February 2015
In This Issue
Contact Uscontactus

Address:
808 Floral Vale Blvd.
Yardley, PA  19067
 
Phone
(215) 860-9808
 
Email:

Our hours are:
Mon. - 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Tues. - 8a.m. - 5 p.m. 
Wed. - 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. 
Thurs. - 8a.m. - 5 p.m. 
Fri.- 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. (phone calls only)
Saturday - 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.* 
(*one Saturday per month)
 
Click here for a map to our office. 
Spread the word about
Growing Smiles!



Like us on Facebook
galaYou're Invited to
"A Gala for Smiles":
A Fundraising Event
to Save Smiles of Peruvian Orphans
  

For the past two summers, students from Temple's Kornberg School of Dentistry, led by Dr. Sheryl Radin's daughter, Bari Levine, a student in the Doctorate of Dental Medicine-Master of Public Health (DMD-MPH) dual-degree program, have traveled to La Ventanilla, Peru, to provide needed oral healthcare to children at La Sagrada Familia orphanage.

In addition to raising money and recruiting fellow Temple dental students, Bari has made the project a family affair by involving her parents, Dr. Radin and Dr. Robert Levine and brother, Dr. Ross Levine.  A 2015 mission is planned for July 10-17.

A fundraising event organized by Bari for the 2015 trip, "A Gala for Smiles" is planned for Saturday evening, March 21, 2015 at 6:00 PM at Spring Mill Manor, Ivyland, PA.

Click here for an invitation to the event, or if unable to attend, an opportunity to donate to this worthy cause. Your support will make a real difference in the lives of these children.

For more information, please contact Bari Levine at [email protected] or visit www.growingsmilesfoundation.org.

giveawayMeet the Winners of Our Latest Giveaways!

Congratulations to 5 year-old
A.J. Champion (pictured with Dr. Radin), winner of the December gift basket.  A.J. was so excited to win the basket and was looking forward to playing with all of the games inside!

 
Congratulations to Robert LaBar,
(pictured above with his
6 year-old daughter, Alexis,
winner of our FaceBook contest!  Robert won a gift basket containing gift cards to Hand & Stone Massage and Facial SpaThank you to all who entered! 
 questionforradinQ&A with
Dr. Sheryl Radin

In each issue, we will feature a frequently-asked question to Dr. Radin and her staff. 

"Is it ok for my child to use mouthwash?"

"If you'd like to add a mouthwash or rinse to your child's oral care routine, it's important not to give it to a child under the age of 6, due to the fact that they may swallow it by mistake. If your child is over the age of 6, you need to be aware of just what a mouthwash or rinse does. Some freshen breath, provide an anti-cavity benefit from fluoride, or contain germ-killing ingredients to help prevent plaque buildup.

 

You have many options, and the right mouthwash or rinse for your child is the one that meets his or her dental hygiene needs and taste preference.

 

To help choose the right rinse, keep these points in mind:

 

Alcohol-yes or no? Alcohol- based mouthwashes have antiseptic properties which kills germs.  This type of mouthwash is recommended for children 12 years and older.  Alcohol is a component of many mouthwashes and rinses, which can problematic if a large quantity is deliberately swallowed.   If you want to buy one type of mouthwash or rinse for the whole family, and your household includes school-aged children or teens, you may want to choose from among the alcohol-free mouthwash products that are available.

 

Sensitivity. Some kids find the ingredients in mouthwash irritating, especially for those who have sensitive gums. If your child tends to have a sensitive mouth, consider an alcohol-free or natural mouthwash. Natural mouthwashes often contain ingredients such as aloe vera and chamomile for a soothing effect.   

 

Fluoride Rinses.  Rinses containing fluoride are recommended for children 6 years and over. If your child has a high risk for caries (cavities), a fluoride rinse may be beneficial. 

 
Looking for more information regarding dental issues?  Please refer to the  FAQ section on our website.  
 
 


Kids enjoy all the fun that comes with winter (ice-skating, sledding and lots of snow, of course!), but if you're feeling a bit of the winter blues, we have just the cure for you...laughter.

Our Peru Dental Mission in cooperation with Temple Dental School, invites you to "A Gala for Smiles" featuring two stand-up comedians, silent auction and dinner on Saturday  March 21,2015  at 6:00 pm.
The Gala fundraiser helps provide dental care and education to hundreds of orphans in Peru. Please mark your calendar and accept our invitation to this special evening. 

TMJ, although most commonly thought of as a disorder affecting only adults, can present in children at an early age. The symptoms for children may be milder than what adults experience, but unfortunately, if undiagnosed and left untreated, the symptoms and condition increase with age. Find out more by reading  TMJ Symptoms in Kids as the earlier the problem is diagnosed and treated, the better the results.

Parents know how important oral health is for children. We encourage brushing in the morning, after sticky snacks, and again before bedtime. Some children will even relish a night of flossing with flavorful dental floss.

But what about mouthwash for kids? Can they use it? More importantly, should they use it?  Find out my answer in this month's Q&A column. 

 

Babies will pull on their ears, that's a fact. It becomes a problem though when you see them continuously pulling and poking at their ears. How do you know if it's infected or not? You may find yourself wondering, is this pain caused by teething, or is it an ear infection?  Click here to help you sort through the guesswork of this common problem. 

 

Wishing you and your family a Happy Valentine's Day!

 

Sincerely,
 
Dr. Sheryl Radin and Staff at
TMJ Symptoms in Kidstmj

TMJ refers to the Temporomandibular Joint. It indicates the temple area and the mandible or lower jaw. TMJ is the medical condition which affects the joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull. If you place your fingers lightly in front of your ear and open your mouth, you can feel the ends of the lower jaw. These rounded ends move along the socket of the temporal bone which encompasses the temple and has within it the inner ear. This disorder is also called TMD.

 

TMJ or jaw pain symptoms in children

This malady can affect children at any age but it is more prevalent in teenagers and girls. It starts with soreness in the jaw but at times this pain becomes intense and lingers. Chewing becomes difficult and even smiling and breathing cause an increase in the pain. Treatment is required for this condition. Other common symptoms are:

  • Clicking or popping sound when the mouth is opened or closed. If there are no other symptoms, treatment may not be prescribed.
  • Pain around the ear, jaw joints, neck and shoulders. There may be pain in the muscles of the face or muscle spasm.
  • Talking, yawning and chewing causes pain.
  • Biting or chewing food becomes a difficult task.
  • The patient experiences dizziness and headaches.
  • The ear is effected with pain and ringing in the ears. There may be loss of hearing.
  • In extreme case the jaws may lock, either with the mouth open or shut.

TMJ Causes in Children 

No one knows for sure what causes TMJ disorders but there are many factors which are believed to contribute to the disorder. When the joint is over worked, wear and tear in it increases. In this particular joint a disc is worn out or moves out of place. The bite, or the way the upper and lower teeth align, gets changed with grinding and clenching of teeth. This affects the muscles which are used for chewing food. Some children are not even aware that they are clenching their teeth or grind them while sleeping.

 

Stress is a major factor which causes children to inadvertently tighten their jaw muscles or clench their teeth.  A child should be made aware that he clenches or grinds his teeth so that he is able to control the activity. He should be told to monitor this fact when he is under stress, upset or angry, may be during an exam or when he has quarreled with someone. Breathing exercises can be taught to help the child relax. Physical exercise and games can dissipate nervous energy to a great extent.

 

Treatment

The child should be taken to a dentist as soon as these symptoms are noticed.   

 

Mild cases of TMJ disorders can be treated by giving the jaw rest for a few days. The child should be given soft foods which do not tax the jaws. Chewing gum or opening the mouth wide needs to be avoided. The child should be asked to relax and not clench or grind his teeth. Heat packs or ice packs on the side of the face will alleviate pain to some extent.

 

Source: My Child Health   

Is it an Ear Infection or is it Teething?teething
Children younger than 2 years are much more likely to get an ear infection than adults because of the shape and size of their Eustachian tubes. Bottle feeding, family history of ear infections and being in a group childcare situation are risk factors. Ear infections are also more common during flu season.


Due to inflammation and fluid build-up during an ear infection, the confined space of the middle ear canal begins to hurt. These are usually caused by bacterial or viral agents. When the child has a cold, allergy or the flu, swelling of the nasal passages, Eustachian tubes and throat prepares the scene for bacteria to gain access to the middle ear and cause an infection.

 

Earache or Ear Infection

Trying to decipher whether an ear ache is an infection or not can be hard for a parent, especially those with young children who cannot express what they are going through. If there is any doubt about whether you are dealing with an infection, always seek a doctor's advice. Meanwhile, there are a few things you can do to assess the situation. In general, teething is associated with mild symptoms. This is true for earaches associated with teething, too. The ear discomfort does not worsen when it is a result of teething.

If there is severe ear pain with extreme fussiness or if there is any discharge from the ear, it is time to call a doctor. A child with an ear infection also experiences increased pain on lying down. The baby will usually refuse to lie down and your previously easy-sleeping baby will fuss while going to sleep. He may also show signs of a cold or cough. A fever above 101.4 degrees Fahrenheit also points toward something more than just teething.

 

How It Is Treated

Ear infections due to viral causes usually resolve on their own. The pediatrician will monitor the ear infection to ensure that it does not progress or cause complications. If a bacterial agent is causing the infection, then antibiotics will be required. Pain is managed with painkillers, either over-the-counter or prescribed by your child's doctor.

 

Source: LiveStrong  
Our Pledge to You...
Please know that we value and respect your privacy.  Your name will never be shared or sold and you can unsubscribe from our list at any time by clicking the icon at the bottom.  

We thank you for your trust and value your opinion.  If you have any suggestions or comments, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].