April is National Facial Protection Month

Pediatric Dental Specialists

The team at Pediatric Dental Specialists wants to remind our athletes to play it safe by wearing a mouth guard during recreational and organized sports.  

A mouth guard is an essential piece of athletic gear that should be part of your standard equipment from an early age. Mouth guards prevent injuries to the bone and tissues around the teeth. They also help prevent injuries to the lower jaw and temporomandibular joint in the jaw.

A properly fitted mouth guard may be especially important for people who wear braces. A blow to the face could damage the brackets or other fixed orthodontic appliances. A mouth guard also provides a barrier between the braces and your cheek or lips, which will help you avoid injuries to your gums and cheeks.

There are three types of mouth guards:

1. Stock mouth guards come ready to wear. They are inexpensive and can be bought at most sporting good stores and drug stores. However, little can be done to adjust their fit.

2. Boil and bite mouth guards can also be bought at many sporting goods stores and may offer a better fit than stock mouth guards. The "boil and bite" mouth guard is made from thermoplastic material. It is placed in hot water to soften, then placed in the mouth and shaped around the teeth using finger and tongue pressure.

3. Custom-fitted mouth guards are individually designed and made in a dental or orthodontic office. Due to the use of the special material and because of the extra time and work involved, a custom-made mouth guard may be more expensive than the other types of mouth guards, but a custom-made mouth guard provides the most comfort and protection.

Mouth guards should be used by anyone playing contact sports such as football, boxing, soccer, ice hockey, basketball, lacrosse, and field hockey. However, even those participating in non-contact sports (gymnastics) and any recreational activity (skateboarding or mountain biking) that might pose a risk of injury to the mouth would benefit from wearing a protective mouth guard.

If you are an athlete and a patient at Pediatric Dental Specialists, talk to our doctors about selecting a mouth guard that will provide the right protection for you.

Also, if you have a retainer or other removable appliance, do not wear it during any contact sports. For more information give us a call our Long Beach Office at (562) 377-1375. Our friendly and knowledgeable team will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

National Tooth Fairy Day

Happy National Tooth Fairy Day! Today can be a great time to get your kids engaged in following an oral hygiene routine. To keep your children’s teeth healthy, brush them for two minutes, twice a day.

In honor of National Tooth Fairy Day, here are five facts about teeth you may not know about teeth.

1. Did you know the average American spends 38.5 total days brushing their teeth over a lifetime? It’s important to brush your teeth and keep a healthy routine of flossing, brushing your teeth and using a mouthwash.

2. If you don’t floss, you miss cleaning 40% of your tooth surfaces. Make sure you brush and floss twice a day! Lack of flossing can contribute to silent symptoms of gum disease, which ultimately leads to decay.

3. Did you know according to the American Dental Association, kids in prehistoric times likely did not suffer from tooth decay. The American Dental Association says this is because sugar was not a part of their diet.

4. Tooth decay is actually classified as an infectious disease because it is caused by a particular strain of bacteria passed between multiple people.

5. The blueprint for your teeth is present the day you’re born. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that infants be seen shortly after the first tooth erupts or no later than their first birthday. This first visit will help establish a dental home for your child.

The earlier you start, the better chance we have to prevent any potential problems. In addition to checking for decay and other conditions, our staff will teach you how to clean your child’s teeth properly, identify your child’s risk for cavities, and offer you helpful advice that will help your child build a lifetime of good dental habits.

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Carly was so excited to become a brace face today! 👏🏽👏🏽🙌🏽😬#PediatricDentalSpecialistsLongBeach #DrPlanells #DrSanchez #DrCortez • • • • • • #PDSLongBeach #LongBeachDentist #LongBeachCalifornia #LongBeach #PediatricDentist #KidsDentist #Orthodontist #Smile #KidsSmile #WeLoveOurPatients

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Summers Smiles in Long Beach

Summer smiles are in full effect in Long Beach! Did you know the average American spends 38.5 total days brushing their teeth over a lifetime? Dental hygiene and visiting the dentist is so important for our overall health. Here are some of our incredible smiles so far this summer.

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New 😬SMILE😬 coming soon. #Braces #PediatricDentalSpecialistsLongBeach #DrPlanells #DrSanchez #DrCortez • • • • • • #PDSLongBeach #LongBeachDentist #LongBeachCalifornia #LongBeach #PediatricDentist #KidsDentist #Orthodontist #Smile #KidsSmile #WeLoveOurPatients

A post shared by Pediatric Dental Specialists (@pdslongbeach) on Jul 25, 2019 at 9:25am PDT

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The Aguilar Family showing off their pearly whites. 😁#PediatricDentalSpecialistsLongBeach #DrPlanells #DrSanchez #DrCortez #PDSLongBeach #LongBeachDentist #LongBeachCalifornia #LongBeach #PediatricDentist #KidsDentist #Orthodontist #Smile #KidsSmile #WeLoveOurPatients

A post shared by Pediatric Dental Specialists (@pdslongbeach) on Jul 24, 2019 at 8:05am PDT

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Chase & Cruz having fun at our selfie 🤳station. #PediatricDentalSpecialistsLongBeach #SelfieStation #DrPlanells #DrSanchez #DrCortez • • • • • • #PDSLongBeach #LongBeachDentist #LongBeachCalifornia #LongBeach #PediatricDentist #KidsDentist #Orthodontist #Smile #KidsSmile #WeLoveOurPatients

A post shared by Pediatric Dental Specialists (@pdslongbeach) on Jul 9, 2019 at 1:14pm PDT

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Happy Birthday to our patient Naya. 🎈🎉🎂 #PediatricDentalSpecialistsLongBeach #DrPlanells #DrSanchez #DrCortez #PDSLongBeach #LongBeachDentist #LongBeachCalifornia #LongBeach #PediatricDentist #KidsDentist #Orthodontist #Smile #KidsSmile #WeLoveOurPatients

A post shared by Pediatric Dental Specialists (@pdslongbeach) on Jun 13, 2019 at 10:21am PDT

Dr. Santos Cortez, Dr. Estela Sanchez, and Dr. Ana Planells, as well as our team, are committed to supporting and educating our patients to care for their teeth and gums and help in the prevention of dental disease. We strive to achieve this goal in an environment that is soothing and welcoming to both parents and children of all ages.

3 Facts Parents Should Know: Baby's First Tooth

Preparing for a newborn is no easy task. It is an ever changing list of duties and things to prepare for. That does not stop once he or she arrives home. As new parents, we often do not think of our childs teeth until they begin teething and all the growing pains begin.

Baby teeth are essential, as they act as placeholders for our adult teeth and effect the way we speak and eat. Here are three facts parents should know about their baby’s first tooth.

1. Most babies will develop teeth between 6 and 12 months.
There is a wide range of variability of when a first tooth may appear—some babies may not have any teeth by their first birthday! Around 3 months of age, babies will begin exploring the world with their mouth and have increased saliva and start to put their hands in their mouth. Many parents question whether or not this means that their baby is teething, but a first tooth usually appears around 6 months old. Typically, the first teeth to come in are almost always the lower front teeth (the lower central incisors), and most children will usually have all of their baby teeth by age 3.

2. Schedule an Appointment by their First Birthday: 

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that infants be seen shortly after the first tooth erupts or no later than their first birthday. This first visit will help establish a dental home for your child.

The earlier you start, the better chance we have to prevent any potential problems. In addition to checking for decay and other conditions, our staff will teach you how to clean your child’s teeth properly, identify your child’s risk for cavities, and offer you helpful advice that will help your child build a lifetime of good dental habits.

3. Help Soothe Teething Pain
Babies may show signs of discomfort in the area where the tooth is coming in, the gums around the tooth may be swollen and tender, and the baby may drool a lot more than usual.

Parents can help ease teething pain by massaging their baby's gums with clean fingers, offering solid, not liquid-filled, teething rings, or a clean frozen or wet washcloth.

3 Benefits of Straight Teeth in Long Beach

We have been serving patients in Long Beach and the surrounding areas for over 30 years! 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.

Your smile is uniquely yours and it is what makes you YOU! Orthodontics is more than having a straight smile, the health benefits go beyond an aesthetically beautiful smile. Here are 3 benefits of a straight smile.

1. Healthy Gums, Healthy Life: Having healthy gums is a health aspect that everyone should have and so easy to obtain. Healthy gums are also the foundation to a healthy smile, inside and out. Your health is all related, from your mouth to your heart, to your entire body and your gums are an essential foundation. When teeth are spaced out or crowded, it’s possible for gums to be inflamed, which can lead to periodontal disease. Straight teeth aligns your gums to fit well around your teeth.

2. Decrease Risk of Tooth Injury:  Crowded, protruding upper teeth are more likely to be broken in the event of an accident, such as playing sports or during an accidental fall.

3. Healthier Bite: Orthodontics is all about a healthy bite. A healthy bite effects the way your child speaks, eats and chews their food and how their teeth fit overall.

Dr. Santos Cortez, Dr. Estela Sanchez, Dr. Ana Planells and Dr. Gabriela Cervantes, as well as our team, are committed to supporting and educating our patients to care for their teeth and gums and help in the prevention of dental disease. We strive to achieve this goal in an environment that is soothing and welcoming to both parents and children of all ages.

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We are so proud 🙌🏽of Isabella for not having any broken brackets. 👍🏽 #PediatricDentalSpecialistsLongBeach #DrPlanells #DrSanchez #DrCortez • • • • • • #PDSLongBeach #LongBeachDentist #LongBeachCalifornia #LongBeach #PediatricDentist #KidsDentist #Orthodontist #Smile #KidsSmile #WeLoveOurPatients

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Prevent Tooth Decay in Babies

Did you know a baby’s 20 primary teeth are already present in their jaws at birth? Those baby teeth that begin coming through the gums around 6 months help set the stage for future smiles by keeping space in the jaw for adult teeth. Starting your child off with good dental care can help protect their teeth for decades to come.

Baby teeth are place holders for adult teeth and help them develop the way they speak, eat and grow. Though baby teeth are place holders, they are still prone to getting cavities and tooth decay, which can cause pain to babies, lead to life threatening infections and can be costly to treat.

“Tooth decay develops when a baby's mouth is infected by acid-producing bacteria.” This most commonly happens when a child's teeth and gums are exposed to liquid and food for a long period of time. “Natural or added sugars in the liquid or food are changed to acid by bacteria in the mouth. This acid then dissolves the outer part of the teeth, causing them to decay. The most common way this happens is when parents put their children to bed with a bottle of formula, milk, juice (even when mixed with water), soft drinks (soda, pop), sugar water, or sugared drinks. It can also occur when children are allowed to frequently drink anything other than water from a sippy cup or bottle during the day or night.”

You can start caring for baby's gums right away. But at first, the care won't involve a toothbrush and toothpaste. Instead, take these steps:

• Get a soft, moistened washcloth or piece of gauze.
• Gently wipe down your baby's gums at least twice a day.
• Especially wipe your baby's gums after feedings and before bedtime.
• This will wash off bacteria and prevent them from clinging to gums. Bacteria can leave behind a sticky plaque that damages infant teeth as they come in.

When the first baby teeth start to pop up, you can graduate to the use of a toothbrush. Choose one with a soft brush, small head and large handle.

At first, just wet the toothbrush. As soon as teeth erupt, you can start using a bit of training-toothpaste, about the size of a grain of rice. You can increase this to a peas sized amount of fluoride toothpaste when your child is 2 years old. Brush gently all around your child's baby teeth, front and back.

You should brush your baby's teeth until he or she is old enough to hold the brush. Continue to supervise the process until your child can rinse and spit without assistance. That usually happens at around age 6.

When Should I wear a Mouth Guard?

April is National Facial Protection Month! National Facial Protection Month serves as a reminder over the importance of wearing mouth guards during sports, protecting your beautiful smile.

67% of parents surveyed by the American Association of Orthodontists said their child does not wear a mouth guard, yet 70% said their biggest fear is their child getting hurt when playing sports. The most effective way to protect your childs teeth and prevent injuries is to wear a mouthguard.

About 80% of traumatic dental injuries occur to the two front teeth. Injuries can happen at any age and any skill level. So when should you wear a mouth guard? Here are just a few.

• Basketball
• Baseball
• Football
• Soccer
• Skiing
• Rugby
• Softball
• Tennis  

National Children's Dental Health Month

Public awareness about children’s oral health is celebrated in the month of February, throughout the country.

Baby teeth are very important in a child’s dental development because they help guide the permanent teeth into place. Furthermore, because baby teeth have their own nerves, if a child develops deep cavities tooth-pain and infection may be the result. There is nothing worse than a toothache!

For that reason and more, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that all children see the dentist by their first birthday.  The dentist can guide parents through the child’s formative years and provide guidance in tooth-brushing, flossing, thumb-sucking, braces and many other topics.  Parents may obtain valuable information on teething, preventative care such as application of sealants and the importance of topical fluoride (this information may accessed through links in our website:

Many children have access to sweets in many forms.  Candy and soda or sugar in baked goods are prevalent and most common in the diet.  If the child is out of balance by not brushing well to remove plaque or not flossing, they are at a higher risk for tooth decay.  If the child is not brushing with a fluoridated tooth paste, their risk goes even higher.

Children, teens and young adults should see their dentist for their dental check-up twice a year. This is important, especially if the child is undergoing orthodontic treatment.

Though it is important to maintain good oral health throughout the year, February is the time of year we rededicate ourselves to optimal oral health. Please let our doctors or team members know if you have any questions.

Back to School Oral Health Basics

The summer days are passing by, and it is almost time to start a new school year.   As you prepare your children for back to school, the health of their teeth and gums may not be be on the top of your list, but good smiles denote: friendliness, good overall health, and confidence. Here are some suggestions that will help in maintaining healthy smiles:

Daily Oral Care Practices 

Educating our children at a young age on oral health practices is key in prevention of decay and gum disease. Here are some recommendations:

• Brushing

Brushing morning and at bedtime with a soft-bristle brush. We recommend using a timer for 2 minutes. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), it is recommended that children be assisted with brushing until the age of 8. At the very least, an inspection by the parent is very helpful. Children may swallow some toothpaste when brushing, these are the recommended amounts of toothpaste based on age: A smear or rice size amount of children’s fluoridated toothpaste is for children less than three years of age, and  a pea-size amount for children three to six years old.

• Flossing

Floss to clean between teeth and remove the plaque a toothbrush can’t reach. Initial supervision by a parent is necessary. There are special flossers with handles to help reach between molars.

Healthy Diet

Healthy snacks are just as important as a good daily hygiene routine. Here are some ideas for healthy options for your child’s teeth: string cheese, fruits, veggies, yogurt, hummus, almonds. Try to avoid sticky snacks such as fruit snacks (fruit roll-ups) and gummies, these can stick to your child’s teeth and may lead to tooth decay.

It is recommended to limit juice. Provide at most 4 ounces daily for toddlers age 1-3; for children age 4-6, fruit juice should be restricted to 4 to 6 ounces daily; and for children ages 7-18, juice intake should be limited to 8 ounces. Encourage water intake.

Schedule a Dental Check-up

Children starting kindergarten or in their first year of public school must have a dental check-up by May 31, according to California law.  A check-up/oral health assessment is important for children of all ages and helps to ensure healthy smiles. Undetected dental problems may be identified before
they become big concerns. Dental disease may result in infection/ pain that makes it difficult for children to eat, speak, and learn in school. Missing days from school as a result of dental disease may be prevented.

For more pediatric dental tips or to schedule your child’s appointment contact us at Pediatric Dental Specialists Long Beach (www.lbpds.net) Phone 562-377-1375

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Keep Your Teeth Safe This Summer: Be Prepared!

June marks the official start of summer and for many parents it's filled with celebrations and graduations as children finish the school year. June is also the month where our pediatric dentists begin to see an increase in dental emergencies, many due to pool injuries. This past weekend, in fact, Dr. Cortez received an emergency phone call from a young patient who dove to the bottom of the pool and hit her front teeth. He and one of our staff came to the office on Saturday to provide emergency care to fix her chipped teeth. 

Statistics show that during the summer we spend more time outdoors participating in a wide variety of water sports and swimming activities. Taking some simple safety precautions can make for great fun over the summer months.  

Water related dental injuries

Diving and jumping into shallow water are major causes of serious injuries. Surfacing from a pool or swimming with eyes closed can lead to a fractured tooth by hitting the concrete wall at the edge of a pool. Other severe injuries result from falling on slippery walkways, decks, diving boards and ladders.

Here are some tips if an injury occurs:

   1. Call our office immediately if a tooth injury occur- as time is critical when trying to save a knocked out tooth.  Whether the injury occurs after hours or during holidays we are always here to assist when an emergency occurs.

   2. Chipped or Broken Teeth. If your child has chipped or broken his tooth, rinse his mouth with warm water, then use a cold compress to reduce swelling. Try to locate and save the tooth fragment that broke off. 

    3. Knocked out Teeth. If your child’s tooth has been knocked out, find the tooth and place the tooth in a clean container with milk. If milk is not available, place the tooth in a clean container with the patient's own saliva. Do not scrub or clean the tooth with soap.

 

 

Avoiding Tooth Injuries
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recently released a guide for parents to help them handle common childhood dental emergencies.

You can help your child avoid some dental emergencies. Remind children to avoid running around wet slippery surfaces. Avoid diving into shallow pools and surfacing with eyes closed. If your child plays contact sports, have him or her wear a mouth guard.

For more information about water safety speak with your pediatric dentist, pediatrician, or check out the  “Sun and Water Safety Tips”   from the American Academy of Pediatrics.