"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

 Common Problems

 Common Problems

Tooth Decay

Caries, or tooth decay, is a preventable disease. While caries might not endanger your life, they may negatively impact your quality of life. When your teeth and gums are consistently exposed to large amounts of starches and sugars, acids may form that begin to eat away at tooth enamel. Carbohydrate-rich foods such as candy, cookies, soft drinks and even fruit juices leave deposits on your teeth. Those deposits bond with the bacteria that normally survive in your mouth and form plaque. The combination of deposits and plaque forms acids that can damage the mineral structure of teeth, with tooth decay resulting.

Sensitive Teeth

Your teeth expand and contract in reaction to changes in temperature. Hot and cold food and beverages can cause pain or irritation to people with sensitive teeth. Over time, tooth enamel can be worn down, gums may recede or teeth may develop microscopic cracks, exposing the interior of the tooth and irritating nerve endings. Just breathing cold air can be painful for those with extremely sensitive teeth.

Gum Disease

Gum, or periodontal, disease can cause inflammation, tooth loss and bone damage. Children can have gingivitis from too much plaque, but rarely have periodontal disease. Gum disease begins with a sticky film of bacteria called plaque. Gums in the early stage of disease, or gingivitis, can bleed easily and become red and swollen. As the disease progresses to periodontitis, teeth may fall out or need to be removed by a dentist. Gum disease is highly preventable and can usually be avoided by daily brushing and flossing. One indicator of gum disease is consistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth.

Bad Breath (Halitosis)

Daily brushing and flossing helps to prevent the buildup of food particles, plaque and bacteria in your mouth. Food particles left in the mouth deteriorate and cause bad breath. While certain foods, such as garlic or anchovies, may create temporary bad breath, consistent bad breath may be a sign of gum disease or other medical problem. In many children bad breath may be due to allergies, sinus problems or tonsil and adenoid issues.

Canker Sores

Canker sores (aphthous ulcers) are small sores inside the mouth that often reoccur. Generally lasting one or two weeks, the duration of canker sores can be reduced by the use of antimicrobial mouthwashes or topical agents. The canker sore has a white or gray base surrounded by a red border.

Orthodontic Problems

A bite that does not meet properly (a malocclusion) can be inherited, or some types may be acquired. Some causes of malocclusion include missing or extra teeth, crowded teeth or misaligned jaws. Accidents or developmental issues, such as finger or thumb sucking over an extended period of time, may cause malocclusions.