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.

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 Nutrition Month: 4 Foods to Stay Away for a Healthy Smile

We are proud to serve our Long Beach community and see so many smiles and families grow and shine. What sets us apart from other pediatric dental specialist and orthodontists in our community is the opportunity to meet all your child’s dental needs under one roof!

Patients who undergo orthodontic treatment are able to have their orthodontic wires removed for dental cleanings and then have their braces adjusted during the same visit by the orthodontist. This service enables you to make fewer visits to the dentist during your child’s orthodontic treatment by having all the care in one office.

This month, is National Nutrition Month and while there are many healthy foods that serve our body and smile well, there are various foods that we should steer clear from. They can harm our enamel, disrupt our orthodontic treatment and can negatively impact our smile, by causing bacteria and cavities.

1. Sports Drinks - Sports Drinks are notorious for having so much sugar, even if they are labeled “natural” or “healthy.” “The bacteria get energy from the sugar, but in the process produce acid. The acid they make can damage teeth, causing cavities to form or erosion to occur,” according to American Dental Association.

2. Lemon / Acidic Foods -  Our enamel is stronger than our bones, which means it has an important role in keeping our tooth safe. Limit your acidic food intake as it can erode the enamel.

3. Sticky Foods - Stay away from sticky foods if you have braces. However if you are just enjoying a snack, sticky foods may not be the route to go towards. Sticky foods remain on our teeth longer, thus contributing to bacteria and cavities, especially if it is filled with sugar.

4. Crunchy Foods (Chips) - Everyone's go to snack is more often than not something crunchy such as chips. This is a food to stay away from for your smile, especially if you just received braces. Chips get stuck on our teeth and crunchy foods in general can damage our teeth.

There are various foods that can benefit our smile and teeth, it is just important to be mindful of our nutrition and what goes into our mouth. You can find more foods that are appealing, but not recommended during orthodontic treatment specifically on our website.

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Right Age for Orthodontics

What makes Pediatric Dental Specialists is the ability to meet your child's dental needs under one roof. Patients who undergo orthodontic treatment are able to have their orthodontic wires removed for dental cleanings and then have their braces adjusted during the same visit by Dr. Coretz, Dr Planells or Dr. Sanchez. This service enables you to make fewer visits to the dentist during your child’s orthodontic treatment by having all the care in one office.

At Pediatric Dental Specialist, we can successfully correct most problems regardless of the patient’s age, from children to teens to adults. However, there is a recommended age the American Association of Orthodontics recommends your child see an orthodontics. Time and age plays a big role in when and what type of treatment your child may need.

Children: 

The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that all children have a check-up with an orthodontist by the time they reach age 7. This is essential for early detection of any potential problems related to his or her teeth or related to jaw growth. By age 7, most of a child's mouth should have a mix of adult and baby teeth.

We proudly serve our Long Beach community and have seen many childrens smiles blossoom and shine. Seeing an orthodontist at an early age allows us to determine how and when a child's particular jaw and/or dental problems should be corrected, if they need to be.

Check out some of our patient’s beautiful smiles. Contact us to set up an appointment or if you have any additional questions.

Open Wide and Say BOOO!

Halloween is around the corner and kids of all ages will be tempted to indulge in sugary treats. Here are some timely ‘tricks’ to safely enjoy those tempting ‘treats.’

Say ‘boo’ to sticky and chewy snacks such as caramel, gummies, taffy, jelly beans, bubblegum and popcorn.  Even if you don’t wear braces, aligners or other orthodontic “appliances,” be careful with these types of treats to prevent damage to your teeth.

While some candy is permissible, such as soft chocolates, peanut butter cups or other melt-in-your-mouth varieties, please remember to enjoy these goodies in moderation during the Halloween season and throughout the year.  Find orthodontic-friendly alternatives at https://www.aaoinfo.org/1/recipes

It’s also important to be especially vigilant about brushing and flossing during any holiday or celebration when you’ll be eating more sweets than usual.

Halloween falls during National Orthodontic Health Month and the American Association of Orthodontists and I encourage everyone to have a safe and enjoyable holiday.

Different Types of Mouthwashes

Mouthwash is an essential part of a good oral hygiene routine, that often goes unnoticed. But did you know there are multiple types of mouthwash? Each also has a different function and works in different ways to help your teeth.

Fluoride Mouthwash: You’ve heard how fluoride helps your teeth. Well fluoride in mouthwashes, does just that and helps protect your teeth from cavities and tooth decay. Be careful when using this type of mouthwash because an intake of too much fluoride is not good.

Antiseptic Mouthwash: This is the most common type of mouthwash, you probably have some in your cabinet. This type of mouthwash contains alcohol and used to eliminate bad breath and fight infections in your mouth. Along with brushing your teeth and flossing, all three work together to fight bad breath and bacteria.

Cosmetic Mouthwash: The only benefit of this mouthwash, to your oral health care is to mask bad breath.

Natural Mouthwash: Natural mouthwash has the same functions of all the other mouthwash, except their ingredients are natural. It is the popular alternative to alcohol-free mouthwash.

If you have any questions about what type of oral hygiene products to use during and after your orthodontic treatment, please do not hesitate to ask us.

When Should I Take my Child to the Dentist?

Our commitment at Pediatric Dental Specialist is to providing the highest quality oral health care services and education for infants, children and teenagers including those with special needs. Our qualified professional team is dedicated to guiding our patients to obtain optimal oral health in a nurturing and friendly environment.

We recommend that children as young as one-year old have their teeth evaluated by a pediatric dentist. 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.

By 2 1/2 - 3 years old, most children have all their baby teeth in place. This is a perfect time to introduce them to a healthy routine of brushing their teeth, flossing and eating the right foods. Baby teeth hold space for permanent teeth, and they are just as essential for oral hygiene and a key component of maintaining healthy adult teeth.

It is best that kids see us on their first birthday and twice-yearly after that. These combined with the right home care will keep those teeth healthy all through childhood.

During the first exam, we will check all of your child’s existing teeth for decay, examine their bite and look for any other potential issues with the gums, jaw and oral tissue.

Your First Visit

We offer pediatric dentistry and orthodontics for children, teens, and patients with special healthcare needs. With years of education, hands-on training, and experience, our doctors and staff are uniquely able to meet the specific dental needs of our young patients.

We strive to make your child’s first dental visit an enjoyable one. Young children receive a personalized storybook in which their name appears throughout the story. Our intention in providing this book is to familiarize your child with our dental office.

The storybook contains the doctor’s as well as staff members’ names. Knowing who they will meet and what to expect allows your child to feel more at ease and somewhat curious for this new experience. Perhaps the most exciting part of this book is the back page that has a place for our signatures, stickers, and the picture of your child’s first visit with us. This is a keepsake for our new patients.

When Should Your Child’s First Dental Visit Be? 

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommend 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.

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

Oral Health Month: A Healthy Foundation

June is Oral Health Month. A good oral hygiene routine is the foundation to a healthy smile, especially for young children. For parents, leading by example, should establish healthy habits like brushing, cleaning between your teeth and seeing your dentist. This ultimately leads to the big difference in the health and happiness of your entire family and in children, less fears about visiting their dentist.

Here are a few tips from the American Dental Association that are a great reminder to enforce.

Start a Routine and Stick to It:

You may be tempted to let your child skip brushing after a long day or during times when your normal schedule is off (like vacation), but keep at it. The more second nature brushing becomes the easier it will be to make sure your child is brushing twice a day for two minutes.

Toothpaste:

Learn how to apply the right amount of toothpaste for your child. 

First Visit: 
Every parent celebrates the milestones in the first year, first words, first steps, first teeth.

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.

All in blue and all smiles! Dr. Cortez and our Registered Dental Assistant Chuy with our happy dental patient Gavin and his mom! 👍#PediatricDentalSpecialistsLongBeach

A post shared by Pediatric Dental Specialists (@lbpds200) on Jun 20, 2018 at 6:00am PDT

Bad Breath & Braces

After getting braces, new patients may develop bad breath from not cleaning their teeth properly. Simply doing a quick job brushing your teeth is not enough to keep your teeth in great shape, especially when you wear braces. Bacteria feeds on food particles leftover after you eat, and this sneaky bacterium creates an unpleasant odor.

We certainly understand bad breath can be uncomfortable to talk about, but it happens to most of us. The important thing to do if you’re experiencing bad breath (or know someone who is) is to determine the root of the problem. The most common factor for bad breath our patients is almost typically caused by poor oral hygiene.  It's important to brush immediately after every meal or snack or at least rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash if you aren’t able to brush. Bad breath-causing odors and bacteria can also cling to removable orthodontics (like a retainer or clear aligners), so be sure to remove them before eating, even if you're only having a snack.

If you're new to braces, or simply want to improve your dental hygiene, just ask us for a few helpful tips at your next appointment, we're here to help!

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. 

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. 

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!

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

Meet the Staff of Pediatric Dental Specialists!

Our staff is a strong team of compassionate and highly trained individuals who are committed to life-long oral health for our patients. You will find each of them caring and knowledgeable.

This team is made up of clerical and clinical staff. The clinical staff members are registered dental assistants and are certified with coronal polishing and x-ray licenses by the Department of California- Department of Consumer Affairs. They take over 25 hours of Continuing Education to renew their licenses in a variety of topics, including Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Infection Control. Our staff, besides having the professional training, also possess the practical experience of being parents.

Tips for Eating with Braces - Pediatric Dental Specialists

Avoid eating hard and sticky foods. Hard and sticky foods may bend the wires and loosen the cement under the brackets or break the brackets off completely.

Avoid eating or drinking foods that are high in sugar content such as soda and high energy drinks since these may cause “white spots” or cavities around your braces which not only are unsightly but may permanently scar your teeth.

Avoid chewing on pens, pencils and fingernails because chewing on hard things can damage the braces. Damaged braces will almost always cause treatment to take longer, and will require extra trips to the orthodontist’s office.

Please brush your teeth immediately after eating! If your unable to brush, at least rinse your mouth with water.

What's So Special About an Orthodontist?

"Dentists, Orthodontists, they're all the same right?" We hear our patients asking this question as they wonder about the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist. Before becoming an orthodontist Dr. Planells started out in dental school and earned a DDS (dental degree), just like Drs. Cortez and Sanchez. After dental school however, Dr. Planells decided she wanted to learn more about orthodontics, which is one of nine specialties within the dental field. So she stayed in school for a few more years and became an expert in orthodontics and pediatric dentistry, focusing on tooth and jaw alignment and bite problems like overbites and under bites.

Other dental specialties you may have heard of include endodontic (focusing on the soft tissue inside your teeth), periodontic (focusing on the gums and other tissues surrounding your teeth) and prosthodontic (focusing on restoring and replacing damaged teeth).

Isn't it nice to know there's a dental expert here to help you through any type of treatment your teeth, jaw and gums might need?

Now that I have braces, what can I eat?

You just got braces and the orthodontist has informed you that over the next several months you will want to avoid eating anything sticky, hard, crunchy, or chewy. What does this leave for you to eat? Lettuce? Nothing?

Luckily, there was someone else wondering the same thing when she first got braces! Brenda Waterman, 13, decided she was going to find a way to have her cake and eat it too, so she created a variety of “braces-friendly” recipes that allow you to enjoy your favorite treats without interfering with your orthodontic care! Her cookbook “The Braces Cookbook: Recipes you (and your Orthodontist) will Love” gives patients a variety of delicious recipes, safe to eat with braces; plus additional tips and advice for packing lunches, what to eat at parties, and braces-friendly restaurant dishes! There’s even a section with tips for dealing with the soreness that can occur when your braces or appliance are adjusted. Enjoy the foods you love – even with braces!
Here is a delicious, sneak peek recipe from “The Braces Cookbook:”

Wonderful Waffles

Forget the recipe that came with your waffle iron – this recipe will redefine fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth goodness. The secret to delicious waffles is letting the batter "sit" for five minutes before pouring into the waffle iron. Top cooked waffles with syrup, jam, fresh fruit or even whip cream. Makes about 5 servings!

Preheat your waffle iron according to the directions. You may want to lightly spray it with vegetable oil before heating.
• 3 cups flour
• 2 Tbl + 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 Tbl sugar
• 4 cups milk
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
In a large bowl, whisk (or use electric mixer on low) together all ingredients. Let batter sit for about five minutes to activate the baking powder.

When waffle iron is ready, pour about 1/3 cup of batter onto each of the four squares (experiment with your iron – you don't want the batter overflowing). Gently close the cover and set your timer as the manufacturer suggests. Do not lift the cover while they bake. When done, carefully lift one edge with a flat spatula and pull the waffle away from the iron. Keep waffles warm on a plate under a clean dishtowel while the others bake.

Why Is It So Important to Have Straight Teeth?

Some people wonder why we work so hard to give our patients straight teeth. Of course it’s nice to have a smile full of evenly aligned teeth, but did you know that straightening your child's teeth can keep them healthier? Straight teeth lead to better oral hygiene, increasing your child's chances of keeping his or her own natural teeth for a lifetime.

Straight teeth are less prone to decay, because they collect less plaque – the sticky colorless substance that forms on our teeth and leads to tooth decay; and they are easier to keep clean!

If you’re wondering whether your child's teeth might cause problems because they are out of alignment, give us a call at 562-377-1375 to set up a consultation. Dr. Cortez can help you decide whether or not your child will benefit from orthodontic treatment.