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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Starting to Brush Your Baby’s Teeth

What sets Pediatric Dental Specialists apart? We offer pediatric dentistry and orthodontics for children, teens, and patients with special healthcare needs in Long Beach, California and our surrounding communities. 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.

You may be wondering when you should begin to brush your baby’s teeth or even how to. As your child’s teeth may be coming in, it is important to begin a great oral health care routine by caring for your child’s gums.

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.

April's Check-In for Charity - Autism Speaks

Pediatric Dental Specialists is taking part in the worldwide support for Autism this month! 

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.

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!

March Charity of the Month

It’s hard to believe we’re already in the third month of 2018! We’re excited this month to talk about a great local organization, the Harbor Dental Society. All of your check ins on Facebook this month will help generate donations for this worthwhile cause.  

The Harbor Dental Society was founded in 1915 by a small study club of ten dentists in the city of Long Beach. It has grown to include more than 700 dentists in 28 cities in the Los Angeles Harbor area. The Harbor Dental Society is comprised of local dentists who are members of both the American Dental Association (ADA) and the California Dental Association (CDA).

The Harbor Dental Society has a strong commitment to improve the dental health of the communities that it serves. The Society was a major force in establishing the Children's Dental Health Clinic in 1931 and spearheaded a twenty-year fight for fluoridation in the Long Beach water system.

What started many years ago as a small study group of dentists has grown to embody the commitment of our member dentists to the dental health of all children we are able to serve. Please join all of us at Pediatric Dental Specialists in supporting this wonderful local organization during the month of March. 

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. 

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.

MI Paste & MI Paste Plus AVAILABLE HERE

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

What is MI Paste & MI Paste Plus?

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

More benefits on these products*:

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

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

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

Leave Us A Review On Google

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

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

Bicycle Safety Tips from Pediatric Dental Specialists

At Pediatric Dental Specialists, we take a special interest in our patients and their development. One ways that they develop socially and physically is through learning to ride a bike.

Learning to ride a bicycle can be challenging. But it is so rewarding. So Dr. Cortez, Dr. Sanchez, and Dr. Planells found these great tips on the American Association of Pediatric web site and wanted to share them.

--Do not push your child to ride a 2-wheeled bike until he or she is ready, at about age 5 or 6. Consider the child's coordination and desire to learn to ride. Stick with coaster (foot) brakes until your child is older and more experienced for hand brakes.

--Take your child with you when you shop for the bike, so that he or she can try it out. The value of a properly fitting bike far outweighs the value of surprising your child with a new one. Click here for more information on finding the proper fit.

--Buy a bike that is the right size, not one your child has to "grow into." Oversized bikes are especially dangerous.

--Your child needs to wear a helmet on every bike ride, no matter how short or how close to home. Many accidents happen in driveways, on sidewalks, and on bike paths, not just on streets. Children learn best by observing you. Whenever you ride, put on your helmet.

--When purchasing a helmet, look for a label or sticker that says the helmet meets the CPSC safety standard.

--A helmet protects your child from serious injury, and should always be worn. And remember, wearing a helmet at all times helps children develop the helmet habit.

--A helmet should be worn so that it is level on the head, not tipped forwards or backwards. The strap should be securely fastened, and you should not be able to move the helmet in any direction. If needed, the helmet's sizing pads can help improve the fit.

Safe bicycle riding to everyone! From Pediatric Dental Specialists!

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!

What to Expect for Your First Orthodontic Visit to Pediatric Dental Specialists

An initial orthodontic evaluation will help you answer several questions. How is my child’s bite? Does my child need braces? When is the best time to receive treatment? Is there anything that can be done now to prevent future problems? How much will this cost?

Dr. Planells will evaluate your child and assess your child’s bite, evaluate the space available for all the teeth, assess the growth of the jaws and make recommendations based on your child’s needs. She will also answer any questions you may have about any proposed course of action.