"I cannot speak more highly
of our experience with Park
Avenue Pediatric Dentistry. Our
daughter needed to go under
sedation at the age of 4 years old.
The staff could not have been
more reassuring. They thoroughly
explained the procedure and were
available for any questions.
Because of their kindness and
professionalism, our daughter
was unafraid."
-S. Hurst

"The entire sedation experience was
excellent, from the initial explanation
of how the procedure would be handled,
to follow-up phone calls to ascertain
further questions and to check in to
make sure our daughter had not
developed a cold prior to the scheduled
day, to the way in which the (person
who administered the sedative dentist)
explained everything to our daughter
and offered support to a mother
who found she was quietly becoming
more nervous than she had expected
while in the waiting room."
-Y. Pomerantz

Oral Hygiene

Brushing

Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and a small strip of fluoride toothpaste, unless the child is under the age of 2. If a child is younger than age 3, parents should clean their child’s teeth with water and a soft-bristled toothbrush. After age 2 parents should supervise brushing. Use no more than a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and make sure children do not swallow excess toothpaste.

When you brush your teeth, move the brush in small circular motions to reach food particles that may be under your gum line. Hold the toothbrush at an angle and brush slowly and carefully, covering all areas between teeth and the surface of each tooth. It will take you several minutes to thoroughly brush your teeth. Brush up on the lower teeth, down on the upper teeth and the outside, inside and chewing surface of all of your front and back teeth. Brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth before you rinse.

Brush your teeth three times daily to avoid the accumulation of food particles and plaque:

In the morning after breakfast
After lunch or right after school
At bedtime

As soon as the bristles start to wear down or fray, replace your toothbrush with a new one. Do not swallow any toothpaste; rinse your mouth thoroughly with water after you finish brushing. It is important to carefully floss and brush daily for optimal oral hygiene.

Flossing

For areas between the teeth that a toothbrush can’t reach, dental floss is used to remove food particles and plaque. Dental floss is a thin thread of waxed nylon that is used to reach below the gum line and clean between teeth. It is very important to floss between your teeth every day. Your pediatric dentist will tell you at the time of evaluation at what age your child should start flossing. There are many new dental floss holders designed for children, even some with fluoride. For teenagers with braces there are even electric flossers. It is very important for teenagers to floss as this age group tends to begin to form in-between cavities that flossing can help prevent.

Floss at night to make sure your teeth are squeaky clean before you go to bed. When you first begin flossing, your gums may bleed a little. If the bleeding does not go away after the first few times, let a staff member know at your next appointment.