Brighton Kids Smile

Brighton Kids Smile We are located in the heart of the Brighton area! At Brighton Kids Smile, we are dedicated to providing the best possible care for your child!

Our office features brand new equipment and advanced technology to help give your kids the bright smiles they deserve. Using advanced techniques and state-of-the-art equipment, we treat a variety of oral health conditions, ensuring your child has the smile they deserve! We specialize in baby tooth extractions, baby root canals, composite fillings, fluoride treatments, and a large variety of other

procedures. For children who suffer through anxiety during their dental treatments we offer nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, to our patients in order to have them feel more at ease and calm during their treatments. Have more questions? Contact us today to speak with one of our specialists!

If your child has recently developed a cavity, you may be wondering what the next steps are: When it comes to cavities, ...
12/21/2023

If your child has recently developed a cavity, you may be wondering what the next steps are: When it comes to cavities, a dental filling is often the best treatment to restore the affected tooth.

How Are Composite Fillings Placed?
Before the treatment can begin, your pediatric dentist will often use pediatric oral sedation or nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to alleviate any anxiety your child might be feeling. The affected tooth is then made numb using a local anesthetic, and the decay is removed. The tooth is then exposed to an acidic etch and a resin bonding material before the composite is placed into the tooth. Once the filling is in place, a UV light is used to cure the material, and final adjustments are made to ensure the filling is not interfering with the child’s bite.

Does it Hurt to Get Fillings?
The anesthetic used to numb the tooth, as well as the administered sedation or nitrous oxide, ensures that the filling process is entirely pain free for your child. Throughout the preparation process, your child may feel cold water being sprayed on the tooth, or some mild pressure throughout the procedure. Overall, although the process is painless and quick, your child may experience some sensitivity on the treated tooth for a few days after the procedure.

Why Choose Tooth Colored Fillings?
Composite fillings, or tooth-colored fillings, are made to match the color and physical appearance of a natural tooth. This makes composite fillings the preferred restoration method when it comes to simple cavities. However, larger fillings, or those that are addressing a cavity in between the teeth, may require silver fillings.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call us at (718) 366-0070, or visit our website at www.brightonkidssmile.com.

Healthy gums and a healthy smile are essential to your child’s overall health, so it’s important to start visiting the p...
11/21/2023

Healthy gums and a healthy smile are essential to your child’s overall health, so it’s important to start visiting the pediatric dentist once your child’s baby teeth start growing in. If you’ve visited the pediatric dentist, you may have heard that fluoride varnish treatments are one of the easiest ways to protect your baby’s teeth against tooth decay.

What is Fluoride Varnish?

Fluoride varnish is often used to prevent tooth decay in children and is typically painted on the top and sides of each tooth with a small brush. Fluoride varnish hardens quickly, forming a protective layer of your child’s teeth, preventing any bacteria from attacking. Applying fluoride varnish typically only takes a few minutes and can be done during your child’s routine cleaning!

How Should You Care for Your Child’s Teeth After Treatment?

Because fluoride varnish dries quickly, your child will be able to eat and drink right after it is applied. Try to avoid any hot foods or liquids, and do not brush or floss your child’s teeth for at least 4 to 6 hours after your child’s appointment.

Remember, that visiting the pediatric dentist regularly (about every 6 months) is essential to your child’s oral health, and the key to a healthy smile! Be sure to regularly brush and floss your child’s teeth, and ask your pediatric dentist if you are interested in getting fluoride varnish treatment.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call us at (718) 366-0070, or visit our website at www.brightonkidssmile.com!

To form good oral hygiene habits, it’s essential for your child to start seeing a pediatric dentist as early in their li...
10/20/2023

To form good oral hygiene habits, it’s essential for your child to start seeing a pediatric dentist as early in their life as possible! It’s important to introduce them to healthy practices by wiping their gums and introducing them to a soft-bristled toothbrush once you notice their baby teeth growing in. Making your child comfortable with good oral hygiene practices is a great way to make sure their teeth stay healthy and cavity-free in the future.

We recommend taking your child for their first pediatric visit at about 6 months old, or as soon as you see their first baby tooth growing in. Visiting the dentist as early as possible can be a great way to prevent any dental anxiety as your child gets older and create a positive association with oral hygiene! Seeing the dentist as soon as your child’s teeth start coming in can also help significantly in preventing unwanted cavities from forming.

Although their first visit to the pediatric dentist is incredibly important, it is just as vital to see the dentist regularly (about twice a year) to keep an eye on their oral health. Seeing the dentist routinely can help stop cavities before it’s too late, and monitor your child’s smile as their teeth grow in.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call us at (718) 366-0070, or visit our website at www.brightonkidssmile.com!

Often times, signs that your child is having a problem with their teeth can go unnoticed, especially if there aren’t any...
09/13/2023

Often times, signs that your child is having a problem with their teeth can go unnoticed, especially if there aren’t any visible issues such as cavities. In other cases, some children may not be able to explain exactly what they’re feeling, or if they’re having a problem with their gums or teeth. That’s why it’s important to keep an eye out for some of the following signs that may indicate your child is due for a visit to the pediatric dentist!

A loss of appetite or aversions to food can often be an indicator of dental discomfort! If your child has been shying away from certain foods they used to love, especially hot or cold foods, this can be a sign that they have a damaged tooth. Damaged teeth commonly become sensitive to hot or cold foods, and biting or chewing can be extra painful.

Swollen or red gums can be a sign of an underlying tooth infection. Healthy gums should be pink, while gums affected by a tooth infection often appear dark red or swollen: although a tooth infection is not the only cause, it’s important to check for any bacterial or fungal infections of the gum tissues.

Bad breath or tooth discoloration are one of the most prominent signs of a tooth infection or tooth decay: although bad breath is completely normal, persistent bad breath that doesn’t go away with proper cleaning and flossing is often a sign of bacteria accumulation. Discoloration of the enamel, such as darkened spots on the tooth, are also commonly associated with tooth infections.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call us at (718) 366-0070, or visit our website at www.brightonkidssmile.com!

A tooth abscess is a pocket of pus that forms around the affected tooth as a result of an infection. When it comes to pe...
08/21/2023

A tooth abscess is a pocket of pus that forms around the affected tooth as a result of an infection. When it comes to pediatrics, the most common form of tooth abscess is a periapical abscess, which forms around the tip of the affected tooth's roots.

Most often, a periapical abscess is caused by bacterial infections in the pulp, the soft, nerve-filled center of the tooth. When a bacterial infections develops, the pulp becomes inflamed and an abscess forms. A tooth abscess is commonly caused by untreated tooth decay, as the decay can reach the dental pulp and leave the tooth susceptible to infection. In other cases, a tooth abscess can also form from trauma or injury to the tooth, as deep cracks or fractures in the tooth allow for bacteria to set in and reach the dental pulp.

What are the symptoms of a tooth abscess?

Symptoms often include:

Tooth sensitivity, especially to temperature changes

Severe pain in the affected tooth, neighboring teeth, ear, neck, or temple

Color change in the affected tooth

Facial swelling

Gum swelling

Swollen lymph nodes

Fever

If you suspect your child has an abscessed tooth, it is important to schedule a visit to the pediatric dentist as soon as possible. As the infection can spread to neighboring teeth and the surrounding tissue, it is vital to treat the infection before it becomes a serious cause for concern. Depending on the severity of the abscess, your pediatric dentist may recommend a root canal or a tooth extraction: however, in some cases, a severe tooth abscess may require antibiotics before the root canal or extraction can be performed.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call us at (718) 366-0070, or visit our website at www.brightonkidssmile.com!

Open mouth breathing occurs when your child starts breathing through their mouth instead of their nose, and most often o...
08/12/2023

Open mouth breathing occurs when your child starts breathing through their mouth instead of their nose, and most often occurs at night. Open mouth breathing is most commonly noticed if your child is sick or has allergies, which can make breathing through their nose difficult and uncomfortable: However, continuous open mouth breathing can be a cause for concern!

In most cases, frequent open mouth breathing will result in common symptoms such as cracked lips, irritability, or excessive crying, but it can lead to numerous dental health concerns such as:

Enlarged adenoids or tonsils
TMJ [temporomandibular] disorder
Impacted teeth
Malocclusions
Cavities
Teeth grinding or an erosion of the teeth
Chronic bad breath or periodontal disease

Open mouth breathing can result from an underlying condition such as a deviated septum, tongue tie, or enlarged vessels and bones in the nasal passage, so it's important to schedule a visit to the pediatric dentist if you've noticed your child frequently breathing through their mouth. A pediatric dentist will be able to evaluate your child for any underlying conditions, and establish a treatment plan to correct the issue before it becomes a serious cause for concern!

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call us at (718) 366-0070, or visit our website at www.brightonkidssmile.com!

As your child starts losing their baby teeth, it’s common to start worrying if they’re taking a little to long to fall o...
07/27/2023

As your child starts losing their baby teeth, it’s common to start worrying if they’re taking a little to long to fall out: but when do stubborn baby teeth start to become a serious cause for concern?

Although kids often start losing their teeth between the ages of 4 to 8, baby teeth that haven’t started to come out after your child is 8 years old could indicate ‘shark teeth’, a condition that occurs when a child’s baby teeth haven’t fallen out, but their permanent teeth have already come in. This often results in a child having two rows of teeth, or ‘shark teeth’, with the new permanent teeth growing closer to the tongue.

Most often, it’s best to wait for the baby teeth to fall out naturally, especially if your child’s baby teeth are already loose or on the verge of falling out. However, if your child’s permanent teeth have grown in and their baby teeth don’t seem like they’re going to fall out on their own, it may be best to schedule a visit with the pediatric dentist. Some signs to look out for are:

Stiff baby teeth: Baby teeth that haven’t loosened for two months after the permanent teeth have started growing may need to be extracted.

Crowding or tooth blockage: When there isn’t enough space for the permanent teeth to grow, the baby teeth may block their eruption, which could cause significant orthodontic problems!

‘Shark teeth’ in the molars: While ‘shark teeth’ in the front of the mouth are often not a serious cause for concern, and may not cause any orthodontic problems, ‘shark teeth’ in the back of the mouth can cause numerous issues for tooth development.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call us at (718) 366-0070, or visit our website at www.brightonkidssmile.com!

As your child begins to lose their baby teeth, a space maintainer may sometimes be necessary to avoid the complications ...
07/09/2023

As your child begins to lose their baby teeth, a space maintainer may sometimes be necessary to avoid the complications that come with losing a baby tooth before its time! While your child's baby teeth will often get pushed out by incoming permanent teeth, its possible that a baby tooth may be lost prematurely: in this case, it's important to use a space maintainer to keep that empty space open for the developing permanent tooth. Using a space maintainer is incredibly common in pediatric dentistry, and is often needed after:

A tooth extraction! If your child has had a baby tooth extracted as a result of cavities, your pediatric dentist may have already recommended a space maintainer! As leaving a cavity untreated can make the neighboring teeth susceptible to tooth decay and extensive damage, its essential to treat the cavity before it gets too out of control.

Over-retained baby teeth can often be the cause of dental issues further down the line, so its important to get them extracted as soon as possible. In most cases, your pediatric dentist will recommend using a space maintainer to make room for the permanent tooth to develop.

Premature tooth loss! Accidents happen, and its important to see a pediatric dentist as soon as possible if your child experiences an injury that results in premature tooth loss. If tooth loss occurs, your pediatric dentist may strongly recommend using a space maintainer to ensure that your child's adult tooth will grow in with no issues.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call us at (718) 366-0070, or visit our website at www.brightonkidssmile.com!

As your child’s permanent teeth begin to erupt and move into their proper positions, you may have noticed that there isn...
06/25/2023

As your child’s permanent teeth begin to erupt and move into their proper positions, you may have noticed that there isn’t enough room for new teeth to grow: This is often referred to as dental crowding, a malocclusion, or issue with the ‘bite’, that occurs when developing teeth don’t have the space they need to properly emerge.

As your child’s teeth grow, the teeth may start to twist or overlap in unnatural positions. Dental crowding is commonly classified as mild, moderate, or severe: a mild overcrowding issue usually indicates that only one tooth is affected, while a moderate or severe issue with overcrowding can prevent multiple, or an entire row of teeth, from developing properly.

Some signs that your child may have an issue with their bite include:
Visibly crooked teeth
Jaw pain or discomfort
Visibly overlapping teeth
Issues with biting or chewing

If left untreated, dental crowding can increase the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, or TMJ (temporomandibular joint dysfunction), and can have a significant impact in the health and appearance of your child’s smile.

If you suspect that your child is experiencing dental crowding, be sure to schedule a visit to your pediatric dentist as soon as possible.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call us at (718) 366-0070, or visit our website at www.brightonkidssmile.com!

While a painful toothache or visible swelling of their cheeks or jaw would immediately warrant an emergency visit to the...
06/15/2023

While a painful toothache or visible swelling of their cheeks or jaw would immediately warrant an emergency visit to the pediatric dentist, sometimes kids may not be able to express what they're feeling, especially if they aren't in any pain. That's why it's important to keep a look out for any potential signs of a dental issue, before it can cause any serious damage!

Here are some signs your child may be experiencing a dental problem, and should visit a pediatric dentist:

A loss of apatite or aversions to food is one of the most prominent signs that something isn't quite right! Damaged teeth can often become extremely sensitive to hot or cold foods, so be sure to check your child's teeth and gums for any signs of discoloration if they suddenly start shying away from their favorite foods.

Bad breath can sometimes be normal, especially if your child has forgotten to brush their teeth that morning: however, persistent periods of bad breath could point to an accumulation of bacteria in the mouth, which can eventually lead to gum infections and tooth decay.

Swollen gums are often a sign of dental issues such as bacterial or fungal infections, and typically result in dark colored and swollen gums. Even if a tooth infection isn't present, infected gums can quickly lead to cavities or the development of a gum disease.

Tooth discoloration can also point towards an underlying issue with the teeth: tooth decay is often most noticeable on the outer layer of the enamel, and will appear a darkly colored pit or stain on the tooth. Be sure to check for any tooth discoloration, especially if your child has been complaining of a toothache.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call us at (718) 366-0070, or visit our website at www.brightonkidssmile.com.

What are Dental Sealants?Your back molars contain multiple crevices and ridges, making it easy for food and bacteria to ...
06/10/2023

What are Dental Sealants?
Your back molars contain multiple crevices and ridges, making it easy for food and bacteria to get trapped and cause issues such as cavities down the road: Even if your child brushes and flosses regularly, it can be difficult to clean all of those groves and pits. Fortunately, in order to prevent any pesky cavities from forming, dental sealants can be applied to the back teeth, keeping them safe from bacteria. Dental sealants are a hard plastic coating that is applied to the chewing surfaces of the molars, creating a protective barrier between your child’s teeth and any residual acid and plaque. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, or the AAPD, recommends applying dental sealants to your child’s back molars as soon as they erupt, typically between the ages of 6 and 12.

Sealants are easy to apply, painless, and do not require any drilling or additional extensive treatments! They last for about 2 to 5 years and are highly effective when it comes to preventing cavities. However, dental sealants should be regularly checked by your pediatric dentist during routine checkups: it’s also important to remember that sealants do not prevent cavities that can form between the teeth and the surfaces of the tooth next to the cheek and tongue.

How Do I Take Care of Dental Sealants?
As dental sealants are made of hard plastic, there is always a risk that they can break or fall off if your child isn’t maintaining them properly! Be sure to remind your child to regularly brush all of the surfaces of their teeth using a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste. Be sure to brush the sides of the teeth just as they would if the sealants weren’t in place: although dental sealants reduce the risk of cavities, maintaining good oral hygiene is essential for a healthy smile!

What Foods Should I Avoid with Sealants?
Since sealants take a day or two to conform to the shape of your child’s teeth, it’s important to avoid eating certain foods such as hard candy to prevent any breaks in the plastic. After the sealants have fully conformed to the shape of the teeth, no significant diet changes are required and your child is free to eat as they would if they didn’t have any sealants in place!

Some foods, however, can increase the risk of damaging the sealants:

Hard candy can cause sealants to break or chip
Chewy foods, such as toffee or caramel candy can stick to the sealants and pull them off altogether
Avoiding these foods can increase the lifespan of your child’s dental sealants, offering more protection against tooth decay!

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call us at (718)366-0070, or visit our website at www.brightonkidssmile.com!

Although losing their first baby tooth is an exciting experience for most kids, it can be frightening for some, especial...
06/02/2023

Although losing their first baby tooth is an exciting experience for most kids, it can be frightening for some, especially if they aren’t sure what to expect. As each child handles this important milestone in their own way, it’s important to talk them through it and celebrate the experience! However, as some kids find losing baby teeth to be scary, here’s what you can do to make it a less traumatic and more positive experience:

Your child might have heard a lot of negative things about losing their baby teeth from their classmates or friends, which can definitely lead to some anxiety and fear when the time comes for the tooth to fall out. It’s important to talk your child through exactly what they should expect: let them know that losing baby teeth is completely normal, and happens to everyone! They might be excited to hear that their permanent adult teeth should come in shortly after the baby tooth is out.

Try to stay upbeat and positive when your child asks questions about losing their baby teeth, and include the legend of the tooth fairy if you can! Telling your child about the tooth fairy can add an exciting and magical touch to this important milestone, and can significantly reduce any anxiety your child might be feeling about the subject. Make sure to tell them that losing a baby tooth is nothing to be afraid of and is an essential part of growing up.

Be sure to celebrate when your child finally loses their first baby tooth! Treat it like a milestone, and come up with a fun and exciting way to celebrate: celebrating the loss of their first baby tooth will significantly help reduce their feelings of fear when another baby tooth starts wiggling!

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call us at (718) 366-0070, or visit our website at www.brightonkidssmile.com!

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Brooklyn, NY
11235

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+17183660070

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