Request Request an Appointment Call Call Us Map View Map

Answering the Question, “What Do My Teeth Do?”

June 18, 2014

shutterstock_153698357It is very important to stay well informed with anything you put your mind to. Whether it is buying a car or changing your hair color, a lot of research and information can go into figuring out exactly what you want and how things are supposed to work. The wonderful thing is that your smile is no different. Sure, we all know that we have teeth, but the different functions of our teeth play a big role in our smile. The doctors at South Shore Dental Care are big believers in patient education, and they want you to be as informed as possible with it comes to your teeth.

One type of tooth that resides in your mouth is the incisors. These teeth are the eight that are in the front and center of your mouth, and they are the teeth you use when you take bites of your food. Canines are another type of tooth in your mouth, and these appear between sixteen and twenty months of age. These are the sharpest teeth in your mouth, and they are generally used to tear your food apart.

Premolars are used for chewing and grinding food, and you have four on either side of your mouth. Your premolars start to appear when you are around the age of ten or eleven. Your molars are also used for chewing and grinding food, and these start to appear between twelve and fifteen months of age. The molars erupt around the age of six years old. Lastly, the third molars, also known as your wisdom teeth, are the last teeth to develop and do not erupt until the age of about eighteen to twenty years old. Some people do not even develop their third molars, which eliminates the need to remove them should they cause crowding.

So the next time you find yourself eating something or brushing your teeth, take note of the amazing power your teeth have, and appreciate them for all the hard work they do!

At South Shore Dental Care, we’re committed to providing our patients with a wide array of dental services, high-quality cosmetic dentistry, and up to the minute dental technology. Our Massapequa dental office serves patients from Long Island, Merrick, Bellmore, and Wantagh. Call us today to schedule your appointment.

How To Make Oral Care Fun For Your Kids!

June 4, 2014

shutterstock_158016329Many parents may find it difficult to make oral care exciting and fun for their children. Getting your child to brush their teeth may be a hassle, every morning and night being a feat to overcome. Although some parents have come up with creative ways to make sure brushing teeth is fun, some parents still may be wondering how they can get their children to be excited about good oral care. The doctors at South Shore Dental Care are avid believers in establishing good oral care routines early on, and we have some suggestions for parents who want to make brushing teeth time into fun time!

One of the things parents can do to make brushing teeth time fun for their children is to join them in the fun! Brush your teeth with your children, and it will become a wonderful bonding moment between you.  Show your child how you brush your teeth, and let them mimic you. Fun toothbrushes are also a wonderful way to make oral care fun! If your child has a favorite cartoon movie or superheroes, having their toothbrushes match is a wonderful way to get them excited about brushing their teeth.

Another great way to get kids excited about brushing their teeth is to have tasty toothpaste! There are many flavors of toothpastes made especially for children, helping them enjoy the experience much, much more. Making up a song is another wonderful way to get children excited about brushing their teeth. Kids usually respond more to song rather than words, so making the experience a fun, musical one is definitely a way to get the on the right track of wanting to take care of their smile. No matter how you choose to make brushing teeth a fun experience, make sure your child’s smile is the top priority, and accomplishing great oral care will be a breeze!

At South Shore Dental Care, we’re committed to providing our patients with a wide array of dental services, high-quality cosmetic dentistry, and up to the minute dental technology. Our Massapequa dental office serves patients from Long Island, Merrick, Bellmore, and Wantagh. Call us today to schedule your appointment.