened form which can only be removed by a dentist. Plaque and tartar together irritate gums and if left untreated, can cause the gums to recede. Receded gums form deep pockets that collect bacteria; making clearing up the infection more difficult.

To keep plaque and tartar away, brush once in the morning and once at night. If you can, fit in a third time in the middle of the day. Also be sure to floss every day. To schedule a cleaning with Maiden Lane Dental in our New York, NY office, call us at (212) 509-4585 or visit our website, www.maidenlanedental.com.