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A Guide to Pediatric At-Home Oral Care | Central Park West Dentist

A child’s smile is a precious thing, and as parents, it’s our responsibility to ensure it sparkles with good oral health. Establishing proper dental care habits early in life sets the foundation for a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. Here’s a comprehensive guide to pediatric at-home oral care to help you nurture those bright smiles.

1. Start Early:

The journey to good oral health begins even before your child’s first tooth appears. Wipe your baby’s gums with a soft, damp cloth after feedings to remove bacteria. As teeth emerge, switch to a small, soft-bristled toothbrush designed for infants.

2. Choose the Right Toothpaste:

When your child reaches the age of two, introduce a fluoride toothpaste in a pea-sized amount. Ensure they spit out excess toothpaste, as swallowing too much fluoride can lead to fluorosis. Make brushing a fun activity to encourage regularity.

3. Establish a Routine:

Consistency is key. Encourage a routine of brushing teeth twice a day, in the morning and before bedtime. This helps instill good habits early and makes oral care a natural part of their daily routine.

4. Make it Fun:

Turn brushing into an enjoyable activity by using colorful, child-friendly toothbrushes and toothpaste with appealing flavors. Play their favorite music or set a timer to make sure they brush for the recommended two minutes.

5. Lead by Example:

Children often imitate their parents, so let them see you prioritize oral health. Brush your teeth together, turning it into a bonding experience. This not only reinforces the importance of dental care but also creates positive associations.

6. Monitor Diet:

Limit sugary snacks and beverages, as they contribute to tooth decay. Encourage a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and dairy products that support healthy teeth and gums.

7. Regular Dental Check-ups:

Schedule regular visits to the pediatric dentist for check-ups and cleanings. Early detection of any dental issues can prevent more significant problems down the road.

In conclusion, pediatric at-home oral care is a vital component of a child’s overall health and well-being. By starting early, making it enjoyable, and setting a consistent routine, you can ensure your child grows up with a beautiful, healthy smile that lasts a lifetime.

If you have questions or would like to learn more, give us a call or make an appointment today with Dr. Schnall at 212-247-7059 or visit our website at www.philipschnalldmd.com.

Dr. Philip Schnall proudly serves Central Park West and all surrounding areas.

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Halloween Habits to Maintain Your Tiny Human’s Smile | Central Park West Dentist

When Halloween comes around, as parents it is important to teach our children to take care of their teeth to instill good dental habits through life. After all, there are lots of sugary sweets available to damage a tiny human smile, so staying on top of your child’s smile is important on this haunted night. Now, there’s no reason to deny children the enjoyment of Halloween candy, but it’s important to supervise them to ensure that their Halloween is enjoyed in a way that keeps their teeth safe.

Use Halloween as a way to teach children about moderation – by teaching children to eat a moderate number of treats, you’ll encourage them to practice moderation in their daily lives, including other sugary foods they’ll encounter year-round such as sweet juices and starch heavy breads. Allow your children to choose the candy they want to eat, but set a limit on the number of pieces, and remove the extras – they can be saved for a future day, frozen for later, thrown away, or donated.

While sugar does promote decay, the effect of sugar is not instant. If children eat candy for a short time period, and then brush their teeth a short time later, the impact of the sugar is fairly minimal. For that reason, allow children to eat candy during a fixed time – rather than an all-day feast, they’ll have a fixed window for candy. This allows them to prioritize their candy enjoyment, minimizes the chances that they’ll consume far too much, and by following treats with brushing, helps prevent cavities.

Focus on fun, but effective, tooth brushing. Children often need stimulation beyond simple health to brush regularly and sufficiently, so swap toothbrushes every few months, and give your children the opportunity to choose.

If you have questions or concerns about the effects of Halloween candy on your teeth, make an appointment today with Dr. Schnall at 212-247-7059 or visit our website at www.philipschnalldmd.com.

Dr. Philip Schnall proudly serves Central Park West and all surrounding areas.

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Cavity Prevention: Your Guide to Halloween Candy | New York Dentist

It’s that time of year again, folks – the spookiest night of the year. And we are all prepared for those tiny ghosts and goblins to haunt our houses, looking for tasty treats. But before you head out for candy in that plastic pumpkin, keep these tips in mind to maintain a healthy smile:

Candy corn. Even though candy corn is a Halloween candy trademark, it is one of the worst Halloween candies for your teeth because of the high amount of sugar, which can lead to tooth decay if neglected.

Caramel apple lollipops. Caramel apple suckers are also a huge symbol of Halloween, but they are extremely bad for your teeth. Not only do they have a caramel coating that can get stuck in your teeth, but they also have a high amount of sugar that can cause tooth decay.

Chewy candy. Chewy candy like Starburst and gummies can hit the spot sometimes. And while some are made with fruit juice, they can stick in the crevices of your teeth, unable to be removed by your toothbrush alone. 

Filled chocolates. Candy bars are one of the most popular items to give out on Halloween, but chocolates filled with caramel, cream, or coconut are bad for your teeth. They stick to your teeth like chewy candy, allowing bacteria to feed on it and cause tooth decay. 

As you indulge in those Halloween sweets, make sure to give your teeth a quick brushing afterwards. And if you don’t have a toothbrush handy, give your teeth a quick rinse until you get home to help prevent cavities. In fact, if you have little ones, make this a family affair. Crank on the tune “Monster Mash” and brush your teeth together!

If you have questions or concerns about Halloween candy, make an appointment today with Dr. Schnall at 212-247-7059 or visit our website at www.philipschnalldmd.com.

Dr. Philip Schnall proudly serves New York and all surrounding areas.

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A Parent’s Guide to Halloween | New York Dentist

Things may be a little different this Halloween, especially when it comes to these new quarantine rules. Nonetheless, there are some things that will remain the same, and unfortunately, they revolve around sugar. Halloween brings with it some of the sweetest treats of all the holidays. Yes, Halloween isn’t exactly fun for your teeth. According to a study, the average child consumes between 3,700 to 7,000 calories worth of Halloween treats. That’s not even considering how much sugar is ingested. This is why it is very important to keep up with daily dental hygiene. To help your family stay healthy and safe, here is a list of tips you may want to take this Halloween:

Fill ‘em up. Sit down as a family and have a nutritious and filling meal before your Halloween outing so they aren’t as tempted to eat a lot of your candy afterwards.

Work it out. It may not be your typical trick-or-treating, but keeping a safe distance from other kids will make this a safe Halloween season. Make this a family affair and encourage them with a friendly competition for who can take the most steps or be the most active while collecting candy.

Pick and choose. Offer your children to have 1-3 pieces of candy per day, starting with lunch, or after dinner as a treat. Once they’re done, it’s time to brush.

Give it away. When your children get back home from trick-or-treating, have your kids put their candy into two piles: one they want to keep and one they don’t. Donate the remain candy to a local senior citizen center, or food pantry. Spread the Halloween love all around.

If you have questions or concerns about Halloween candy, make an appointment today with Dr. Philip Schnall at 212-247-7059 or visit our website at www.philipschnalldmd.com.

Dr. Schnall proudly serves New York and all surrounding areas.

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A Healthy Way to Celebrate Halloween | New York Dentist

When it comes to Halloween, it seems like all the rules fly out the window. Not only is trickery allowed, but the treats are some of the sweetest of all the holidays. Yes, Halloween isn’t exactly fun for your teeth. According to a study, the average child consumes between 3,700 to 7,000 calories worth of Halloween treats. That’s not even considering how much sugar is ingested. This is why it is very important to keep up with daily dental hygiene. To help your family stay healthy and safe, here is a list of tips you may want to take this Halloween:

Fill ‘em up. Sit down as a family and have a nutritious and filling meal before your Halloween outing so they aren’t as tempted to eat a lot of your candy afterwards.

Work it out. It’s always encouraged that children walk from house to house instead of driving them around. Encourage them with a friendly competition for who can take the most steps or be the most active while collecting candy.

Pick and choose. Offer your children to have 1-3 pieces of candy per day, starting with lunch, or after dinner as a treat. Once they’re done, it’s time to brush.

Give it away. When your children get back home from trick-or-treating, have your kids put their candy into two piles: one they want to keep and one they don’t. Donate the remain candy to a local senior citizen center, food pantry. Spread the Halloween love all around.

If you have questions or concerns about Halloween dental tips, make an appointment today with Dr. Schnall at 212-247-7059 or visit our website at www.philipschnalldmd.com.

Dr. Schnall proudly serves New York and all surrounding areas.

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Seal It with a Kiss | New York Dentist

When it comes to dental hygiene, we do our best to make sure our teeth are healthy and strong by brushing, flossing, eating well and visiting the dentist regularly. So, when you find out that you have developed a cavity, we tend to question why it happened. Unfortunately, there are ways you can develop cavities that have nothing to do with how well you brush your teeth. But worry not, there is a way to prevent cavities from happening – dental sealants.

Dental sealant is a thin coating that is painted onto the crevices of your premolars and molars in order to prevent cavities from forming in the areas it is difficult for toothbrushes to reach. While it is available to everyone, dental sealants are a great way to prevent cavities while your tiny human is learning to properly brush.

The process is quick, painless and economical, as sealants are less expensive than a filling. The tooth is cleaned and dried, then a low-acidic solution is applied so the sealant can adhere to the tooth. The sealant is painted onto the respective tooth and dried with a curing light. Start to finish, the process takes less than a minute. A minute to prevent cavities? It’s true!

Once the sealants have been applied, the upkeep is simple – look after your teeth like you would normally. Brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes, floss at least once, and swish some mouthwash around. You’ll be pleased to see a great report card at your next dental visit.

If you have questions or concerns about dental sealants, make an appointment today with Dr. Schnall at 212-247-7059 or visit our website at www.philipschnalldmd.com.

Dr. Schnall proudly serves New York and all surrounding areas.