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Jason Rosenfeld, DMD 1395 Route 23 South, Butler, NJ, 07405
(973) 838-0093

Route 23 Dentist

Pediatric Dentist | Butler NJ

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It’s a Grind: Anxiety and the Health of our Children’s Teeth During the COVID-19 Pandemic

During the pandemic, Dr. Jason Rosenfeld has been seeing and treating many of his patients for teeth grinding.  Lockdowns, exposures, hybrid schedules, virtual learning, isolation and lack of socialization have caused tremendous anxiety in us all, particularly, in children and adolescents. One of the manifestations of this anxiety is teeth grinding.  Teeth grinding or Bruxism can be a severe dental concern if clenching and gnashing wear down tooth enamel and cause persistent pain in the teeth or face. Often a child will grind teeth during sleep as a way to relieve anxiety or stress. Teeth-clenching and grinding cause headaches, earaches, facial pain, and jaw problems. If not treated early, your child may chip or break his/her teeth. It’s vital to know whether your child has the condition, even if they still have their baby teeth.

Wear and tear on the teeth’s enamel from grinding can also lead to painful chewing or make the teeth more sensitive to hot and cold. If a child’s medication or another medical condition causes the grinding, the child’s pediatrician may need to adjust prescriptions. Some long-term effects can result in significant damage to the teeth if the child keeps clenching and grinding for an extended period. The enamel will not only wear down, but the teeth may chip, flatten or fracture along with a chance of developing temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). TMD causes further pain in the jaw and can make it difficult for a child to chew or open their mouth completely.

Dr. Jason Rosenfeld recommends custom nightguards to alleviate grinding. This appliance, also called mouthguards or occlusal guards, are retainer-like soft or hard plastic pieces that cover either the top or bottom set of teeth. Nightguards cushion your teeth from the force of clenching and prevent the teeth from grinding together, preventing headaches, damaged teeth, and inflamed gums.

Customized guards are custom-made to the patient’s teeth and are high quality. An impression is taken of the teeth, sent to the dental lab and custom-fitted to the patient. Dr. Jason checks the mouthguard’s fit and makes any necessary adjustments before the first use at home.

Most importantly, bring your children for routine preventative dental visits with Dr. Jason Rosenfeld to help find and treat teeth grinding. Treating the condition from the outset is part of good preventative dental care.

Why choose a pediatric dentist?

How is a pediatric dentist different from other dentists in Kinnelon, NJ?                                  

Kids are our priority in our fun, warm and caring office in Kinnelon, NJ.. The first visit is all about your child’s comfort, happiness and health. As a specialist in children’s health, Dr. Jason Rosenfeld, an award-winning pediatric dentist, is trained in all aspects of pediatric and adolescent care such as growth and development, child psychology, behavior management, treatment of traumatic injuries, sedation dentistry and treatment of special needs patients. For children in Kinnelon, NJ and other areas, involved in contact sports, custom-fitted mouth guards are made to protect teeth, lips, cheeks, and gums. The staff of Route 23 Pediatric Dentistry in Kinnelon, NJ makes a special effort to put kids at ease the moment they step into the office. Our warm and welcoming staff uses pleasant, comforting and easy to understand words to describe each treatment. Children in Kinnelon, NJ like children everywhere else, do not have a natural fear of the dentist, however, they can fear the unknown. Kids in Kinnelon, NJ deserve special treatment and our staff strives to give a wonderful experience so they can become good dental patients.

 At what age do kids in Kinnelon, NJ start going to the Pediatric Dentist?

Children should visit the pediatric dentist by their first birthday. It is important that your child’s newly erupted teeth (6 and 12 months of age) receive proper dental care in Kinnelon, NJ and benefit from good oral hygiene habits at the beginning of development. Teeth continue to erupt until about age three and then the baby teeth are shed at various times throughout childhood. Permanent teeth begin erupting at age 6 and continue until age 21. Preventative checkups in our Kinnelon, NJ office are an important part of maintaining a healthy smile. Good oral hygiene habits and regular checkups in our Kinnelon, NJ office are key building blocks for overall good health.

What should we expect during our first visit to Route 23 Pediatric Dentistry in Kinnelon, NJ?

Our practice in Kinnelon, NJ is committed to providing safe, gentle, high-quality dental care.  We understand that you or your child may feel anxious about visiting the dentist. We are sensitive to your needs and strive to make you feel comfortable while providing the best care possible in our Kinnelon, NJ office. Kids love our fun atmosphere, and parents in Kinnelon, NJ appreciate our convenient hours. In addition to late-night hours, we also offer Saturday appointments. Dr. Jason is always on call for dental emergencies and the staff accommodates busy Kinnelon, NJ family schedules.

 Established in 1991, Route 23 Pediatric Dentistry in Kinnelon, NJ offers a wide array of children’s dental services including checkups and cleanings, preventive and diagnostic services, restorations, oral health instruction and education as well as sedation in office. Dr. Jason has been a clinical attending at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital in New York City and the premier Kinnelon, NJ pediatric dentist for over two decades.

Dr. Jason Rosenfeld and his staff of Kinnelon, NJ, were voted one of New Jersey’s Favorite Kids Docs by N.J. Family Magazine for thirteen consecutive years. Dr. Jason has also been voted Top Pediatric Dentist by Top Dentists in New Jersey. 

Bring your child’s smile to your first appointment at the Kinnelon, NJ office of

                                                  Route 23 Pediatric Dentistry

Give us a call today to schedule an appointment at our pediatric dental office in Kinnelon and let your child discover how fun going to the dentist can be!

SMILES THAT MAKE THE GRADE

                                                 

 Checklist time for school preparation! Along with school supplies, new clothes and sports gear, remember that health checkups are VITAL.  

Start the school year with healthy, beautiful smiles. Schedule a dental cleaning and exam. Preventative care, including sealants and fluoride treatments, helps stop cavities before they start. A professional cleaning removes cavity-causing bacteria, keeping gum tissue healthy and removing stains. Did you know that tooth decay is the most common childhood disease? A third of children miss school on account of oral health problems.  Children and teens with healthy teeth have better attendance, are more attentive in class and tend to participate more fully in school related activities. A dental exam is part of an overall pediatric health checkup since oral health plays a vital role in children’s health. Route 23 Pediatric Dentistry recommends choosing a dental home before the first day of pre-school. Evaluation of a child’s oral health at the earliest stages impacts future growth and development. A good smile creates a positive self-image.  

Start the school year by setting up a consistent oral hygiene routine at home. Make sure to Schedule 6 MONTH Dental Checkups and cleanings since this is a time of change in your child’s mouth. Kids lose baby teeth, get in permanent teeth and changes occur in the mouth.  Make brushing and flossing fun with songs, sticker calendars and personalized toothbrushes. Brushing twice a day along with flossing, in the morning and after dinner, is ideal. Baby tooth hygiene is extremely important since cavities and decay can lead to dental problems in the future. Healthy baby teeth lay the foundation for proper dental development.

Getting ready for school also means getting mouth protection for all sports. A custom fitted mouth guard enables better breathing, comfort and better sports performance. Sports like football, basketball, lacrosse and volleyball require participants to wear protective mouth guards. Even non-contact sports athletes are encouraged to wear mouth guards to protect against accidental falls. Just like helmets and pads, mouth guards are an extra preventative  line of defense for your child.

Good nutrition is vital for development, especially for healthy teeth. Fruits and vegetables are great snacks. Calcium rich cheese helps trigger saliva which flushes food particles sticking to teeth. Avoid sticky foods like fruit roll-ups, honey, syrups and candy. Nutritious snacks like cheese, nuts and apples can help prevent cavities. Limit snacks as much as possible. Never put your baby to bed with a bottle of milk, formula, juice or soda.  Additionally,serve your child water rather than juice and soda since it flushes food particles clinging to teeth. Include good sources of calcium in your child’s diet such as yogurt, milk, cheese and broccoli. Route 23 Pediatric Dentistry provides nutritional counseling and our knowledgeable staff will be happy to provide guidance.

                  Give your child a lifetime of smiles!

Some Fun Q&A

What’s The Best Toothpaste For My Child?

Tooth brushing is vital for good oral health. But many types of toothpaste can damage kids’ teeth with harsh abrasives which wear away tooth enamel. Make sure to choose toothpaste recommended by the American Dental Association (ADA) as shown on the box and tube. These toothpastes have undergone testing to insure their safety.

How Much Toothpaste?

For a child up to 3 years old, use a smear of toothpaste (the size of a rice grain) to brush the teeth. For children 3 to 6 years old, use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and perform or assist your child’s toothbrushing. Remember that young children do not have the ability to brush their teeth effectively on their own. Children should not swallow excess toothpaste after brushing.

Sports Drinks

Sports drinks and energy drinks are culprits in eroding tooth enamel. The high acidic content, sugar and dye are detrimental for tooth health as well as staining them. Consider plain water, fruit infused water and coconut water as safer alternatives.

Does Your Child Grind His/Her Teeth At Night? (Bruxism)

Parents are often concerned about their children grinding their teeth as they sleep. This is called Bruxism. Often, the first indication of Bruxism is a grinding noise or teeth wearing down. Stress due to a new environment, divorce, changes at school, etc., can influence a child to grind his/her teeth. Also, if there are pressure changes which affect the ears (i.e. airplane landing and take-off) a child will grind by moving their jaw to relieve this pressure. If wear of the teeth is present, then a nightly mouth guard may be prescribed. If you suspect Bruxism, discuss this with your pediatric dentist.

Adult Teeth Coming in Behind Baby Teeth

This common occurrence is usually the result of a lower baby tooth not falling out while the permanent tooth is erupting. In most cases, it will usually fall out on its own within two months. If it doesn’t, then contact your pediatric dentist to remove the tooth. The permanent tooth should then slide into its proper place.

Xylitol – Reducing Cavities

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recognizes the benefits of xylitol for the oral health of infants, children, adolescents, and persons with special health care needs. Studies using xylitol as either a sugar substitute or a small dietary addition have demonstrated a dramatic reduction in new tooth decay and some reversal of existing dental cavities. The xylitol effect is long-lasting and possibly permanent. Xylitol is distributed throughout nature in small amounts. Some great sources of xylitol are fruits, berries, mushrooms, lettuce and corn on the cob. One cup of raspberries contains less than one gram of xylitol

4 Tips for Happy and Healthy Summer Smiles

  • Eat for your teeth

Summer is a time for picnics at the park and the beach. Sometimes it’s tempting to use teeth to open packaging for snacks, popsicles and other treats. These tasks are damaging to the teeth, causing shifting or even knocking out a tooth. Pack an implement to open these goodies.

Cold treats like ice cream, ices, frozen yogurt , which we all love, are loaded with sugars. Try frozen bananas and homemade ice treats which are better for the teeth and overall health. Also, encourage your child to drink water rather than soda which is detrimental to oral health. Infuse the water with fruit flavors, use fun cups and ice trays to entice the kids.

  • Travel Tips

During your family vacation, it can be difficult keeping up with hygiene   routines.  Remember to pack supplies like floss, toothpaste, and a travel-sized toothbrush for each member of the family. If you forget anything, most hotels have toothbrushes and other supplies available for guests, just call the front desk. It can be difficult to convince your child to brush their teeth while enjoying vacation activities, so try to make the routine extra special by asking the kids to choose a special vacation travel toothbrush with their favorite color or character on it or try a special flavored vacation toothpaste!

  • Stay On Schedule

During the summer, it can be challenging to maintain oral hygiene routines. Every family is affected by schedule change differently, so find tricks that work best for you and your child. If your child is going to summer camp, discuss with him/her the importance of keeping up their oral hygiene routine while they are having fun at camp. Be sure they have enough toothpaste, floss and mouthwash to last the whole duration of camp. Consider offering a small reward for your child if he/she comes back from camp with clean, well-maintained teeth.  Summertime may also involve making childcare arrangements while you’re at work. Be sure to instruct caregivers how to help your child manage their oral hygiene routine. This is especially important if your child has braces, retainers, or any other special oral hygiene needs.

Soaking Up the Sun

A nice cool dip in the pool can feel great during the summer, but make sure you’re protecting your teeth. Pools with an improper pH or chlorine balance can wear away the enamel on your child’s teeth. If your child is spending time outdoors enjoying the sun this summer, make sure that in addition to regular sunblock they are also using SPF lip protector. Protecting your child’s lips from the sun will help them stay safe and comfortable.

Mouth Guards

Question: Does Your Child Participate in Sports?

Popular sports such as soccer, hockey, football, lacrosse, basketball, wrestling and martial arts require safety equipment.  And most important of all are dental mouth guards.  Mouth guards are highly recommended to be worn when impact, contact and collision are likely to occur. Even when a helmet and face shield are worn, a mouth guard is essential.  The sports affected by this definition are extended to gymnastics, boxing, skateboarding, skiing, volleyball, racquetball, surfing, weightlifting, rugby and also recommended for baseball and softball infielders. It’s important to protect your child’s smile for aesthetics as well as health reasons.

Why mouth guards?

According to the American Dental Association, 10-20% of all sports related injuries are maxillofacial injuries. The National Youth Sports Foundation for Safety reports dental injuries as the most common type of orofacial injury sustained during sports participation. An athlete is 60 times more likely to sustain damage to the teeth without a protective mouth guard. Many times these injuries will result in permanent damage requiring medical intervention. The types of dental injuries sustained are chipped or broken teeth, lip and cheek injuries, root damage to the teeth, fractured crowns, fractured jaws, and concussions. Any athlete may be at risk for oral injury and any injury can be prevented with the use of a mouth guard.

What’s the best mouthguard for my child?

The most effective mouth guards are created on an exact model of your child’s teeth. Custom made mouth guards provide the best fit, comfort and the best protection. Commercially available mouth guards are often uncomfortable and do not last long. A mouth guard should fit properly, be durable, easily cleaned, and not restrict speech or breathing. A custom fitted mouth guard is adjusted for comfort and breathing by the pediatric dentist. Your child will be more confident participating in his/her chosen sport and will play better in greater comfort.

Remember that damaged teeth do not grow back. Protect that perfect smile, wear a mouth guard.