Your Safety is our First Concern

Pediatric Dental Specialists

We hope you and your family in good health. Our community has been through a lot over the last few months, and all of us are looking forward to resuming our normal habits and routines. While many things have changed, one thing has remained the same: our commitment to your safety.

Infection control has always been a top priority for our practice and you may have seen this during your visits to our office. Our infection control processes are made so that when you receive care, it’s both safe and comfortable. We want to tell you about the infection control procedures we follow in our practice to keep patients and staff safe.

Our office follows infection control recommendations made by the American Dental Association (ADA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We follow the activities of these agencies so that we are up-to-date on any new rulings or guidance that may be issued.

To ensure the safety of our patients we have also invested in a hospital grade Advanced HEPA filtration system (AF400-NP by Quatro) for our treatment rooms to help remove airborne microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, and fungal spores).

You may see some changes when it is time for your next appointment. We made these changes to help protect our patients and staff. For example:

• Our doctors and team members will be screened and their temperature taken each day prior to entering the office. 
• Our office will communicate with you beforehand to ask some screening questions. You’ll be asked those same questions again when you are in the office. 
• We have touchless hand sanitizer dispensers that we will ask you to use when you enter the office. You will also find some in the reception area and other places in the office for you to use as needed. 
• You may see that our waiting room/game room will no longer offer magazines, children’s toys or video games, since those items are difficult to clean and disinfect. 
• The waiting room will have a Honeywell True HEPA Console air purifier. 
• Appointments will be managed to allow for social distancing between patients. That might mean that you’re offered fewer options for scheduling your appointment. 
• We will do our best to allow greater time between patients to reduce waiting times for you, as well as to reduce the number of patients in the reception area at any one time. 
• Forms will be digital and will be texted or emailed so you can complete them prior to your visit.

We look forward to seeing you again and are happy to answer any questions you may have about the steps we take to keep you, and every patient, safe in our practice. 

Thank you for being our patients. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming back to our office in the near future.

    

If you have any questions about our re-opening procedures and the steps we have taken to ensure our patients safety please do not hesitate to call our Long Beach office at (562) 377-1375. Our friendly and knowledgeable team will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

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: 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.

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! 

Leave Us A Review On Google

Reviews on Google provide valuable information about our business to both us and our customers. Business reviews appear next to our listing in Maps and Search, and can help our business stand out on Google.

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

#LBPDS200 Super Bowl Challenge!

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

Pediatric Dental Specialists, supporting National Smile Month

Now that Memorial Day weekend is behind us, we thought today would be a great time to tell our wonderful patients that June is National Smile Month, and a good time to remind all our patients to practice good oral hygiene between your visits to Pediatric Dental Specialists.

Here are a few simple steps you can take to improve your oral health so that you may celebrate National Smile Month for many years to come:

* Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Here's a helpful video showing you how to brush with your braces on.
* Floss everyday to clean between your teeth.
* Reduce your intake of sugary foods and drinks during your orthodontic treatment.
* Visit with Drs. Planells, Sanchez or Cortez regularly (usually every six months apart).

If you have questions about any of these tips, we encourage you to give us a call at (562) 377-1375.

We hope you all had a memorable Memorial Day weekend and now we want everyone to get out there and share your beautiful smiles with the world!

Pediatric Dental Specialists want to know: This Memorial Day, what are you up to?

Make no mistake about it: Memorial Day weekend is a time Americans everywhere stop and remember all those men and women who bravely gave their lives for our country. It’s also the unofficial start of summer, and for many kids, getting out of town for three days with parents after being cooped up in school or work spells sweet relief.

At Pediatric Dental Specialists, we know Memorial Day weekend is also a great time to pack up and hit the road. After all, it’s unofficially the start of summer and time for a season full of vacations, adventures and great memories with parents or friends. What are you up to this Memorial Day weekend? What will you be doing on your day off from school or work?

Whether you are headed to a barbecue, a camping trip, or just having fun in the sun next weekend, our staff would like to hear all about it! Enjoy the long weekend everyone!

Dr. Sanchez wants to know: Is your child a mouth breather?

At Pediatric Dental Specialists, we know breathing through the mouth instead of the nose may lead to trouble for kids. Now we have proof, thanks to a study published in the January/February 2010 issue of the journal General Dentistry.

Children who typically breathe through their mouth - most often kids who suffer from allergies - experience problems getting enough oxygen into their blood, a condition that affects their weight, size and sleep, which often affects their performance in the classroom and life.

Dr. Yosh Jefferson, who anchored the study, also notes that if left untreated, mouth breathing can cause dental and facial abnormalities. But there's good news: mouth breathing is a treatable condition. Doing so, however, requires early diagnosis and treatment. Since Drs. Sanchez, Planells and Cortez see their patients every six months, they may be in a position to identify the symptoms of mouth breathing.

If you suspect your child is a chronic mouth breather, please give our team at Pediatric Dental Specialists a call at (562) 377-1375.

For more on mouth breathing, we encourage you to read the rest of the Dr. Jefferson's article. For more on children's dental health, please head over to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website.

Write a review of Drs. Cortez, Sanchez or Planells!

Whether you've visited Pediatric Dental Specialists for a week, months or even years, we'd love to hear your feedback about Dr. Cortez, Dr. Sanchez or Dr. Planells. There are lots of places on the Internet where you may share your reviews, but we'd like to direct you to our Google Local Page to write a review of us - it only takes a moment!

You may write your review here.

Thank you and enjoy your week!

Pediatric Dental Specialists, reminding you Mother's Day is this Sunday!

Mother's Day -- which falls on this coming Sunday -- is special to all of us, isn't it? Everyone looks forward to this day to let mommy dearest know how special she is to us. As you know, the day is observed by giving gifts, visiting our moms or taking them out to celebrate. Tell us, what are you planning on you mom's special day on Sunday?

Out of ideas? Then check out this helpful video from Good Morning America about clever, inexpensive Mother's Day gift ideas. Whatever you come up with, we're sure mom is going to absolutely love it!

-- The team at Pediatric Dental Specialists

Fun fact Friday with Drs. Planells, Sanchez and Cortez!

At Pediatric Dental Specialists, we know our patients love fun facts. The American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, has come up with some fun facts about orthodontics that our team and Drs. Cortez, Planells and Sanchez thought you might enjoy.

• There are nearly 4 million people in orthodontic treatment throughout the United States. Three out of four are younger than 18.

• The first mechanical treatment for correcting irregular teeth was suggested by Gaius Plinius Secundus (A.D 23-79).The American Association of Orthodontists is comprised of more than 12,000 members in the United States, Canada and abroad.

• The time required to complete orthodontic treatment ranges from 12 to 36 months depending on the nature and severity of the problem.

• Of the 160,000 dentists in the United States and Canada, 8,000 are practicing orthodontists.

• The cement that attaches the braces to the teeth is now made with a special fluoride-releasing substance.

• Wires activated by body heat used in today's braces originally were developed by NASA for use in the space program.

• In addition to alleviating or preventing physical health problems, orthodontics can boost self-esteem as treatment aligns teeth, jaws and lips.

• Famous orthodontic patients include: Dr. Joyce Brothers, Hale Irwin, Cher, Diana Ross, Phyllis Diller, Chelsea Clinton, Whoopi Goldberg, Daisy Fuentes and Brandi.

Might you be a teeth whitening addict?

In an age—and culture—where looks matter as much as anything in life, and at a time when a set of beautiful white teeth might be the difference between getting that great job, more and more people want to look and feel great. But can there be too much of a good thing when it comes to teeth whitening? Dentists everywhere are reporting a spike in patients' complaining about irritation and bleeding gums, translucent teeth and excessive teeth sensitivity, especially to cold food and drink items.

Our friends at WebMD have written a helpful article on teeth whitening addiction, and we encourage you to give it a read if you suspect you may have a teeth whitening addiction. Or you may give us a call for more info!

Ask Pediatric Dental Specialists: What, exactly, is malocclusion?

Malocclusion, or what Drs. Planells, Sanchez and Cortez call “bad bite,” is the improper alignment of teeth and/or jaws. When your teeth and jaws are not properly aligned, it may impact your bite, the ability to properly care for your teeth, your gum tissue health and even your appearance.

Most people experience some degree of malocclusion, but it generally is not severe enough to require corrective measures. If your malocclusion is serious enough, however, treatment at Pediatric Dental Specialists may be necessary to correct the issue.

Drs. Planells, Sanchez and Cortez will tell you that untreated malocclusion can lead undesirable mouth problems, including tooth decay, gum disease, chipped and cracked teeth. The most common solution for malocclusion, of course, is orthodontic treatment. The actual course of treatment, including the length of time you will require braces, will be determined by severity of your malocclusion.
At Pediatric Dental Specialists, we use the most advanced technology in the field in order to ensure that you receive the best possible results. If you have any questions about malocclusion, please give us a call and we’ll try to answer any questions you may have.

Helping kids overcome fears of the dentist, from Drs. Planells, Sanchez and Cortez

Some children have fear when it comes to visiting the dentist. Our team at Pediatric Dental Specialists found a great article over the weekend on how to help children overcome fears of the dentist, courtesy of our friends at WebMD.

Making your child feel comfortable when they visit Drs. Planells, Sanchez and Cortez is a huge reason to take your child to a Pediatric Dentist instead of a regular dentist. Our team at Pediatric Dental Specialists excels at making children feel comfortable visiting the dentist. In fact, most of our patients look forward to their next visit!

Cavities and your child, from Pediatric Dental Specialists

Our team at Pediatric Dental Specialists read an interesting article this morning pertaining to cavities and how bacteria spreads from parents to children, and thought we'd share the news with you, our valued patients and parents.

According to the MSNBC article, Streptococcus mutans, or MS, is a bacterium that can pass from person to person through the transfer of saliva, and is the main culprit. Bacteria have been known to spread through blowing on babies' foods, sharing household utensils and even kissing your little one. In fact, a 2008 pediatric dentistry study showed “strong evidence demonstrated that mothers are a primary source of MS colonization of their children; a few investigations showed other potential sources … notably fathers.”

Out staff knows tooth decay is caused by a combination of factors, including the transfer of infectious saliva, genetics, oral hygiene, and feeding practices, such as letting your baby constantly suck on a sippy cup full of juice or milk or other sugar-laden liquids.

Drs. Sanchez, Planells and Cortez would like for you to read the article and learn a bit more about the transmission of bacteria and how it might impact your child. If you have any questions about bacteria or your treatment at Pediatric Dental Specialists, please feel free to give us a call at (562) 377-1375.

Tell Drs. Sanchez, Planells and Cortez what’s on your mind!

By now, you probably the drill: Each week, our dedicated staff at Pediatric Dental Specialists write about topics related to orthodontic care and your health, including innovative dental and orthodontic treatments offered at our office. This week, we thought we’d ask our loyal patients: what’s on your mind? What would you like to know about the always-changing field of dentistry and orthodontics? What would you like us to focus on our blog going forward? Perhaps there’s something you’ve wanted to ask Drs. Sanchez, Planells or Cortez but haven’t found the time?

Let us know and we’ll try to answer any questions you may have for us!