Helpful Dental Tricks and Tips for a Happy Halloween

The Fall season is here, and it is an exciting time of year for many children as they prepare for Halloween festivities and trick or treating. Here are a few “tricks” and tips from the team at Pediatric Dental Specialists that may help protect your children’s oral health.

Inspecting Candy:
An adult should inspect the candy and discard any items that display the following: unusual appearance, tears/ holes in the wrappers, anything homemade should be discarded unless you know who personally gave it to them. For young children, discard any choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies, or small toys.

Moderation is Key:
After trick-or-treating, set a specific treat time with your child for when they can eat a treat. The best time to have a treat is following a meal such as lunch or dinner. Saliva production increases during and after a meal, and the extra saliva can help wash away sugars and clean the teeth. If your children are eating candy throughout the day they may be at increased risk for tooth decay.

Choose the Correct Candy:

Select candy that won’t be as harmful to teeth. Hard candies can chip or crack teeth. It is best to allow these treats to melt in the mouth. Avoid giving your children sticky candies as they tend to dislodge fillings and crowns and stay in the grooves of back teeth. Plain chocolate bars melt quickly, are softer, and the least harmful to teeth.

Good Oral Hygiene:

It’s important that your children brush their teeth twice daily for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste. Flossing is also recommended to help keep the sugar bugs away where the toothbrush can’t reach. Good oral hygiene will help keep your children’s mouth healthy.

Candy Buy Back:

Consider donating Halloween candy or else join us for our buy back. We want your Halloween candy and will pay you for it! We will give our patients $1 per pound of candy up to 50 pounds of candy. All candy donors will also be entered into a raffle to win a gift card. Come by the office from 11/1 to 11/7 to make the candy switch. Check our website for drop off dates.

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

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.

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. 

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.

Pediatric Dental Specialists in the Community

The doctors of Pediatric Dental Specialists—Drs. Cortez, Planells and Sanchez—are actively involved in many community-service activities, charitable organizations and child advocacy endeavors because they believe strongly in giving back. Living out of the philosophy, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”

The doctors go to great lengths to ensure that their specialty is being used to the fullest to educate, advocate and care for all children in our community. They also participate in dental missions around the world, serving children in need. During their entire careers they have and continue to donate many clinical hours each year volunteering at dental clinics, mobile dental clinics, special events and dental missions.

Some of the education aspects of their service include being advisers to the Children’s Dental Health Clinic, Head Start Program and the Stramski Center. Lecturing at USC and UCLA schools of dentistry and many dental organizations are part of their dedication to mentoring and caring for the profession.

The doctors are very involved in their professional organizations, spending many hours as leaders working to inform our lawmakers of the condition of oral health care in our children and to promote change.

Not only are our doctors involved but they encourage and inspire their staff to reach out wherever possible to do the same.

To learn more about Pediatric Dental Specialists in the greater Los Angeles community, please give us a call. Happy Monday!

Patient reviews for Pediatric Dental Specialists

Pediatric Dental Specialists, serving Long Beach and surrounding areas, has been receiving some great patient testimonials lately! Check out what our current patients are saying about Dr. Cortez and team! Have a great week!

"Exceptional service and commitment to making the child's experience positive." ~ Sheila T.

"He is very concerned about his patients. Works well to help both the child and parent. He has performed excellent work for both of my sons." ~ Richard G.

"I love Dr. Cortez and how he provides information that I am able to understands. I have referred so many people over to Dr. Cortez, I know that they would love his work. He takes pride in working with children. Also he makes you feel welcome." ~ Ryan K.

"He seems to be professional and have a generous heart toward children and understands parent concerns. His education and strive to help others is inspiring to anyone. He seems to be a great role model for children. Many may even become dentists....." ~ John B.

"Dr. Cortez and his staff have always been great! I have been coming here since I was a little tyke and it is always great. I am always very happy to be there. I especially like their most recent edition of "Sesame"! In two words : THEY ROCK !!!!!" ~ Andrew T.

Answering all your burning questions about mouthwash

While mouthwash is not an alternative to regular brushing and flossing, it can help keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy. There are several different types of mouthwashes available, and all of them will help do different things for your smile. The most common types of mouthwashes are:

• Fluoride - fluoride is the most used type of mouthwash available, and is used to strengthen the enamel of the teeth while preventing cavities and tooth decay.

• Antiseptic - an antiseptic mouthwash is used to kill bacteria and germs in the mouth. Most commonly used before and after a dental surgery, antiseptic mouthwashes can also help to fight gum disease, and halitosis (chronic bad breath). Antiseptic mouthwashes can affect your sense of taste and may stain the teeth, so it is recommended that you consult your dentist before using this type of mouthwash.

• Combination - a combination mouthwash is designed to help prevent tooth decay, freshen the breath, and maintain the health of your smile.

• Prescription - for patients with gum disease, or any signs of gum disease, you may need a prescription mouthwash. Prescription mouthwashes, like Peridex of PerioGard, are used to treat gingivitis, and other forms of decay.

There are also many different brands of mouthwash. Some common brands include:

• Scope
• Listerine
• Act
• Crest
• Tom’s of Maine (all-natural)
• Plax (anti-plaque rinse)
• Breath Rx
• Orajel
• Targon (special mouthwash made for smokers)
• Rembrandt (whitening mouthwash)


If you are curious about which kind of mouthwash would work best for you, be sure to ask Dr. Cortez at your next dental appointment. If you have a favorite mouthwash, let us know by posting a comment for others to read!

Pediatric Dental Specialists Around the Web

If you've ever visited us at Pediatric Dental Specialists, you already know that we love connecting with our patients. We love the ability to communicate with all of you online too! Besides our web site and our blog, Pediatric Dental Specialists is on many other networks too!

* Share a video with us, or watch one of ours on YouTube

* Become a "fan" of Pediatric Dental Specialists on Facebook


See you around the web!

--Pediatric Dental Specialists

Bottled Water May Be Behind Tooth Troubles, Pediatric Dental Specialists

We at Pediatric Dental Specialists want you to know that as more families turn to bottled water and away from the tap, they may be missing out on one important ingredient that most brands of bottled water fail to include: fluoride!

As of 2005, bottled water is second only to soft drinks as the most popular drink in the United States, beating out milk, juice, and – more significantly – tap water. Between 2001 and 2006, the amount of bottled water sold in the U.S. rose an average of 10% per year. And many dental health specialists point to bottled water’s increased popularity as the culprit behind rising rates of cavities.

Because fluoride helps strengthen teeth, it is an important component of maintaining good oral health. The benefits of fluoride were noticed in the early part of the twentieth century, when researchers found communities with low levels of tooth decay. It turned out that these towns had measurable levels (around 1 part per million) of fluoride in their drinking water.

Beginning in the 1940s, communities have fluoridated their water supplies, and dentists have seen a significant decline in cavities ever since. The American Dental Association endorses both community water fluoridation and the use of fluoride-containing products as a safe means of preventing tooth decay. Between tap water and toothpaste, most of us get sufficient amounts of fluoride.

But if your family avoids fluoridated tap water in favor of ever-more-popular bottled water, you could be missing out on the levels of fluoride necessary to make a difference in your oral health.

If bottled water is your water of choice, check the label to make sure that your brand contains fluoride. As of a 2006 decision, the FDA allows bottled water containing .6 to 1.0 milligrams per liter of fluoride to carry a label stating that fluoridated water may reduce the risk of dental cavities or tooth decay. The ADA has backed this decision.

Of course, simply drinking fluoridated water is not a magic ticket to perfect teeth. To keep your choppers in tip-top shape, it’s important to brush and floss daily and avoid sugary sweets, in addition to maintaining your fluoride intake and visiting us at Pediatric Dental Specialists regularly.

-Drs. Sanchez, Cortez and Planells

Which Foods Are Actually Healthy For My Teeth? Dr. Planells Shares Her Insight

With so much marketing out there telling us what is good and not good for our teeth, it can be a bit confusing. So we asked Dr. Ana Planells to explain.

Which foods and drinks are actually healthy for my teeth?

The American Dental Association recommends that for good general and dental health you eat a diet rich in nutritious foods from the five food groups: breads and cereals and other grains; fruits; vegetables; meat, fish and protein alternatives and milk, yogurt and cheese. Limit excess snacking of foods that are starchy or sweet (crackers, cookies) and sweetened foods/drinks (chips, donuts, juices, carbonated soft drinks) which can lead to dental cavities.

Can hard candies or hard mints cause damage to my teeth?

Hard candies or hard mints can cause damage to your teeth. These hard foods can cause the enamel to crack or chip. They can also cause sealants or fillings to break. Also, unless they are sugar-free, they can cause an increase in cavities.

Are spicy or acidic foods bad for my teeth?

Acidic foods such as sodas/diet sodas can cause dental erosion due to the low pH of these foods/drinks. We recommend that for the prevention of dental cavities you avoid the consumption of carbonated soft drinks (including diet soft drinks).
Acidic and spicy foods can be irritants and should be avoided if you have a “canker sore”.

Does alcohol have an effect on the health of my teeth?

Alcohol consumption is not recommended for children!
Alcohol can have many harmful effects on the mouth. Alcohol consumption dries the mucous membranes (the lining of the mouth), and can increase the rate of cavities and gum disease. Alcohol consumption has also been shown to increase the risk of developing cancer of the mouth, throat and esophagus

Stay tuned for next week, Dr. Planells will share even more of her wisdom, perhaps she'll talk about wisdom teeth!

Beware the "Toothworm": Managing a Modern Toothache - Dr. Santos Cortez

As long as there have been humans, there have been toothaches. Throughout various cultures in ancient times, people believed that the pain in their teeth was caused by a toothworm – a literal worm that found its way into their mouth and bored deep into their teeth. In the eighteenth century, the myth of the toothworm died out, and today we understand the exact causes of toothaches and how to treat the pain involved.

Any pain originating inside the tooth indicates that the nerve of the tooth is irritated. The most common source of this kind of toothache is a cavity, or a hole in the outer layer of the tooth caused by decay. Other common sources of toothache include a broken or cracked tooth, an abscess, an exposed root, an impacted tooth, an erupting tooth, temporomandibular jaw disorder (TMJ), and gum disease. In rare cases, a toothache can be a symptom of a problem outside of the mouth, such as an ear infection, a sinus problem, or even heart disease.

Toothache pain can range from sharp and brief to dull and extended. It may be intensified with exposure to hot, cold, sweet or sour foods. For temporary relief until you can make it in to our office, try the following:

* Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean it out
* Carefully remove any particles from between your teeth with dental floss
* Take aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen to ease the pain (Important: never put aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen directly in contact with your gums; this can damage your gum tissue)
* Avoid extremely hot, cold, sweet, or sour foods
* Apply an over-the-counter numbing gel to the tooth
* Soak a cotton ball or swab in clove oil (available in most pharmacies) and bite down on it

A toothache is a symptom of a dental or other kind of medical problem, so make an appointment with us immediately. We can conduct a complete examination, including x-rays if necessary, to determine the cause of your toothache.

Because cavities are a very common cause of toothache, the best way to avoid one is to maintain your oral hygiene with daily brushing and flossing and regular visits to our office for professional cleanings and examinations.