Athletics and

Teeth

When your child is involved in athletics, there is always an element of risk. But there are ways to minimize the risk, and ensure your kids are protected by the best possible equipment.

A perfect example—the mouthguard. Whether it’s lacrosse, hockey or any other contact sport, the mouthguard is the one piece of equipment between your child’s teeth and an unfortunate accident.

Though many people opt for the inexpensive, store-bought varieties, there is no substitute for a customized mouthguard, like the ones offered by The Rothenberg Dental Group.

Ways a Custom-Fitted Mouthguard Helps Your Child

- Perfect Fit: Because it’s made directly from a mold of your child’s teeth, it is guaranteed to fit perfectly, without any bulky discomfort
- Increased Comfort: Unlike store-bought mouthguards, a custom-fitted model does not interfere with speaking or breathing
- Better Protection: Made from a more resilient material, custom-fitted mouthguards provide better protection during athletic events
- Custom Colors and Patterns Available: To increase compliance

Mouthguard Care

To increase the lifespan of your custom-fitted Rothenberg Dental Group mouthguard, you should follow these simple precautions:
- After use, rinse in cool water to remove saliva and debris
- Occasional cleaning and disinfect with a mild soapy solution
- Store in a rigid, well-ventilated container

Children’s Dentistry:

First Visit

What You Need to Know About Your Child’s First Trip to the Dentist

Your child’s first visit to the dentist is an opportunity to kick off a lifetime of good oral health and hygiene. And the most important decision you make is choosing the right dentist. For people in the Florham Park/Morris and Essex County area, The Rothenberg Dental Group makes that an easy decision. We are a true Family Dentistry, and have years and years of experience caring for children’s teeth. We know what it takes to help kids develop good oral hygiene habits. And it begins at a young age.

Even though your child’s baby teeth may not be there forever, they’re more important than you may think. They play an essential part in guiding adult teeth into their proper positions. That’s a big reason why it’s so important to start developing good habits and to find a dental home. Regular dental visits starting around age two is very important.

It’s never too early to develop good habits. Here are some tips from The Rothenberg Dental Group for instilling a positive attitude towards their dental visits.

1. Only Discuss the Positive: Children look to their parents for cues on how to react. So refrain from bringing up any negative experiences you ever had at the dentist (admittedly, this is easier if you’re a patient of ours).
2. Morning Visits Are Best: In our extensive experience, we’ve found that sleepy, hungry children are not the most receptive patients. Which is why early morning appointments are best for young children.
3. Checkups Twice per Year: Though every child is different, a good rule of thumb is generally to schedule two preventive visits per year for children of all ages.
4. First Visit Is Crucial: In addition to getting your child familiar with The Rothenberg Dental Group, that first visit is when we conduct a thorough exam, to check for decay, as well as measure tooth and bone structure development.
5. Fluoride, Fluoride, Fluoride: Start your child with fluoride treatments to help prevent cavities at a young age.

Children’s Dentistry:

Fluoride and Its Benefits

If you’re like most people, you know that fluoride has something to do with healthy teeth. Beyond that, it’s a bit of a mystery. At the Rothenberg Dental Group, we want everyone to understand the importance of fluoride to strong, healthy teeth.

The Best Defense Against Tooth Decay

Fluoride is a mineral that our bodies use as a nutrient for growth and maturation. It’s a natural component of our teeth and bones. It’s also found in water, dietary supplements, certain mouth rinses, and of course, toothpaste.

When young teeth develop, fluoride enters the enamel-forming cells and works to strengthen the tooth’s outer surface against acid breakdown.

Fast Facts About Fluoride:

- Today, over 50% of America drinks fluorinated tap water

- Studies show that children who drink fluorinated water (.7—1.2 parts per million) have 50 to 65% fewer cavities

- Adults can also strengthen their tooth enamel with fluoride

- Fluoride disrupts the proliferation of bacteria that causes periodontal disease

- Fluoride is an essential element for good oral hygiene. But it must be combined with regular brushing, flossing, a balanced diet and regular dental checkups

Children’s Dentistry:

Nursing Bottle Mouth

How To Prevent Nursing Bottle Mouth Syndrome

Sometimes, even the most cautious young parents can inadvertently put their child’s health at risk. A far too common example is Nursing Bottle Mouth Syndrome—and it can happen to just about every infant. If your child is displaying signs of tooth decay, please make an appointment with us. We are a true Family Practice,that knows how to protect young teeth, and keep children relaxed during examinations.

What Is Nursing Bottle Mouth Syndrome?

When parents allow their infant or toddler to go to sleep with a bottle of juice or any other sugary liquid. Since sleeping children do not swallow frequently, the liquid from the bottle pools in the child’s mouth, literally bathing their young teeth in sugar. The sugar forms plaque, and attacks the tooth enamel, leading to rampant cavities. And the worst part is, the most vulnerable teeth are the most visible: the upper front.

How To Prevent Nursing Bottle Mouth Syndrome:

- Never put a child to sleep with a bottle containing any sugary liquid - If your child will not sleep without a bottle (either at bedtime or naptime) make sure it’s only plain water
- Do not give your child a pacifier that has been dipped in any sugary liquid
- Start good oral hygiene habits early - begin brushing with a soft toothbrush when teeth first break through the gums
- Make sure your child gets the fluoride necessary to strengthen teeth against decay.

Children’s Dentistry:

pregnancy

How To Care For Your Teeth (and Your Baby’s) During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, it’s been said that moms-to-be are supposed to “eat for two.” Unfortunately, that oversimplifies an enormously complex issue. So, what should pregnant women do to ensure optimum health—and of course, dental health—for themselves and their child? The Rothenberg Dental Group created this page as a resource to provide much-needed guidance for pregnant women, and how they should handle dental care during pregnancy.

Balance Is Key

Because of the increase of hormonal levels during pregnancy, pre-existing dental problems can be exacerbated. For example, gingivitis (gum disease) can occur more frequently. The best way to reduce this is by maintaining good home care. It may be necessary to have your teeth professionally cleaned more frequently during pregnancy depending on your gingival health.

Prenatal Tooth Development

The nutrients you consume during pregnancy will affect the development of your child’s teeth and your overall health.

While in the womb, your baby’s teeth begin to develop during the second trimester of pregnancy. A lack of a balanced diet during these critical months in your baby’s development can result in abnormal tooth development.

Important Things to Know About Your Teeth During Pregnancy

- Many dentists recommend that routine procedures be postponed until the end of the first trimester to avoid any physical or emotional stress during this critical time
- Sitting in a dentist chair for extended periods of time during the last few weeks of pregnancy can be uncomfortable
- The “sweet spot” for dental visits during pregnancy are the fourth through sixth month.

Children’s Dentistry:

Sealants

What You Need to Know About Sealants

Interested in a great way to protect your children’s teeth against decay? Sealants may be exactly what you’re looking for. Sealants—an opaque or transparent resin that bonds to the chewing surface of back teeth—are designed to block many of the pits and fissures of molars and premolars. The result: a barrier between your child’s vulnerable molars and the bacteria that causes decay (such as plaque).

The Sealant Process

The Rothenberg Dental Group has a long history of protecting children’s teeth with sealants, and we recommend that most children get them. Application is quick and easy, and completed in short appointments. They’re applied in a series of steps:

1. Thorough cleaning of teeth to be sealed.
2. Occlusal (top) surface is treated with a mild etching solution that prepares the enamel surface, making it easier for the sealant to bond.
3. The sealant is applied with a brush or dropper.
4. No anesthesia is necessary; the procedure is painless.

When complete, the back teeth will have a protective barrier that can last for years before replacement is necessary. They play a significant preventive role in reducing tooth decay.

Sealants offer powerful protection for vulnerable teeth. They’re one of the best ways to ensure your child’s teeth are as strong and healthy as possible for years at a time.