The Tooth Truth

Here at Pediatric Dental Specialists, we consider dental health to be an integral part of overall good health. Our practice philosophy is to provide dental education and treatment, as well as orthodontics, for children, teens, and those with special healthcare needs. We believe that good dental health can instill a sense of well-being, provide a lifelong smile, and promote good overall health.

To that note, let’s talk about the truth about our teeth. Our bone and gum tissues are supported by our teeth. If this support is lost or is poorly aligned, then our bone and gums can begin to erode. If the teeth are properly aligned the bone and gums are less likely to erode.

Your teeth play an important role in digestion. Before your food ever enters your stomach, it has to be chewed by your teeth. This process is called mastication. The food has to be partially broken down before entering your stomach to be properly digested. Braces straighten your teeth and give you the alignment you need to properly chew your food. 

If you are concerned about your alignment, or simply have questions on how to improve your child’s dental health, let’s talk! Our caring team takes pride in providing exceptional care to patients of all ages. We also have links to great additional resources on our website. To access those links, click here.

I just got braces, now what?

At Pediatric Dental Specialists,  we believe you have taken the first step toward a healthier and more beautiful smile but you are probably wondering what comes next. The first week is the biggest period of adjustment, and there is a lot to learn in this short time. What to eat? How to brush?  No worries, in a very short time your braces will feel completely natural.

On the first day, your braces will probably feel sort of like a mouthful and it may take time to get used to them. By the second day, you may feel some soreness or discomfort.  If you are going to experience any discomfort, the second and third days are when it will happen. If you do experience discomfort it can be dealt with by taking an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as Tylenol.

If you have any questions or concerns our team of is here to help you! We're simply a phone call away at (562) 377-1375. You can also find more helpful information on our website by clicking here. 

December Charity of the Month - Action Against Hunger

For almost 40 years, across nearly 50 countries, Action Against Hunger has led the global fight against hunger. They enable people to provide for themselves, see their children grow up strong, and for whole communities to prosper. Constantly searching for more effective solutions, Action Against Hunger continuously shares their knowledge and expertise with the world while pushing for long-term change.

About 815 million people go to bed hungry every night, and one in three children in low- and middle-income countries suffers from chronic undernutrition. Action Against Hunger works not only to treat acutely undernourished children through a community-based approach, but also to improve child survival and prevent undernutrition by addressing its underlying causes. Their technical expertise is internationally renowned, due to their more than 35 years of operational experience in countries with the highest "burdens" of hunger. They’ve also developed revolutionary nutrition products and field testing treatment protocols that have become international best practice. Action Against Hunger aims to increase the number of children worldwide who are screened and treated for undernutrition and to build the capacity of local health systems to treat undernutrition. 

Each time you check-in at our office during the month of December, a donation is made to benefit this wonderful charity. All of us at Pediatric Dental Specialists thank you for your continued support. 

Thanksgiving Countdown!

It seems like the month of November has really flown by! Thanksgiving is just a week away and we’re all looking forward to time with family and friends – not to mention all of the delicious food! 

If you’re looking to add a new side dish or two to your Thanksgiving table this year, we’ve found two contenders that will not only look spectacular but might also become a new favorite for your family. Both of these would be perfect to bring to a potluck meal since they can both be assembled in advance and each takes less than 30 minutes to heat.  

Maple Cranberry Sweet Potatoes

• 4 lbs. sweet potatoes
• 1 cup maple syrup
• 1 ½ cups fresh cranberries
• 3 tbsp. butter
• 1 ½ tsp. salt

Place whole sweet potatoes in a large pot with just enough water to cover and one teaspoon of salt. Heat to a rapid boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer covered about 30 minutes or just until potatoes are fork-tender. Drain. Set aside until cool enough to handle.

Meanwhile, in a saucepan, heat maple syrup to boiling on high. Reduce heat to medium, and boil gently for 10 to 15 minutes or until reduced to 1/2 cup. Stir in cranberries, butter, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook just until cranberries pop, typically about 5 minutes.

When ready to bake:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut cooled sweet potatoes into 1-inch-thick slices and arrange in shallow 3-quart ceramic or glass baking dish, overlapping slices if necessary. Spoon maple-cranberry syrup evenly over potatoes and bake uncovered for 20 minutes or until hot.

Green Bean Cheddar Casserole

• 3 lbs. green beans
• 2 cups stale bread
• 3 tbsp. olive oil
• 3 green onions, sliced
• 3 tbsp. cornstarch
• 2 ½ cups milk
• ¼ tsp. nutmeg
• 1 cup cheddar cheese
• ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
• Salt & Pepper to taste

Bring a large saucepot of salted water to boil. Add green beans to the boiling water and cook for 2 minutes. Drain well and set aside.

In a food processor, pulse bread into coarse crumbs. Transfer to a bowl and add olive oil and sliced green onions. Toss to combine and set aside.

In a saucepan, whisk cornstarch and 1/2 cup milk until all cornstarch is dissolved. Add nutmeg and a little salt and pepper. Heat slowly over medium heat, and slowly whisk in remaining 2 cups of milk. Allow sauce to boil for 2 minutes, keep whisking! Reduce heat to low, and add in cheeses one handful at a time, waiting until cheese melts before adding the next handful. Once all cheese has been added and the sauce is smooth, remove from heat. Toss with green beans until well coated with sauce. Transfer mixture to a 3-quart baking dish until ready to bake.

When ready to bake:

Sprinkle reserved breadcrumb mixture over green beans. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes or until breadcrumbs are golden brown.

Recipe Swaps:

·         To save time, purchase fresh green beans in a microwaveable bag and skip the boiling all together!

·         Use your favorite store-bought breadcrumbs to save additional time in lieu of making them yourself. Panko breadcrumbs are also an excellent substitution, adding even more crunch to the topping of this dish.

We hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! All of us at Pediatric Dental Specialists are thankful for each and every patient we’ve had the pleasure of serving. Now, what are you going to make with all of the leftovers?

Out With The Old & In With The New

With cold and flu season starting, germs seem to be lurking everywhere! While it’s difficult to avoid catching the office cold or flu bug, you can help keep your number one oral hygiene accessory in great shape by replacing your toothbrush regularly. Toothbrushes help keep your teeth and mouth clean, but how long should you a keep a toothbrush? It is recommended that you switch out that old toothbrush for a fresh new one every 3 to 4 months, and directly after any cold or flu. Replacing your toothbrush is essential since they are constantly being exposed to germs and bacteria. If you notice the bristles of your toothbrush have become worn, that is a clear sign that you need a new toothbrush. People who wear braces will likely need to replace their toothbrushes frequently, as braces break down and fracture bristles which makes the toothbrush lose its effectiveness.

It's helpful to keep a pack of toothbrushes available in the house at all times for easy replacement. You may be thinking "My toothbrush is fine, I have it broken in just the way I like it”. While that could be true, did you know that your old toothbrush could actually be harming your mouth?

3 Reasons to Change Out Your Old Toothbrush

1.     Bacteria - Your toothbrush is a tool for removing bacteria from your teeth…but it doesn’t actually kill bacteria. Some of the bacteria from your teeth stay on your toothbrush after you are done brushing. Now, this isn’t a problem initially, but imagine three to four months of bacteria build up on your toothbrush. That old bacteria ridden toothbrush is in your mouth at least twice a day…yuck.

2.     Bristles - Like any tool, a toothbrush wears down. Worn bristles are tough on your enamel and can wear it away over time. Not only that… an old, worn toothbrush can be up to 95 percent less effective at removing plaque.

3.     Illness - Always change your toothbrush after you’ve been sick, even if it’s not “technically” time to switch out your toothbrush. Germs and bacteria in your mouth require brushing twice a day, every day.

If you feel like changing your toothbrush every three months is wasteful, we’ve got a solution! Put that old toothbrush to work doing odd jobs around the house. Old toothbrushes are great for cleaning around facet fixtures and tile grout. They can even be used to clean tools, computer keyboards, and tennis shoes! Make sure to mark your calendar as a reminder to replace your toothbrush at least every 3 to 4 months. If you need a few tips on keeping your smile in tip-top shape, make sure to ask at your next appointment with us! 

Check-In 4 Charity: Operation Jump Start

We hope you all had a wonderful Halloween! It seems like just yesterday that the school year began, and now here we are with Thanksgiving just around the corner! We’re so thankful for the opportunity we have this month to support another wonderful charity, Operation Jump Start (OJS).

OJS reaches out to communities within a variety of Long Beach neighborhoods to create awareness of higher education opportunities. With an incredible five years of extensive and involved support beginning in the eighth grade, students have access to a team of mentors, tutors, and counselors to help guide them toward both a productive and rewarding path forward.

Since 1994, OJS has provided academic support and mentoring to low-resourced, high-potential students within Long Beach Unified School District. OJS serves between 250-350 youth annually ranging from 13 to 23 years old. 

Like OJS, Pediatric Dental Specialists believes that our community thrives when we work together for good. Each time you check-in at our office on Facebook during the month of November, we will make a donation to Operation Jump Start. If you would like to learn more about OJS, click here to head to their website. 

Four Flavorful Fall Smoothies

With Fall in full swing and with it the hectic holidays just a step further down the road, we thought we’d put together a list of a few fall-themed smoothies that can serve as a great (and easy!) breakfast or after school snack. 

Pumpkin Banana Smoothie
If you’re a pumpkin fan, this smoothie is for you! While pumpkin is a trendy item, especially this time of year, what you might not know is pumpkin has both fiber and protein which makes for a healthy and filling smoothie.

• 2 tablespoons canned pure pumpkin
• 5 tablespoons milk
• 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
• 1 banana, frozen
• ½ teaspoon honey
• ⅛ teaspoon cinnamon
• pinch of nutmeg
• ¼ cup ice

Helpful tip: If you’re finding that you have several over ripened bananas that you aren’t able to eat in time, toss them in a freezer bag! Frozen bananas are the perfect addition to smoothies and help make preparation even easier for those hectic weekday mornings.

Cranberry, Pear, & Orange Smoothie

That’s quite a mouthful, and trust us, you’ll love this nutrient-packed smoothie! It chocked full of filling fiber from the pear, Vitamin C from the orange, and antioxidants from the cranberries. If you’re using whole cranberries for the first time, this smoothie might be a bit tart! Add a bit of extra honey to tone down the tart zing. 

• ¾ cup cranberries (fresh or frozen)
• 1 pear, core removed & chopped
• 1 small orange
• ½ cup low-fat plain yogurt (or Greek yogurt)
• 1 teaspoon honey

Feeling adventurous? Add in any of the items below to
give this smoothie even MORE flavor!

• A handful of fresh spinach
• 1 frozen or fresh banana
• A few frozen strawberries, blueberries, mango, or pineapple
• 1 teaspoon of chia seeds

Caramel Apple Smoothie
This smoothie is a great alternative to the traditional sticky treat and delivers all of the delicious flavor! Smoothie staples Greek yogurt and almond milk add filling protein and frozen banana adds plenty of sweetness. 

• 1 cup almond milk
• 1 frozen banana
• ½ cup vanilla Greek yogurt
• ½ cup apple applesauce
• ¼ tsp caramel extract
• Caramel sauce & cinnamon for topping

Recipe swap: This recipe is very adaptable - the trick is to use what you have! Experiment with different types of milk and yogurt. If you don’t have caramel extract on hand, add a bit of caramel sauce right to the blender! Many of the applesauce pouches that are so popular with kids come in fun flavors too. The options are endless, have some fun with it!

Green Monster Smoothie

When you are ready to move on from using spinach in your green smoothies, Swiss chard is a great next step. Swiss chard has a delicate flavor and softer leaves that blend well in most blenders. It is actually in the same family (amaranthaceae) as spinach and beets!

• 2-3 cups Swiss chard, destemmed and roughly chopped
• 2-3 ripe bananas, fresh or frozen
• 1 tart green apple, chopped
• 1 medium whole grapefruit, peeled and chopped
• 1 cup white cranberry juice or water
• 2 cups ice

This recipe makes plenty, so freeze individual portions 

for those extra hectic mornings!

Spotlight on This Months Check-In 4 Charity: Breast Cancer Research Foundation

This month with your help, we are supporting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

The mission of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) is to prevent and cure breast cancer by advancing the world's most promising research. The only way to achieve this goal is through research. Research is revolutionizing our understanding of cancer. Research is leading us to the core of this insidious disease. Research is transforming lives every day as women and men get the help they need. They believe research—and research alone—has the power to bring an end to cancer. They have more than 275 researchers urgently working on solutions to one of the world’s greatest problems.

Since their founding in 1993 by Evelyn H. Lauder, BCRF has raised more than half a billion dollars for lifesaving research. Through a unique and streamlined grants program, they seek out the brightest minds in science and medicine and give them the necessary resources to pursue their best ideas. As a result, researchers are able to make discoveries and design new approaches to address all aspects of breast cancer—and do so in record time.

Breast cancer knows no age, gender, or race. As the most common cancer in women worldwide and the second most common cancer overall, it remains a fact of life. The thousands of women and men suffering from breast cancer today depend on us. No institution can conquer this disease alone. Together, we can. 

JOIN US IN SUPPORTING THE BREAST CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION

Pediatric Dental Specialists of Long Beach takes part in the Check-In 4 Charity program. Whenever you check-in at our office on Facebook, a donation will be generated for the charity of the month. Be sure to check-in at your next appointment and together we can give back to this amazing charity during the month of October.

Spotlight on This Months Check-In 4 Charity: Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach

Just like that the warm summer months are winding down and September is here! For all of us at Pediatric Dental Specialists of Long Beach, this also means a new charity of the month! With your help we will be supporting the Boys and Girls Clubs of Long Beach.

ABOUT THE CHARITY
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Long Beach, comprised of 13 distinct facilities across the city, has been helping underprivileged youth reach their full personal and academic potential since 1939. One of the oldest, most successful youth organizations in the area, the BGCLB has served more than 220,000 youth, ages 6-18 in its 76-year history. Its mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need it most, to reach their full potential as caring, responsible, and productive citizens. Their proven impact supports all aspects of positive youth development: Academic Success, Good Character & Citizenship, and Healthy Lifestyles.

JOIN US IN SUPPORTING THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF LONG BEACH

Pediatric Dental Specialists of Long Beach takes part in the Check-In 4 Charity program. Whenever you check-in at our office on Facebook, a donation will be generated for the charity of the month. Be sure to check-in at your next appointment and together we can give back to this amazing charity during the month of September.

August Charity Of The Month

August is here! For many, this means the end of summer vacation and back to school, but for Pediatric Dental Specialist of Long Beach, this means a new charity of the month. This month, with your help, we will be supporting Doctors Without Borders. 

ABOUT THE CHARITY
Doctors Without Borders is an international humanitarian organization founded in 1971. This charity is known to respond to emergencies around the world, saving and impacting lives daily. The funds allow the organization to impact those in need of help; they go where patients are. They generally work in conflict zones after natural disasters, epidemics, long-term care settings, and more. Funding is a crucial part of this charity as the crew works on so many projects worldwide, we want to help.

JOIN US IN SUPPORTING DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS
Pediatric Dental Specialists is a Check-in 4 Charity Member. That means, whenever you check-in at our office on Facebook, a donation will be generated for the charity of the month. Check-in at your next appointment and together we can join forces to give back to this amazing charity during the month of August.

The Truth About Your Child’s Tooth Decay

Did you know tooth decay is the most common childhood disease? According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, 3 out of 5 children are affected by tooth decay. This disease may seem insignificant to some parents, but Pediatric Dental Specialists urge you to take it seriously to avoid more severe oral health problems in the future. With tooth decay being 5 times more common than asthma, we decided to help educate parents more on how you can help your child regarding this matter.

HOW CAN YOU HELP YOUR CHILD?

Encourage good dental habits.
Be sure to practice and teach your children healthy dental habits that will last them a lifetime. Make sure you emphasize daily brushing and show your child how to brush with a soft-bristled brush. Daily flossing is another important factor. Flossing should begin as soon as teeth touch each other. Parents should help floss children’s teeth until they are at least eight years old.

Make flossing fun.
The trick to making flossing a habit is to make it fun for kids to do. Here is one way to do that:

1) Purchase a “flosser friend” at the nearest retail store. This is a fun and functional flossing tool that holds children’s floss and promotes healthy habits.

2) Fill the flosser keeper with fruity children’s floss.

3) Place the flosser keeper in an easily accessible location around the bathroom sink.

Cut down on sweets and sticky foods.
Sugary foods and drinks are the biggest culprits for causing tooth decay. Avoid extremely sugary snacks and candy that can stick to teeth and lead to plaque buildup.

Visit Pediatric Dental Specialists in Long Beach regularly.
Make sure you are bringing your child in for regular cleanings and check-ups. Children should be seen by a pediatric dentist for a checkup by age 1 and start regular clings at age 3.

Protect Those Precious Smiles

Almost any child would say their favorite time of year is summer. Being out of school, hanging out with their friends, swimming and playing outside is what all kids dream of.  While the summer season is almost over, it can still be a great time for children to face some summer hazards, particularly for their teeth. Physical activity, tempting sweets, and lax rules can all combine to leave your child with a tooth problem they would rather avoid.

At Pediatric Dental Specialists we want every child to enjoy what's left of their summer so we offer some tips for parents on how best to protect those precious smiles.

Go Easy on the Sweets
During summer your child will have no shortage of tempting treats. The ice cream truck, picnics, birthday parties and lazy days will all have your child craving a popsicle, soft drink or candy bar. But as we all know, sugar is the number one cause of cavities and the more sugar your children eat the more likely they are to develop cavities. Monitor the amount of sweets your children eat during the summer and put a cap on excessive sugar consumption.

Mouth Guards
If your children are going to be participating in a recreational activity, such as baseball, soccer or water polo it is very important that you protect their teeth with mouth guards. Sports are great for physical exercise but can be dangerous. Foul balls, elbows, and collisions happen all the time and if your child's teeth are not protected with a strong mouth guard he could easily have a tooth knocked out. Even if the sport seems easy on the physical activity, wearing a mouth guard is good practice and will greatly reduce the chance of tooth damage.

Stick to the Rules
Summer can be an easy time for forgetting. Being on vacation and not having to abide by a strict school schedule can make kids forget a lot. During the summer it is important as a parent to reinforce proper oral hygiene including brushing teeth twice a day, using floss and eating healthy. You don't want to ruin your child's summer but with gentle and persistent persuasion you can ensure they take care of their teeth and avoid any complications.

For more information about keeping your child's teeth safe and healthy, click here to visit our website. 

When To Bring A Baby To The Dentist

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommend that you take your child to the dentist within six months after the first tooth erupts, or by his or her's first birthday, whichever comes first.

In the meantime, your primary healthcare provider should take a look at your baby's teeth (if he or she has any) and apply fluoride varnish every three to six months. Risk factors include a family history of cavities and poor dental health in the mother during pregnancy.

When you are ready to bring your child to the Pediatric Dental Specialists in Long Beach, be sure to communicate what fluoride treatments your baby has already received at the doctor's office.

If you can't afford dental care for your baby, consider getting in touch with your local health department to ask about resources.

What is the iTero Scanner?

It’s time to say goodbye to those messy molds associated with beginning orthodontic treatment and say hello to the iTero Intraoral Scanner. The iTero Intraoral Scanner is a more comfortable procedure that can capture an extremely accurate digital impression of teeth within minutes. Once complete, we can use this model to start your orthodontic treatment and help you get the smile you’ve always wanted. Also, the 3D digital impression can be used with all Invisalign related services.

One of the fun parts about the iTero scanner is that you can actually see your own mouth on the monitor and see what can be done to it by the different views and manipulation of digital images. You can even have the images sent to your personal email.

Our office believes the incorporation of scanner technology in this regard is the present and future of dentistry in all forms, and orthodontics in particular.

If you’re interested in beginning orthodontic treatment for your child or teen, contact Pediatric Dental Specialists of Long Beach today at (562) 377-1375.

Meet Dr. Cervantes

Dr. Gabriela Cervantes

We are pleased to introduce the newest addition to our qualified team, Dr. Gabriela Cervantes. Dr. Cervantes joins our practice with more than 6 years of experience practicing dentistry in the Los Angeles area, after graduating from the University of California, San Francisco -School of Dentistry in 2008.

Dr. Cervantes was born and raised in Orange County, CA. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from California State University, Long Beach with a B.S. in Biology.  She went on to complete her dental degree (DDS) and graduated from the University of California, San Francisco -School of Dentistry in 2008. She completed her General Practice Residency at Harbor- UCLA Medical Center where she was “Resident of the Year”.  After practicing for six years, she was blessed to find her true passion and received her pediatric dental specialty training at the UCLA-School of Dentistry.

Dr. Cervantes is glad to be back in Long Beach serving the community. She shares our practice philosophy of providing comprehensive pediatric dentistry through working with each patient to meet the individual’s distinctive oral health goals. She brings enthusiasm, poise, and a kind, gentle nature with her to our practice. Her interests include singing, cooking, hiking, and biking with her husband and daughter. We are confident you will find Dr. Cervantes’ personality and style to complement our friendly and warm dental team.

The addition of Dr. Cervantes is exciting to us, as it allows us to better serve our patients. In late July, when Dr. Cervantes begins seeing patients, we will be expanding our schedule to provide patients with even more pediatric dental appointment options. Not only will our appointment options expand, but in the near future, Dr. Cervantes will be providing hospital dentistry at Miller Children’s Hospital in Long Beach to serve children with special health care needs who are unable to receive treatment in a dental office.

Please join us in welcoming her to our practice. We trust that the addition of Dr. Cervantes will allow us to not only meet but exceed your expectations. Should you have any questions regarding this important announcement, please do not hesitate to contact us. Thank you for your support.

We Offer Invisalign Teen

Pediatric Dental Specialists in Long Beach is excited to offer Invisalign Teen, a clear alternative to braces that’s just for teens! With Invisalign Teen, we are able to straighten your teen’s teeth without the hassle, discomfort, and embarrassment of traditional braces.

Invisalign Teen’s clear aligners are virtually invisible. What’s more, they are removable, which means your child is free to eat anything they choose, as well as brush and floss with ease! Best of all, Invisalign Teen uses no wires or metal to straighten your teen’s teeth.

Invisalign Teen aligners are made from a lightweight plastic material and fit precisely on the teeth. Invisalign Teen has become a popular treatment here at Pediatric Dental Specialists because it helps our younger patients achieve a straight, beautiful smile without their friends noticing.

Our team is aware that most teens today have a busy lifestyle, and sometimes, they tend to lose things, including their retainers or aligners. But with Invisalign Teen, if your child happens to lose an aligner, let Dr. Planells, Dr. Cortez, Dr. Sanchez and our team know as soon as possible and we will have the aligner replaced.

For more information on Invisalign Teen, please give us a call at our convenient Long Beach, CA office today!

What Is The Difference Between A Dentist And Pediatric Dentist?

Pediatric Dental Specialist in Long Beach is not your typical dentist office. Our pediatric dentists specialize in the unique needs of each child. Just like taking your child to the pediatrician for healthcare, pediatric dentists complete two to three years of specialty training in children’s teeth after dental school.

At Pediatric Dental Specialists, our doctors and staff are highly trained to:

1. Teach your child proper oral hygiene habits 
2. Help with the effects from thumb sucking and pacifier use 
3. Identify spacing issues early on that may need orthodontic treatment later 

And much, much more!

At Pediatric Dental Specialists, we set the foundation of your child’s oral and overall health from a young age. It’s our goal to provide early, preventative dental care for your child to ensure a healthy smile that lasts well into adulthood. For more information about Pediatric Dental Specialists in Long Beach, give us a call at 562-377-1375 or click here to visit our website.

Keep Those Smiles Safe This Spring

Spring break has passed and once again our patients are ready to begin the spring sports season! April is National Facial Protection month and because many of our patients are active athletes, the staff at Pediatric Dental Specialists encourages spring sports safety. Whether you’re an athlete, coach, or parent we want to remind everyone to play it safe during organized sports to help prevent serious facial injuries that can take the fun out of the game.

Here are 4 pieces of equipment you can add to your sports bag to stay safe during the sports season.

1. MOUTH GUARDS. A mouth guard is less expensive than an injury, and not painful to your mouth or wallet. Keep your smile safe and prevent your orthodontic appliances from injury by habitually wearing a mouth guard during sports.

2. HELMETS. Helmets can greatly prevent damage to the head so be sure to always wear one when necessary.

3. PROTECTIVE EYEWEAR. Keep your 20/20 vision with sports eyewear that will keep your vision clear and your game at its best.

4. FACE SHIELDS. If you are a hockey, football, or baseball player face shields can prevent severe damage to your face.

These are all great accessories to have when playing sports. This equipment can prevent impact and damage to your head and mouth, all while not interfering with your MVP skills on the field. For more information on mouth guards or how to keep your teeth safe during sports, contact Pediatric Dental Specialists in Long Beach.

We Support World Autism Month

Pediatric Dental Specialists is taking part in the world-wide support for Autism this month! If you’re unaware, April is WOLRD AUTISM MONTH, so we want to go full force with our patients to support the amazing charity Autism Speaks. 

What is Autism Speaks?

Autism Speaks is a charity with the goal to increase the public understanding and acceptance of autism spectrum disorder.  Aside from the amazing outcome of this charity, they are famous for their “Light It Up Blue” campaign. Wear blue to your appointments in April to show your support for Autism Speaks.

What is Autism? The following information is not meant to diagnose or treat and should not take the place of personal consultation, as appropriate, with a qualified healthcare professional.

Autism is defined as, "a mental condition, present from early childhood, characterized by difficulty in communicating and forming relationships with other people and in using language and abstract concepts."

Facts about autism according to Autism Speaks

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates autism’s prevalence as 1 in 68 children in the United States. This includes 1 in 42 boys and 1 in 189 girls.
• An estimated 50,000 teens with autism become adults – and lose school-based autism services – each year.
• Around one third of people with autism remain nonverbal.
• Around one third of people with autism have an intellectual disability.
• Certain medical and mental health issues frequently accompany autism. They include gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, seizures, sleep disturbances, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety and phobias.

How can you join us in supporting Autism Speaks?

Because Pediatric Dental Specialists is a check-in 4 charity member, you can show support for Autism speaks by checking-in on Facebook at our office. Each time you check-in participate in our donation to Autism Speaks in April. Another fun way to get involved is to wear blue at your April appointments! 

MI Paste & MI Paste Plus AVAILABLE HERE

We all know nutrients are important for your body, but did you know there are minerals that can help protect your teeth? The most popular mineral for your teeth is fluoride, but calcium and phosphate also offer several beneficial minerals for maintaining a healthy smile and your overall oral health.

What is MI Paste & MI Paste Plus?

Meet MI Paste & MI Paste Plus, a revolutionary product that benefits teeth with even more minerals than the average toothpaste. This unique topical tooth crème can be applied daily. Mi Paste Plus offers the same benefits of regular MI Paste, only it’s enhanced with fluoride.

More benefits on these products*:

• MI Paste and MI Paste Plus contain RECALDENT™ (CPP-ACP); Casein Phosphopeptide (CPP) are natural occurring molecules which are able to release calcium and phosphate ions and stabilize Amorphous Calcium Phosphate (ACP) 
• RECALDENT™ (CPP-ACP) is milk-derived with lactose content less than 0.01%* 
• MI Paste and MI Paste Plus are water-based, sugar-free topical tooth crèmes that come in five delicious flavors (melon, mint, strawberry, tutti-frutti and vanilla) 

MI Paste & MI Paste Plus is available at Pediatrics Dental Specialists- Long Beach! Watch this video for more information on this product.

*"MI Paste™ & MI Paste Plus™ Consumer Site." MI Paste™ & MI Paste Plus™ Consumer Site. N.p., 2017. Web. 23 Mar. 2017.

Questions To Remember At Your First Orthodontic Appointment

As you consider orthodontic care for your child, it is likely that several questions may naturally arise. Don’t be afraid to ask any questions you might have. The doctors and staff at Pediatric Dental Specialists are always here to help.

As several of you reading this are in the early stages of orthodontics, we thought it would be helpful to guide you through some important questions to ask at your child's first appointment for braces.

Here are just a few examples of questions you may want to ask at your consultation.

• Is there an estimated length of time that kids have to wear braces? 
• How can my child keep teeth clean with braces?
• How much should I expect to pay for treatment? What are the payment options? 
• Is it likely that my child will be wearing extra appliances in addition to braces to correct an overbite or other problems? 
• How often will my child be expected to come in for check-ups and other appointments?
• Are there specific foods my child will need to avoid when wearing braces? 
• Will braces prevent my child from playing sports or musical instruments? 
• Does getting braces hurt? Is there anything we can do to prevent or minimize pain? 

With answers to your questions and our amazing Pediatric Dental Specialists team on your side, you can be confident about any necessary orthodontic treatments for your child.

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Leave us a review on Google by clicking here. You will need a Google account to leave review. If you are not sure how to create a review. Click here to create a Google account, then come back and leave us a review!

GO HERE TO LEAVE A REVIEW: https://goo.gl/maps/GNeqwMZDLtS2

Help Us Grant Wishes This February

Join us this month in supporting the Make-A-Wish International Foundation when you check-in at our office. As most of you are aware, Pediatric Dental Specialists-Long Beach became a member of Check-in 4 Charity last month! This program allows us to turn your Facebook check-ins into something much more; donations. By joining us in this movement, it costs YOU absolutely NOTHING!

How does it work?

Every month, we will be working with different charities to turn your check-ins into donations. Each check-in amounts to a specific monetary amount paid by Pediatric Dental Specialists-Long Beach, and at the end of the month, we make a donation to the charity of the month after receiving your check-ins. It's simple. You check-in, we donate. 

#LBPDS200 Super Bowl Challenge!

CLICK HERE TO LIKE US ON FACEBOOK! To complete your entry, post your guess on our wall!

We Are Now A Check-In 4 Charity Member

Pediatric Dental Specialists-Long Beach is now a Check-in 4 Charity member! Check-in 4 Charity is a program for businesses such as ours to partner with our patients by getting them to check-in on Facebook.  Each check-in helps us generate donations for different charities every month. It is fun, easy, free for you to participate in, and allows us to work together with you to achieve the goal of donating monthly to charities.

January Charity Of The Month 

This month, we've decided to support the Children's Dental Health Clinic! This clinic is a non-profit that provides dental care and health education to children ages 0-21 in the greater Long Beach areas. All you have to do is check-in at Pediatric Dental Specialists-Long Beach to help us make a difference.