March 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!



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galaLast Chance to Buy
Tickets for
"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, 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 barilevine6@gmail.com or visit www.growingsmilesfoundation.org.

 5 Fun Questions With...
Kelly Rose!fivequestions
Pictured is Kelly Rose, with her 6 year-old daughter, Brooklyn.
In each issue, we'll be asking "5 Fun Questions" to one of our wonderful staff so you can get to know them the way we do! 

We decided to start with Kelly Rose, whom you probably know as she's one of the first people to greet you on the phone or at the front desk. 

 

1) How long have you been working for Dr. Radin? 

I have been working for Dr. Radin for 6 years (since I was 19 yrs old)! What I enjoy most about working here is the people I work with. I feel like I have gained a second family and friendships that will last a lifetime! I also love seeing the children's faces when they walk into the door, and watching them grow up. It's great to see their faces change and mature!

 

2)  Tell me a little about your family. 
I have a 6 year-old daughter, Brooklyn, who is the light of my life. I had her when I was very young, but she has made me who I am today. I have a boyfriend named Brian and we have been together for 8 years. I have wonderful parents and an older sister. 

 

3)  What is your favorite vacation place and why? 
My favorite place to go on vacation is Florida! I love to be in the sun and on the beach! I have family who live out there and love to see them when I can! 

 

4)  Do you have any hobbies? 
My hobbies, other than being a mommy, are that I love to paint and restore furniture. 

 

5)  What do you like to do in your free time? 
In my free time I love to spend as much time as I can with my daughter. Watching her grow up into a fun- loving and smart little girl and enjoying every moment!

 

 questionforradinQ&A with
Dr. Sheryl Radin

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

"When should I start flossing my child's teeth?"

 

 

 

 

 

 

You should start flossing your children's teeth even when they have only their baby (primary) teeth. Once a child's teeth start to fit closely together, usually between the ages of two and six, parents should start to get their children in the habit of flossing daily. As they develop dexterity, you can help them learn to floss. Children usually develop the ability to floss on their own around the age of 10.

 

To stress the importance of flossing, do it for them regularly until they're able to do it themselves. This will help them develop a good habit of flossing while they still have their baby teeth so that when their permanent teeth come in, they already have flossing worked into their daily oral routine. Use floss that is soft and flexible so that it doesn't hurt their teeth and is comfortable on their gums.

 

Here are some additional tips to help your child learn to floss: 

Try tying the floss into small circles on either end of the strand so that your child's fingers can easily fit in. This will help them get a grip on the floss in the early stages before they learn how to hold it on their own. Next, have your child follow these basic flossing steps:

  1. Take about 18 inches of floss and loosely wrap most of it around each middle finger leaving an inch of floss between.
  2. Gently slide it down between your teeth with your thumb and index fingers holding the floss taut. Be careful not to snap it down on your gums.
  3. Curve the floss around each tooth in a "C" shape and gently move it up and down the sides of each tooth, including under the gum line. Unroll a new section of floss as your move from tooth to tooth.
  4. Or, even easier, use the Listerine access flossers or the pre-made floss holders.
Looking for more information regarding dental issues?  Please refer to the  FAQ section on our website. 
 
 
 


With the cold weather we've been having, you may be experiencing cabin fever by now.  If so, we have just the thing to break you of your winter rut and enjoy a night out!

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 being held THIS MONTH on Saturday  March 21,2015  at 6:00 pm. The Gala fundraiser helps provide dental care and education to hundreds of orphans in Peru. Hurry!  There's still time to buy tickets to this special evening! 

Each time you call or visit our office, we love having the opportunity to get to know you and your family better.  We want you to get to know us better, too, which is why we thought it would be fun to put together some random questions to have our staff answer.  This month, we asked Kelly Rose, one of our hardworking receptionists at Growing Smiles, to go first in our new feature, "5 Fun Questions With..."  Find out more about Kelly by clicking here.

While brushing your child's teeth is essential for your overall oral health and hygiene, many parents wonder about flossing.  If you're curious as to when you should start flossing your child's teeth, you can find out my answer in this month's Q&A column. 

 

"My tooth is loose!"  Those words represent a big milestone in your child's life. Baby teeth have to fall out to make way for permanent teeth to grow.  You may have wondered when this starts occurring -- and for how long.  Be sure to read, When Will My Child's Baby Teeth Fall Out? so you can know the facts. 

 

Lastly, with the frigid and changing temps outside, cold season is still in full swing.  After your child has had a nasty cold, you probably change his or her toothbrush to lessen the chance of reinfection.  But can the germs on the toothbrush really do that?  Check out, Can Your Children's Toothbrush Make Them Sick? to find out the answer.

 

Sincerely,
 
Dr. Sheryl Radin and Staff at
When Will My Child's Baby Teeth Fall Out?babyteeth 
Every child begins to lose their baby teeth and get their adult teeth around the same time; however there are instances that may cause a delay or speed up the process.

 

Baby teeth are not only used for eating, they hold the space necessary for the permanent (adult) teeth to erupt. When the adult teeth begin to make their way in the direction of the mouth, they dissolve the root of the baby tooth that is essentially in its way. This is the process that causes the baby teeth to become loose. Once most, if not all of the root has been dissolved, the tooth becomes very wiggly, and is ready to come out.

 

Your child will begin to lose his baby teeth very close to the order in which they first made their appearance into your child's mouth -- think "first in, first out."  As the baby teeth are lost, the adult teeth begin to take their place. The following information is a general guideline as to when you can expect to see your child lose his baby teeth and "grow" in the permanent teeth.

 

Age Six to Seven

Between the ages of six and seven, your child may lose his first tooth. The lower central incisors are usually the first teeth that are lost, followed by the upper central incisors.  At this point, eating is slightly affected, although your child may prefer to do most of his chewing on the back teeth.

 

Biting into hard foods may become difficult, when the front baby teeth are very wiggly and once they have been lost. Instead of giving your child a whole apple, carrot, or similar foods that require the need for biting with the front teeth, offer your child bite-sized pieces of hard foods. Smaller, bite-sized pieces are easily chewed with the back teeth, eliminating the need for the use of the front teeth.

 

Age Seven to Eight

The lateral incisors are the next baby teeth your child may lose. The lateral incisors are located in between the central incisor and cuspid. Eating foods such as corn on the cob, chicken wings, and ribs becomes increasingly difficult. Again, offer a selection of foods that are easy to chew, in bite-sized pieces.

 

Age Nine to Twelve

After a small break in tooth loss, the next baby teeth your child may lose are his upper and lower primary first molars. These baby teeth have been used to do most of the heavy chewing, of food such as meat and hard or raw vegetables. Because the second primary molar and the primary cuspid still remain in the mouth, your child might complain that food is becoming stuck between these teeth. If this is the case, have your child rinse or brush and floss his teeth after each meal, to avoid the accumulation of plaque on the teeth.

 

Between the age of nine and twelve, the lower cuspids are the next baby teeth in line to be lost. Your child might feel like all of his baby teeth have been lost at this point, however there is still a few more left to come.

 

Age Ten to Twelve

After losing 17 baby teeth, your pre-teen should finally lose the remaining three baby teeth, between age ten and twelve. The upper cuspid and the upper and lower primary molars are the last baby teeth your child will lose.

 

Not a Baby Anymore

By the age of 13, your child will have most of his permanent teeth; with the exception of his wisdom teeth, which erupt between the ages of 17 and 21.

 

Impeccable oral hygiene is very important during your child's tooth eruption and exfoliation stages. Remember to encourage your child to brush and floss twice a day, and keep up with his regular visits to see the dentist. If you are concerned about how your child's baby teeth are falling out, or have questions about the permanent teeth that will soon take their place, please be sure to ask us.

 

Source: About Health 

 

Can Your Children's Toothbrush Make Them Sick?toothbrush 

A sticker on Colgate toothbrush packages warns consumers: "Got A Cold? Change your toothbrush." According to the company's Web site, "germs can hide in toothbrush bristles and lead to reinfection." Competitor Arm & Hammer offers the same warning that toothbrushes should be replaced "anytime you've had a cold or have been ill since germs may be lurking among the bristles." This begs the question: Can my child re-catch a cold from a toothbrush?

 

No, unless it's someone else's toothbrush (or someone else's cold). Once your child has been infected with a particular strain of a virus, he or she will develop antibodies that make the likelihood of re-infection very low. Even if the virus were still hanging out on his or her toothbrush after recovery -- colds and flus can survive there in an infective state for anywhere from a few hours to three days-those antibodies should keep them from contracting the same illness twice. Their toothbrush is no more dangerous while they're still sick, since the viral load on the bristles is negligible compared with what's already in their system.

 

Despite all this, the American Dental Association (ADA) isn't overly concerned over the microorganisms living on your child's toothbrush bristles. Generally speaking, their immune systems are up to the task of fighting off any illnesses that might result from them. The ADA does suggest rinsing off a toothbrush after brushing, storing it in a position that allows it to air dry, and keeping it away from other toothbrushes. The association also recommends replacing their toothbrush every three to four months, once the bristles are frayed and worn, but not in the aftermath of every cold.

 

In addition, the ADA and the Council on Scientific Affairs, here are the some important toothbrush care recommendations:

 

Do not let your children share toothbrushes. Sharing a toothbrush could result in an exchange of body fluids and/or microorganisms between the users of the toothbrush, placing the individuals involved at an increased risk for infections. This practice could be a particular concern for persons with compromised immune systems or existing infectious diseases.

 

Thoroughly rinse toothbrushes with tap water after brushing to remove any remaining toothpaste and debris. Store the brush in an upright position if possible and allow the toothbrush to air-dry until used again. If more than one brush is stored in the same holder or area, keep the brushes separated to prevent cross-contamination.

 

Do not routinely cover toothbrushes or store them in closed containers. A moist environment such as a closed container is more conducive to the growth of microorganisms than the open air.

 

Replace toothbrushes at least every 3-4 months. The bristles become frayed and worn with use and cleaning effectiveness will decrease. Toothbrushes will wear out more rapidly depending on factors unique to each patient. Check brushes often for this type of wear and replace them more frequently if needed. Children's toothbrushes often need replacing more frequently than adult brushes.

 

Sources: ADA; Slate 

 

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