We have extensive training and experience in treating medically complex and children with special needs. If your child has medical, physical or emotional special needs, you can be assured that they are in the best hands. Every child should have the opportunity to receive the best care possible. We work as a team with our patients’ parents to make sure their children have a comfortable dental experience. Our office is handicap accessible. Little Smiles of Port Washington – A Dental365 Company welcomes you to discuss any specific questions you may have regarding your child.

The AAPD recommends dental check-ups twice a year, more if your child is at increased risk for tooth decay, has unusual growth patterns, or poor oral hygiene. It is important to have regular dental exams to help protect your child’s teeth and oral health. Routine check-ups provide our office with an opportunity to detect problems early, when they are most treatable, and provide tips for caring for your child’s teeth. It has been shown that early dental visits decrease dental costs in the future. During the dental appointment, your child’s teeth will be cleaned and evaluated for tooth decay. A fluoride treatment will be applied to reduce the risk of decay. If needed, your child will have a dental x-ray or other diagnostic procedures.  

It is important for you and your child to understand preventative care. During each visit, our staff will go over proper flossing/brushing techniques and provide fluoride treatments. In addition, we will discuss healthy oral habits, proper diet, and if necessary, we will discuss sealants, sports safety, and orthodontics.

Fillings

Dentists have been repairing decayed teeth for generations. Although the ADA confirms that both silver-colored (amalgam) and white fillings (composite resins) are safe and affordable, more patients opt for the latter to improve their smile.  At Little Smiles of Port Washington – A Dental365 Company, white fillings are used. With a good color match, it is nearly impossible to see that the tooth has been restored. These fillings bond directly to the tooth. They are strong, resistant to wear and hold up for several years or longer.  

Cosmetic Bonding

If your child is faced with chipped, cracked, misshapen, stained or large gaps between teeth, our doctors may recommend a cosmetic dental bonding procedure. Dental bonding is a special bonded, esthetic filling that helps restore and reshape your child’s tooth to improve both the appearance and function of your child’s smile. Dental bonding material made of a composite resin that is bonded to an existing tooth and the procedure is quick, making it a quick and ideal way to enhance a child’s smile.

Pulp Therapy for Baby Teeth

In some cases, a child may have a cavity that involves the nerves within their tooth.  We are experienced in Indirect Pulp Therapy (root canal prevention) and Pulpotomies (ie. baby root canal) that will help restore your child’s tooth until the permanent tooth comes in.

Space Maintainers

Primary or baby teeth are very important, as they act as a space holder for Secondary or Adult teeth. If a baby tooth needs to be extracted earlier than it is supposed to fall out on its own, there may be future issues with lost space. This is why it is important to have an experienced pediatric dentist evaluate your child for Space Maintainers. Depending on the location of the lost tooth and a variety of other factors, our dentists can recommend treatment plans that are right for your child.

Crowns for Baby Teeth

If your child’s tooth has been severely decayed, damaged or cracked, a crown may be necessary. The decay will be removed from the affected tooth and your child’s tooth will be fitted for the appropriate sized and shaped crown. Depending on the location of the crown, the dentist will discuss whether or not your child should opt for a stainless steel or tooth-colored, porcelain crown. Crowns for baby molars are typically made of stainless steel, as they are the most durable option and protects your child’s tooth until it is ready to fall out. 

Sealants

Sealants are thin, protective coatings applied to grooves and pitted surfaces in the back teeth (molars and premolars), where 80% of cavities in children are found. Even when your child is a diligent brusher and flosser, these areas are difficult to clean on certain teeth. When bacteria builds up in these areas, they become more prone to tooth decay. Dental sealants act as a barrier to food, plaque and acid, which protect the areas of the teeth that are most prone to decay. Sealants can last for many years when properly cared for. Our team will discuss if sealants are recommended for your child and check them during routine visits to determine if re-application or repair are necessary.

Whitening

For older children (once patients have all adult teeth), we offer both in-office whitening and professional take-home whitening trays. Discuss your goals with our doctors and together, you can determine the right option for your child.

Sedation Dentistry

Our staff at Little Smiles of Port Washington – A Dental365 Company will do everything possible during their patient’s visit to make them as comfortable as possible. In some cases, however, children may have more severe dental anxiety or a strong gag-reflex. Our office provides nitrous oxide (laughing gas) that can be administered during any appointment in our office to help ease your child during their visit. With nitrous oxide, your child will remain conscious throughout the entire treatment. After any dental procedures, oxygen will be administered to flush out any remaining gas. Effects of nitrous oxide wear off almost immediately and children can return to normal activities following treatment.

Emergency Dentistry

Stay rest-assured that in the event of a dental emergency, even after hours, our team is available for you and your child. If your child or teen has a permanent (adult) tooth that falls out, hold the tooth by the crown and if possible, put it back in the socket. If this is not possible, keep the tooth in milk and NOT water. Dr. Lynda is experienced in treating tooth fractures, teeth that have been knocked out, or misplaced. Your child is in the best hands!

Mouth Guards

According to the American Dental Association, athletes who do not wear mouth guards are 60 times more likely to damage their teeth. Yet, in a survey commissioned by the American Academy of Orthodontics, 67% of parents admitted that their children do not wear a mouthguard during organized sports. Should your child ever have a sports-related injury to the mouth, a properly fitted mouthguard can prevent many accidents and trauma. Little Smiles of Port Washington – A Dental365 Company is happy to discuss the benefits and fabricate a custom-fitted mouthguard for your child.

Dental Abscesses

Dental abscesses can occur when the nerve (dental pulp) becomes infected. These infections typically occur when a cavity is untreated and bacteria spreads deep into the tooth. If left untreated, an abscess can progress to a serious, life-threatening bacterial infection throughout the body. If your child has pain at night, including facial swelling or a pimple on their gums, contact the office immediately.

Laser Frenectomy

What is a tongue-tie?

Tongue-ties are an unusual band of tissue that tethers the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth that restricts the tongue’s range of motion. Some problems that may occur with uncorrected tongue-tie:

• Inability to open mouth widely, leading to speech or eating habit issues
• Clicking or pain in jaw joints
• Protrusion (sticking forward) of lower jaws
• Effects on social situations 
• Dental health issues such as inflamed gums, increased need for periodontal surgery

What is a lip-tie?

Lip-ties occur when the upper lip remains attached to the upper gum. Uncorrected lip-ties may lead to:

• Issues with spacing between maxillary central incisors (large gap called diastema can form)
• Difficulties brushing and flossing
• Increased risk of dental decay
• Repeated trauma to the maxillary frenum
• Inability to adequately protrude lip forward and upward properly

Newborns and infants with tongue and/or lip ties may have significant problems breastfeeding—and as a result, your child may experience a failure to thrive. These infants may lose weight, get sleepy during feedings, become gassy and irritable, and experience blisters on the lips. Infants with tongue/lip ties tend to feed more frequently due to inefficient feedings, which results in less intake of milk.

Mothers who try to breastfeed their infant with these issues may suffer tremendously while attempting to feed their child. In addition to severe discomfort while breastfeeding, risks of breast infection can increase and milk supply can be greatly reduced due to an inefficient latch.  

Toddlers and older children with tongue or lip-tie may have speech and social issues.

At Little Smiles of Port Washington – Dr. Alec Ganci is experienced in releasing tongue-ties and lip-ties using Laser Frenectomy. During this procedure, your child will wear protective eye gear and tongue-tie or lip-tie will be released using a soft-tissue laser with minimal discomfort. There is almost no bleeding and the laser sterilizes at touch, leaving less risk for an infection. If your child receiving the frenectomy is an infant and nursing, almost immediately following the procedure, mothers are welcome – and encouraged - to breastfeed their infant. Some mothers may experience immediate relief during the first feeding after a laser frenectomy; however, do not be alarmed if latching is difficult at first.

After the procedure, Dr. Ganci will send parents home with resources for post-operative care, including wound-management and stretching exercises to help ensure the tongue-tie or lip-tie does not reattach.

Note: Prior to any tongue/lip tie release, thorough evaluations and consults will be  completed by other medical providers, such as a pediatrician, lactation consultant, speech pathologist, or an ENT.

Little Smiles of Port Washington – A Dental365 Company not only provides a comfortable environment and optimal experience for your child, but we are also invested in the latest dental technologies. Our office uses:

• Intra-oral digital cameras to monitor your child’s mouth with the ability to show patients and their parents exactly what the doctor sees during the visit.  
• No more goop! In the past, taking an impression was an uncomfortable process involving placing a goopy material in the patient’s mouth. Patients would need to bite down for five minutes and often times would make patients gag. Digital Impressions are more accurate, more comfortable and take molds of the mouth for many procedures without the need for making a physical mold and mailing it to a lab. This equipment is essentially a wand that takes a digital image of your mouth, creating 3D renderings. It also is able to analyze the colors of your teeth so that a perfect match can be made. In addition, digital impressions are able to be sent electronically to our labs, yielding faster, more streamlined delivery.

Our office uses digital x-rays, with the benefit of immediate viewing of the imaged area. These x-rays allow our doctors the ability to digitally enhance/zoom in on areas of the image for more accurate diagnosis. In addition, there is significantly less radiation exposure when using digital x-rays.

Carefully time your child’s visit. Scheduling dental exams at a time of day when they feel most rested will help provide a more cooperative, happy visit!

Be positive. When talking to your child about their upcoming appointment, talk to them about the special fun tools their dentist will use to keep their child’s teeth healthy. Don’t mention any negative dental experiences you may have had in the past and don’t use any negative terminology (ie. needle, shot, hurt, etc).

Listen to your child. Encourage your child to share their worries about visiting the dentist or having their dental exam. 

How old should my child be when I bring them to their first dental appointment?

It is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) to bring your child to the dentist by age 1. Starting this relationship early will lead to healthy oral health habits for life!

When should I stop my child’s thumb sucking/pacifier habit?

It is recommended by the AAPD to stop oral habits, such as using a pacifier or thumb sucking by age 3. Patients who continue these oral habits for longer may be putting their bite at risk. During your dental appointment, Dr. Lynda can provide you with tips to help motivate your child to stop their habit.

During my child’s visit, am I allowed in the exam room?

Absolutely! Parents are welcome in the exam room during their child’s dental visit. This also gives parents a chance to discuss any questions they may have directly with our doctors.

Why are baby teeth so important?

Baby teeth are important to your child’s health and development. Not only do they help your child to chew, speak and smile, they also hold space in your child’s jaws for permanent teeth that grow underneath the gums. When a baby tooth is lost before they are naturally ready, permanent teeth can drift into the empty space and make it difficult for other adult teeth to find room when coming in.  The result can be crooked or crowded teeth. Starting your child off with good oral health habits can protect teeth for decades to come.

What is the best toothpaste for my child?

The best toothpaste for children are toothpastes with fluoride and the ADA seal of approval stamped on them.  

How much toothpaste should I use?

Once your child has a tooth, you should be brushing them twice a day with a smear of fluoride toothpaste (the size of a grain of rice). Remember not to put your baby to bed with a bottle, which can lead to tooth decay. 

Once your child turns 3, the AAPD recommends a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste to be used when brushing. It is best if you put the toothpaste on the toothbrush and help them brush their teeth until about age 6 or when they are able to tie their shoes on their own. Even after they turn 6, parents should monitor and assist until they are around 7 or 8 years old.

When will my child get their first teeth?

Every baby is different, but a first tooth typically appears around 6 months old.  In most cases, the first teeth to come in are the lower central incisors (lower front teeth) and most children will usually have all of their baby teeth by age 3.   

What is the best way to prevent cavities?

Good hygiene: Help your child brush their teeth twice a day for 2 minutes with a fluoride toothpaste. Children will only have the dexterity to brush on their own when they can tie shoes on their own, so parents need to help their children brush their teeth.

Healthy Diet: Limit your child’s sugar consumption. Bacteria formed from sugar are known to cause cavities. Fruit juices, sweetened beverages and candy have high contents of sugar. And…be wary of sticky snacks (like fruit snacks and dried fruit) that stick to grooves in teeth and cause cavities.

Caregiver Oral health: Did you know that kissing a baby can transmit bacteria that cause cavities? It is important for expecting parents to have a good health status before their child is born. Bacteria can be transferred from their caregiver to infant through saliva.

Why are dental x-rays important?

Our doctors wants to provide the best possible oral health care for your child.  Visual examinations do not always tell us everything we need to know. Dental X-Rays (radiographs) are images of your teeth that dentists use to evaluate your oral health. They can help accurately diagnose dental issues before they become more serious. Dental X-Rays also give the ability to see between and inside your teeth and below your child’s gumline that are not visible to the naked eye. By reviewing comprehensive x-rays, your child’s dentist is able to diagnose any specific or isolated dental problems your child may be experiencing and prevent dental issues from progressing. Our doctors only takes X-rays when they are needed.

When and where are the most common dental injuries?

Most injuries to baby teeth occur during the toddler years when children are learning to walk and lack good coordination. In permanent dentition, the most common age for dental trauma is from ages 8-11. The central incisors (top front teeth) are most frequently affected.

What should I do if my child knocks out a tooth?

If your child has a knocked-out permanent (adult) tooth, hold the tooth by the crown and if possible, put it back in the socket.  If this is not possible, keep the tooth in milk and NOT water. Contact the office immediately. Stay rest-assured that in the event of a dental emergency, even after hours, our team is available for you and your child.