Madeline McGee

Three Tips To Keep Your Child’s Smile Healthy

October 29, 2020 by Madeline McGee

Keeping up with your family schedule can be a bit of a roller coaster, but getting your kids to eat right and maintain good oral hygiene should always be a top priority. Here are a few oral health tips that will help you protect your child and their developing teeth from long-term damage and avoidable mishaps.

Keep Up Healthy Oral Habits

No matter how eventful the upcoming months become, supervise their brushing routine twice a day for 2 minutes with fluoride toothpaste. Whether your child is staying up late to watch fireworks or catch fireflies, resist the temptation to let him/her skip brushing before bedtime or early in the morning.

Parents can find ways to encourage their kids to brush by making it fun. For example, buying a new, cartoon, or Disney-themed toothbrush to replace the old and worn out one sitting in the cup can spice up your child’s oral health routine. Simple things like colorful brushing calendars or setting a timer or playing a song while your child brushes their teeth can help everyone stay on track. It’s recommended that you schedule your child’s appointments every three to six months to ensure all that brushing and flossing is paying off!

Keep Healthy Snacks and Drinks in Stock

It’s common for kids to sip and snack, but prevent an “acid attack” on your child’s teeth by investing in healthy snacks and drinks. It can be hard to limit snacking when the kids are home all day, but with the availability of fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables, you can stock the fridge with healthy options. Be sure to keep these foods ready to grab and go. You’ll feel better about snacking when the kids are reaching for blueberries and strawberries instead of candy and cookies. Swap out the sugary, acidic soft drinks like soda and Gatorade with bottled water.

Prevent a Dental Emergency, Wear Proper Sports Gear

Between swim lessons, bike riding, baseball, gymnastics, and other outdoor activities, sometimes dental injuries can happen.
Parents can be prepared by following these simple tips:

Ensure that your child follows the “pool rules.” According to the Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), many of the summer oral injuries dentists treat are due to a pool accident. Running on slippery pool decks, diving into shallow waters or bumping the pool ledge with their mouth causes many children to either chip or knock a tooth loose.
Champion a dental emergency. Getting to the dentist right away is important, and there are things you can do to help. Use warm water and cold packs first, to clean the area and reduce swelling, respectively. Use gauze to stop any bleeding. Place a lost permanent tooth back in the mouth, if possible. If not, use salt water or milk to keep it moist for the ride to the dentist.
Pack a dental first-aid kit for vacation. Essentials for this kit, according to the AAPD, are a handkerchief, gauze, a small container with a lid, ibuprofen and your dentist’s contact information.
Summer can really throw your routine for a loop but by following these oral health tips for summer, your kids can start the school year with great oral hygiene.

Source: American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD)

Coronavirus Updates

October 23, 2020 by Madeline McGee

All of our Offices have Re-Opened as of July

Updated June 8, 2020:

Based on guidance from State officials and the departments of health, we will be opening all Children’s Dental Health offices over the coming weeks. Our offices will be opening in groups with unique opening dates.

Please refer to the list below for your local office. If you missed your appointment due to the office closures, a member of our team will be in contact to reschedule.

Currently Open for Hygiene Appointments:

Wilmington, DE – Foulk Road.
Wilmington, DE – Lancaster Pike

Opening the Week of June 15th:

Downingtown, PA
Harrisburg, PA
Lancaster, PA
Mechanicsburg, PA
Springfield, PA
Wyomissing, PA
York, PA

Opening the Week of June 22nd:

Aston, PA
Chadds Ford, PA
Easton, PA
Exton, PA
Limerick, PA
Trexlertown, PA
West Grove, PA

Opening the Week of June 29th:

Bensalem, PA
Plymouth Meeting, PA
Warrington, PA
West Philadelphia, PA

Your child’s oral health and safety remain our highest priority. You can expect the same high level of cleanliness and care in each of our offices, along with additional protocols to ensure the safety of our patients, families, and staff.

Appointment availability may be limited at first due to the backlog of missed appointments and modified office schedules. We are working diligently to see all of our patients as soon as we can while keeping everyone safe.

Select Children’s Dental Health Offices are Open for Emergent Care

Updated May 19, 2020:

State Departments of Health and Boards of Dentistry recently removed the ban on dental procedures, allowing for emergent care. As such, Children’s Dental Health will be re-opening select regional offices to perform emergency treatments where there are clear oral health concerns, or a child’s health is compromised. These offices are listed below.

Lancaster, PA: 1671 Oregon Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601
Springfield, PA: 130 S. State Road, Suite 300, Springfield, PA 19064
Wilmington, DE: 3301 Lancaster Pike, Wilmington, DE, 19805
Philadelphia, PA (Orthodontics): 2301 E Allegheny Ave, Suite 300M, Philadelphia, PA 19134
Philadelphia, PA: 2301 E Allegheny Ave, Suite 201, Philadelphia, PA 19134
(Operated by our sister company, Pediatric Dental Associates)

These treatments do not include routine hygiene examinations and cleanings. Per the Department of Health, these appointments must wait until further notice. If you had a hygiene appointment scheduled while our offices have been closed, a member of our team will contact you to reschedule the appointment.

If your child has a dental emergency, please call us at 866-KIDS-DENTAL to speak with a member of our team. We hope to see everyone when all of our offices can resume seeing patients.

Treating Dental Emergencies

While our pediatric dental offices remain closed until further notice, we are available to assess and treat dental emergencies.

In the event of a dental emergency during this time, our doctors will utilize teledentistry to assess your child’s condition. We may ask you to provide photos, videos, or use video chat like Facetime to properly recommend a treatment plan. If your child needs to come into an office for emergency treatment, additional steps and precautions will be provided for both your safety and for our doctors.

Our Offices are Closed Until Further Notice

Based on guidance from state and local governments, as well as industry leaders like the American Dental Association, we are closing all Children’s Dental Health pediatric dental offices, orthodontic locations, and surgery centers beginning Wednesday, March 18th.

Any appointments scheduled during that time will be canceled. A member of our team will be in contact soon with details. When it is deemed safe and sound to resume business operations, we will update you immediately. We thank you for your patience during this interruption and hope to see you when we re-open, happy and healthy. In the event of a dental emergency, please contact us at 1-866-KIDS-DENTAL.

Additional In-Office Precautions Due to COVID-19

Dear Patients and Parents,

We want you to know that the safety of our patients and their families is of the utmost priority to all of us at Children’s Dental Health. As recent events have made us all aware, the Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a highly contagious disease that is impacting individuals across the globe and within our local communities.

Even before these recent events, each of our pediatric dental offices abides by strict sterilization, cleanliness, and safety protocols and will continue to do so. As a supplemental measure during this period of increased caution, each of our offices is receiving additional deep cleanings and sterilizations every week.

Additional information and guidance on COVID-19 are detailed below. If you or your child are exhibiting any of these symptoms, we ask that you call us in advance to reschedule your upcoming appointment.

Symptoms

COVID-19 symptoms are similar to the cold or flu, and may take up to 14 days to appear after exposure to the virus. Be vigilant as severe cases may lead to pneumonia, kidney failure or death.

Mild symptoms may include:

Fever
Headache
Runny Nose and Sneezing
Cough and Sore Throat
Difficulty Breathing
Muscle Pain and Weakness
Chills and Fatigue
Impaired Liver and Kidney Function

Prevention

The World Health Organization (WHO) advises the following prevention methods:

Wash Hands Frequently
Use soap and water for visibly dirty hands or an alcohol-based hand rub frequently for non-visibly dirty hands.

Practice Respiratory Hygiene
When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue – discard tissue immediately into a closed bin and clean your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.

Maintain Social Distancing
Maintain at least 6 feet of distance between yourself and other people, particularly those who are coughing, sneezing and have a fever. If you are too close, you can breathe in the virus.

Avoid Touching Eyes, Nose & Mouth
Hands touch many surfaces that can be contaminated with the virus. If you touch your eyes, nose or mouth with your contaminated hands, you can transfer the virus from the surface to yourself.

Seek Medical Care Early
If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early and tell your health care provider if you have traveled in an area where the virus has been heavily reported, such as China, South Korea, or Italy; or if you have been in close contact with someone who has traveled from these infected areas and has respiratory symptoms.

Mild Symptoms
If you have mild respiratory symptoms and no travel history to or within highly infected countries, still seek medical care and be sure to carefully practice basic respiratory and hand hygiene and stay home until you are recovered, if possible.

Animal Proximity Precautions
Practice general hygiene measures when visiting farms, live animal markets, wet markets, animal product markets or contact with wild animals. Ensure regular hand washing with soap and potable water after touching animals and animal products.

Animal Consumption
Avoid eating raw or undercooked animal products. Handle raw meat, milk or animal organs with care, to avoid cross-contamination with uncooked foods, as per good food safety practices.

Additional Information

For the most up-to-date information on possible vaccines, treatments, FAQs, news and more, please visit the following official health organizations:

Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)
www.CDC.gov

World Health Organization (WHO)
www.WHO.int

Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns, please call us at 866-KIDS-DENTAL.

Homebound? How to keep the kiddos happy, healthy, and entertained

March 20, 2020 by Madeline McGee

With Coronavirus precautions in mind, parents are suddenly faced with the challenge of keeping their children occupied while they’re at home. If you’re running out of ideas on how to keep the kids busy, here are some fun options for quality family time, free activities, as well as tips on keeping your kids healthy while keeping up their day-to-day routine.

Keeping Your Family Healthy

Sing A Song While You Wash Your Hands

We know that everyone’s saying it, but that’s because it’s the most effective and easy way to stay healthy when it comes to the Coronavirus – but only if you do it right! Washing your hands for a full 20 seconds is the key part of making this an effective method.

So how can you make this fun for kids AND make sure they wash their hands for the full 20 seconds? Here are a few songs that will help you master your handwashing skills:

Sing ‘Happy Birthday’ twice
Recite ‘The Pledge of Allegiance’ twice
Sing the ‘Don’t Stop Believing’ chorus twice
Sing the ‘Santa Claus Is Coming To Town’ chorus twice

You don’t have to use ‘fancy’ soap or even antibacterial soap either! Any plain old soap will do. It’s the friction of scrubbing, and not the soap itself, that removes the germs.

Hand Sanitizer To The Rescue!

If you’re in the car or somewhere soap and water isn’t available, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is a great alternative if you can get your hands on it. It’s great to keep some in the car and do a quick spritz of sanitizer when you’re leaving or going somewhere.

Stay Indoors Except for Daily Walks or Grocery Runs

Limiting how many people you come into contact with by only going out to get groceries or exercise is a great way to practice social distancing. Try to maintain at least 6 feet distance between yourself and other people, particularly those who are coughing, sneezing or have a fever. If you are too close, you can breathe in the virus.

Cover Your Mouth When You Cough or Sneeze

We’re not saying this just because your mom told you so or because it’s good manners. If you have to cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose into your elbow or a tissue. Be sure to throw the tissue away immediately and, you guessed it, wash those hands again!

Avoid Touching Eyes, Nose & Mouth

You may have recently realized just how much you touch your face! Hands touch many surfaces that can be contaminated with the virus. If you touch your eyes, nose or mouth with your contaminated hands, you can transfer the virus from the surface to yourself.

Keep Your Family Active

Help your kids get their energy out while you get in your steps for the day and fit ‘Fido’s’ walk in while you’re at it. Go for a walk, whether it’s at your local park or just around the block. Take a basketball, frisbee, or soccer ball with you for some family fun- or better yet, have a family picnic at the park and play some games or ball while you’re out of the house.

Create a Family Schedule and Stick To It!

Homeschooling your kids while you may also be working from home is no easy task, but keeping your kids in as much of a routine as possible will make this transition much smoother! Here are some ways to get in the groove of your new family routine:

Wake up on time and start off with a healthy breakfast. Going about your usual routine, getting dressed, and drinking your coffee before getting the kids up will help set the tone of your day. Treat this time like you would a normal school week instead of making it feel like a vacation. This is key for your kids to keep their day-to-day as normal as possible. Summer will be here before you know it anyways!

Continue healthy oral habits. This is a good opportunity to teach kids about the importance of hygiene – especially oral hygiene. Continuing to take care of your child’s teeth and gums are essential to preventing the spread of bacteria. We even have some DIY activities at the bottom of this blog post that help kids understand the importance of oral health and encourage them to keep up with their tooth brushing routine.

Set a schedule and put it where the whole family can see it. A great place to put your new family schedule is on your fridge or where your kids will be doing their school work. Make sure to incorporate a little bit of everything:

Spread their school subjects out during the day– this will help the kid’s schedule not blend together, make sure to dedicate an equal amount of time to each of them
Activities and exercise – recess and PE outside
Quiet time – 30-minute nap for the little ones or reading time
Tech-time – limit their tv and computer time to an hour for some much-needed alone-time

Make this time fun for everyone! Though this time shouldn’t be treated as a vacation, take advantage of everyone being home with some quality time after the school hours have passed. Play some board games, stream a Broadway play on TV for FREE or try a new recipe that the whole family can help with. Set out any games, toys, or activities where the kids can take their pick.

Healthy eating and snacking. Have you lost track of how many times the kids have asked for a snack? One easy way to make snacking easy (and healthy) is to dedicate a small basket or bin for each child with their name on it. Put in 2-3 healthy treats for the day- this will encourage them to spread out their snacking throughout the day without having to ask you every time! A few kid-friendly yummy snack ideas are grapes, nuts, yogurt, mandarin oranges, string cheese, or pretzels!

Incorporate daily chores with a points system. List out all of the family chores- harder chores are worth more points. More points equal additional tech time or a later bedtime!

Free activity ideas for the family:

Stream a Broadway play on TV for FREE
Play board games, put together a puzzle, play charades, play hide and seek, or do a scavenger hunt
Cozy up with a book on the couch
Go for a walk or jog at the park, play frisbee, throw the ball around, or play some soccer
Build a pillow fort
Take a virtual tour of a museum or watch a live stream of penguins at the zoo
Try a new recipe with whatever ingredients you have on hand
Hold a family coloring contest
Have a family picnic on the lawn or at the park
Go ‘camping’ in the great outdoors AKA your backyard
Do crafts with random items in your junk drawer or check out our dental crafts at the bottom of this blog post
Host your own American Family Idol karaoke competition
Challenge your kids to learn a new skill – teach your kids how to sew, learn a new ‘big’ word each day, teach them how to ride a bike, practice handstands, or play chess
Make a backyard obstacle course – time to get the junk out of the garage and make some use of it in the backyard. Have the kids build their own obstacle course, race each other, and the winner gets a prize.

Fun DIY Activities to Encourage Healthy Habits

DIY Toothpaste:

4 tsp. Baking soda
1 tsp. Salt
1 tsp. Flavoring (such as peppermint extract)
Mix and store in an airtight container.
Extra fun: name your toothpaste and create a label for the container.

Plaque Attack Activity: Carefully cut the bottom off of a plastic soda bottle. Paint it white to resemble a tooth. Make a runny paste with flour and water (add food coloring if you like) and splatter it on the tooth to resemble food and plaque. Let it harden. Have children attempt to brush the flour mixture away. Show how difficult it is once it has hardened versus before it has had a chance to sit on the “tooth”.

Monster Mouth 3D Activity: Cut apart a white styrofoam egg carton to make little “teeth”. Give each child their own “tooth” and have them select a snack from a list of foods that include both tooth-friendly and unhealthy options. If they select a tooth-friendly food, use a highlighter or dry erase marker to color food spots on their tooth. If they select unhealthy food, use a Sharpie or permanent black marker to color food spots on their tooth. Now give the child a toothbrush to brush away their food spots. Explain that healthy foods are easy to brush away but the unhealthy foods are hard to brush away and can lead to cavities.

Additional Information

For the most up-to-date information on possible vaccines, treatments, FAQs, news and more, please visit the following official health organizations:

Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)

www.CDC.gov

World Health Organization (WHO)

www.WHO.int

Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns, please call us at 866-KIDS-DENTAL.

When Should My Child Have Their First Dental Appointment?

December 25, 2019 by Madeline McGee

First Tooth. First Birthday. First Dental Appointment.

As a mom or dad to your little one, you get to experience so many ‘firsts’ right alongside them. Their first word, first day of school, and even their first dental appointment. We want to make your child’s first trip to the dentist a fun and memorable one that sets the tone of healthy habits your child will retain for a lifetime.

How old should my child be when they visit the dentist?

A common question new parents ask is, “How soon should I take my child to the dentist?” According to the American Association of Pediatric Dentists, it’s recommended that kids go in for their first oral health checkup when their baby teeth first begin to emerge or by the time their first birthday comes around. Though it may seem early, this visit is essential to ensure your child doesn’t have any signs of gum or tooth decay and that their teeth are erupting and developing properly. Baby teeth can begin emerging as early as six months, so make sure their dental appointment isn’t far behind!

Did you know that tooth decay is the most common childhood disease, yet it is almost always entirely preventable? Often times, kids will come in for their first appointment at three or four years old with cavities and tooth decay that could have been prevented with a routine checkup. That’s why it’s so important to start them young!

What should I expect at my child’s first visit to the dentist?

Our doctors and staff take extra care to make sure your child has fun at their dental visit and that they’re as comfortable as possible. If your child is nervous about their first dental appointment, we always welcome parents to bring their child by our office to take a look around, meet the staff, and get acclimated to our clinic before your visit with us! If you think this would help your child, feel free to give us a call to schedule a tour of our office.

At your child’s dental appointment, a hygienist will:

Examine and clean your baby’s teeth
Show you how to play a role in properly cleaning your baby’s teeth (we know it’s not always easy with those tiny little mouths!),
Discuss diet and fluoride needs
Recommend oral care products.

Your dentist will then join you and your baby. They will:

Examine your baby’s mouth closely to check for any tooth decay
Share any concerns they may have regarding your baby’s oral development.
Answer all of your questions regarding your baby’s teeth and oral development.

At your child’s first dental appointment, the doctor may conduct what we call a knee-to-knee exam. This technique will help your child feel even more comfortable since they’ll be laid in your lap as we go through their oral health checkup. Your baby’s visit will conclude by us providing a patient dental health bag, complete with a specially-sized infant or toddler toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss. Find out more about what to expect when accompanying your child to their dental checkup.

Ready to get your child’s smile on track?

To schedule your child’s first appointment, give us a call at 1-(866) KIDS-DENTAL.

Children’s Dental Health Celebrates Continued Growth & Second Wilmington, DE Office

June 5, 2019 by Madeline McGee

On Saturday, June 1st, Children’s Dental Health celebrated the official grand opening of its first Wilmington, Delaware office at 3301 Lancaster Pike, mere hours after announcing its acquisition of a second Wilmington office located at 708 Foulk Road.

Dr. Anthony Monteiro, D.M.D. cuts the ribbon of Children’s Dental Health’s new pediatric dental office at 3301 Lancaster Pike in Wilmington, Delaware. Dr. Monteiro is joined by his family, members of the Children’s Dental Health team, and the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce.

The team at Children’s Dental Health of Wilmington unveiled its new, state-of-the-art Lancaster Pike office at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 1st. Families from the community enjoyed games, prizes, tours of the new office, as well as a live broadcast from 99.5 WJBR. Guests were treated to sausages and sandwiches from next door neighbor, Maiale, “The Sausage King of Delaware.” Members of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce also showed their support in attending the event.

Children’s Dental Health’s new office on Foulk Road, formerly Delaware Kids Dental Center, provides greater access to dental care for the families of Greater Wilmington and the communities of New Castle County. Patients can expect to see various technological and clinical upgrades to the office in the coming months, including digital x-rays and streamlined patient communication.

With already more than 20 pediatric dental offices across Pennsylvania, Children’s Dental Health is growing rapidly, as demonstrated by the continued expansion into Delaware. Both Wilmington offices are accepting new patients. Our doctors and pediatric dental specialists strive to provide a welcoming, kid-friendly, colorful atmosphere for both our patients and our parents.

“Tooth decay is the most common chronic early childhood disease in the United States,” said Dr. Anthony Monteiro, D.M.D., the primary pediatric dentist at both Delaware offices. “It’s our mission to reverse that trend, beginning with the families in our communities. We want every child to have a dental home by their first birthday or first tooth so we can help create lifelong oral health habits.”

Children’s Dental Health has been providing quality pediatric dental care to the community for more than 40 years. With more than 20 practices and pediatric dentists located throughout Pennsylvania and Delaware, we allow for convenient access to dental care that is engaging, fun, and educational for patients. With our “show, tell, do” method, our growing patients actively learn routines to ensure a healthy smile for years to come. To schedule your child’s appointment, fill out the form below or call 1-(866) KIDS-DENTAL.

Dangers of Teething Jewelry

February 27, 2019 by Madeline McGee

In recent years, the trend of using special necklaces, bracelets, and other jewelry designed for chewing has become a ready source of relief for parents of teething toddlers or those with special needs. The problem is that, recently, the FDA has warned that these items are not necessarily safe.

What The FDA Has to Say About Teething Jewelry

In a December 2018 Public Safety release, the FDA warns parents and caregivers that much of what is being sold as “teething jewelry” may not be safe for young children or those with special needs who may be seeking a sensory stimulation aid. Often made from materials like amber, wood, marble, or silicone, these necklaces and bracelets are not made of the traditional and more durable hard plastic or rubber found in teething rings, and have been increasingly found to be a choking hazard, a strangulation hazard, or a source of injury and infection to the mouth and gums—even when used according to manufacturer’s suggested uses. This warning also extends to commercially available teething creams, gels, and sprays.

Why is Teething Jewelry Risky?

Citing a number of well-documented cases where choking or strangulation occurred as a direct result of using teething jewelry, the FDA points to the unique materials often used in these special pieces as a source of the risk. The suggestion is that these less-durable alternatives to the plastic and rubber found in traditional infant-teething devices can break down and break off in the user’s mouth. Similarly, the fastening systems and binding agents used can be an ill-fit for young wearers and, when coupled with the stress and strain of use, can cause a strangulation risk. Even if the item is used properly and does not break down, the risk of injury and infection remains high given the direct path that contaminants are given to the body through oral contact.

Proponents of these items (also often retail providers of the items) provide lots of counter-warning opinions—even going as far as to suggest that the Succinic acid (present in the Baltic amber used for these pieces) provides not only teething relief through manipulation but also an analgesic agent when absorbed through the mouth. This claim is entirely unsubstantiated by the FDA, and only addresses one of a number of manufacturing approaches for these items. The bottom line is that, whether through improper use or substandard manufacturing, these items can present a genuine risk to users. When alternative options exist, we just don’t see the point of taking such a risk.

Safe Solutions to Relieve Teething Pain

You’ll be pleased to hear that among all of the warnings associated with alleviating teething pain, we’re happy to share a number of alternatives to teething jewelry you can use to bring about the relief you’re seeking for your little one:

Talk to your pediatric dentist about manual massage techniques for the gums and teeth to relieve pain from pressure and swelling
Use teething rings or other approved teething items made of a firm rubber—just be sure that they are only used under caregiver supervision, and that the material is not frozen or too rigid (as this rigidity can cause oral injury).
Use a cold, wet washcloth with gentle pressure to relieve local pain.
Make regularly scheduled appointments with a qualified pediatric dentist to be proactive with your oral health habits and prevent pain-causing conditions from developing.

For more information on this, view our post The Symptoms and Ways To Ease Baby Teething. And don’t forget your child should visit the dentist by the age of 1!