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Is My Child's Toothache Considered an Emergency? Mar 2nd, 2024

One of the hardest parts of parenting is watching your child be in pain. A toothache is one of the most common painful medical issues a child can experience. One of the most common questions our pediatric dental team, Staci Brunell, DMD, and Priyanka Patel, DMD, gets asked at Yorktown...

Are Toddlers Too Young for Cavities? Feb 8th, 2024

As your toddler’s first teeth start to emerge, their smile looks adorable and brightens up the room. However, lurking beneath that cute smile can be hidden tooth decay and cavities. As soon as their first teeth emerge, children can get cavities. Keep reading to learn more from Staci Brunell, DMD,...

3 Benefits of Special Needs Pediatric Dentistry Jan 17th, 2024

If you have a special needs child, they might need their dental visits to look different. With special needs pediatric dentistry, your child gets quality pediatric dental care in a comfortable way. At Yorktown Pediatric Dentistry in Yorktown Heights, New York, Staci Brunell, DMD, Priyanka Patel, DMD, and Gina Gill,...

What to Expect At Your Child's First Dental Cleaning  Dec 7th, 2023

Your child’s first teeth come in more quickly than you’d think. Once your child gets that first tooth, or they turn one year old, whichever comes first, they’re ready for their first visit to the dentist. The first visit to the dentist is a new experience for you and your...

How to Protect Your Child's Oral Health During the Holidays Nov 2nd, 2023

The holidays are a time filled with joy and wonder for children. But poor oral health from the holiday season festivity sweets and late nights can quickly put a damper on the season and lead to tooth decay. By protecting your child’s oral health during the holidays, they’ll finish the...

Is My Child Too Young For Orthodontics? Oct 1st, 2023

If your child has teeth out of alignment, an incorrectly proportioned jaw, or other tooth or mouth issues, they might benefit from orthodontics. Orthodontic treatment fixes various tooth, jaw, and facial issues that can cause lifelong functional impairments and overall dissatisfaction. You’re probably wondering what the best age is to...

How to Tell If Your Child Has a Dental Emergency Sep 1st, 2023

As children grow, they can experience all kinds of illnesses and injuries. One of your biggest roles as a parent is to determine when aches, pains, and accidents result in problems that mean your child needs emergency care. When your child’s teeth are the problem, knowing what constitutes a dental...

4 Early Warning Signs of Cavities Aug 1st, 2023

Finding out your child has a cavity is never any fun. Catching a cavity early, though, means less discomfort for your child, an easier treatment plan, and a lower risk of permanent problems. By knowing the early signs of a cavity, as explained by pediatric dentists Staci Brunell, DMD, and Priyanka Patel, DMD, you...

5 Questions to Ask at Your Child's First Visit Jul 1st, 2023

Your child’s first tooth is an exciting developmental milestone. When that first baby tooth starts to emerge or your child turns a year old, that means it’s time to schedule your child’s first visit to the dentist. When your child gets their first tooth, pediatric dentists Staci Brunell, DMD, and...

Why You Shouldn't Ignore a Knocked-Out Tooth Jun 1st, 2023

Kids are active and curious. Yet despite all the fun they have, medical emergencies sometimes happen—such as a knocked-out tooth. Whether your child has baby or permanent teeth, you should always take action if your child loses a tooth. Here’s why pediatric dentists Staci Brunell, DMD, and Priyanka Patel, DMD, from Yorktown Pediatric Dentistry in...

How Sealants Lower Your Child's Risk of Decay May 1st, 2023

As your child’s first teeth start to grow in, protecting them from tooth decay and cavities is of utmost importance. One of the easiest ways to protect your child’s teeth is by getting them sealants as quickly as possible. As soon as your child gets their first baby teeth, pediatric dentists Staci Brunell,...

5 Important Benefits of Special Needs Dental Care Apr 1st, 2023

When your child has special needs, going to the dentist can feel like a difficult task. Dental visits can be challenging for any child, and even more barriers can be present for a child with special needs. Happily, by seeing a dentist or orthodontist who is specialized and experienced in...

When to Take Your Toddler to the Dentist Mar 2nd, 2023

Your child grows quickly in their first years of life, and many changes occur in their mouth. They start teething, their first tooth grows in, and before you know it, they have a full set of teeth. As the parent of a toddler with a new set of baby teeth,...

Your Child's Step-by-Step Guide to Daily Braces Care Feb 1st, 2023

Braces help your child’s teeth, jaw, and bite come into alignment and can be an essential part of dental care. They also bring a significant lifestyle change, as they require daily maintenance. By learning how to care for their braces every day, orthodontic care becomes another part of your child’s daily...

5 Reasons Your Child Should Have a Dental Cleaning and Exam Twice a Year Jan 1st, 2023

Visiting the pediatric dentist is about more than just getting cavities filled. If your child has healthy teeth, the majority of their visits to Yorktown Pediatric Dentistry in Yorktown Heights, New York, will be preventive in nature. By having your child attend their recommended dental cleaning and exam twice annually, you help...

7 Simple Strategies to Reduce Your Child's Risk of Cavities Dec 1st, 2022

Getting a dreaded cavity means your child is in pain, getting exposed to harmful bacteria, and increasing their likelihood of having further tooth issues when they’re older. Cavities can seem like less of a big deal before your child has adult teeth, but cavities and gum disease at any age have the...

Tooth Extraction Recovery: What to Expect Nov 1st, 2022

If your child starts getting wisdom teeth, develops a cavity, or has an impacted tooth, they might need a tooth extraction. Getting your child’s tooth removed can sound intimidating, but the modern extraction procedure is simpler and more comfortable than ever. Once your child gets their tooth or teeth extracted, recovery...

Get Your Kid Excited About Brushing Their Teeth Oct 2nd, 2022

When your child is very small, you brush their teeth for them. But as soon as they get old enough to be able to hold a toothbrush, they need to learn how to brush their teeth by themselves. Often, getting kids to brush their teeth twice a day can feel...

Foods You Can and Can't Eat With Braces Sep 1st, 2022

If your child needs traditional metal braces to fix the alignment of their teeth, taking proper care of their teeth ensures their orthodontic treatment is more effective. By eating the correct foods while wearing braces, your child maintains their healthy teeth and avoids damaging their braces. Staci Brunell, DMD, and Gina Gill, DMD,...

What to Expect at Your Child’s Free Well Baby Dental Exam Aug 1st, 2022

When it comes to oral health, the younger you start your child, the better. Taking your child to the dentist from infancy helps their teeth and gums stay healthy, gets them used to the dentist at a young age, and starts a lifelong habit of good dental care. At Yorktown Pediatric...

5 Reasons You Should Book Your Child's Free Well Baby Dental Exam Jul 1st, 2022

Caring for your child’s dental health from infancy helps set them up for a lifetime of good oral health habits. To start your child on the best dental path, Staci Brunell, DMD, and Gina Gill, DMD, recommend booking your free well baby visit for your child aged 2 or younger. Attending a well baby...

What's the Best Age for Braces? Jun 1st, 2022

If your child’s permanent teeth have started to come in and appear crooked or otherwise malformed, there’s a good chance your child will need braces or other orthodontics. Getting braces at the right age gives your child the best opportunity to have a straight jawline and teeth for life. Staci...

Teething Hacks That Actually Support Your Baby's Oral Health May 3rd, 2022

Giving your child the best start on their oral health starts from birth. Keeping your child’s mouth and new and future teeth healthy begins well before they show signs of their first baby tooth. As an experienced pediatric dentist, Staci Brunell, DMD, of Yorktown Pediatric Dentistry in Yorktown Heights, NY,...

What Are Sealants and What Can They Do for Your Child? Apr 3rd, 2022

While it’s important to ensure that your child learns how to brush and floss properly, sometimes those techniques aren’t enough to prevent cavities. Bacteria and food debris can easily be left behind in hard-to-reach nooks and crannies, where they form plaque and work to cause tooth decay. Dental sealants can...

What to Look for When Your Baby Starts Getting Their Teeth Mar 8th, 2022

The eruption of your baby’s first teeth is an important milestone that affects their physical and social development. Primary or deciduous teeth, commonly called baby teeth, impact your baby’s facial development along with the way they speak, bite, and chew.  While your baby’s first teeth are temporary, caring for primary...

How to Determine If Your Child Is Ready for Invisalign® Feb 8th, 2022

Like the rest of their body, your child’s teeth and mouth develop at their own rate. As a result, there’s no specific age at which everyone is ready for orthodontic treatment.  In many cases, the timing of orthodontics depends on the conditions causing misalignment. While early treatment that occurs while...

Teaching Your Child to Brush and Floss Properly Jan 1st, 2022

Despite proof that good oral hygiene can promote healthy teeth and overall well-being, tooth decay remains an epidemic among children. About 40% of children have cavities when they enter kindergarten, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD). Instructing your child with the proper techniques and monitoring their progress...

How to Ensure Your Child Has a Positive Dental Visit Dec 1st, 2021

While the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children have dental exams every six months, putting that plan into action can be a challenge if your child is wary or anxious about visiting the dentist. Though you may not succeed in making it their favorite activity, you can take...

Sealant vs. Filling: Which Does My Child Need? Nov 1st, 2021

Unfortunately, tooth decay can impact your children even if you enforce proper dental hygiene and ensure they receive professional dental care. Whether cavities develop in primary or baby teeth, they shouldn’t be ignored.  Dental sealants and fillings are two types of treatments that coat or shield your child’s teeth from...

Special Treatment for Your Special Needs Child Oct 1st, 2021

Whether your special needs child requires a routine dental cleaning or treatment for an existing problem, it’s important to consider whether your dental professional can accommodate your child’s unique challenges. Taking your child to a practice that provides the physical and/or emotional modifications they need can help your child feel...

When Is Emergency Dentistry Necessary? Sep 1st, 2021

Every year, over 2 million people go to emergency rooms for tooth pain and other dental emergencies. However, since many hospitals aren’t equipped to deliver emergency dentistry, taking your child to a dental provider can give them the best chance of getting the right care as soon as possible. Emergency...

Understanding the Different Types of Extractions Aug 10th, 2021

The thought of your child having a tooth removed can be alarming. However, tooth extraction, or the removal of a damaged tooth from its socket, is a relatively common procedure in children that can provide long-term oral health benefits. Understanding the techniques involved in tooth extraction can help ease your...

How Orthodontics Can Treat Your Overcrowded Teeth Jul 27th, 2021

If your child has overcrowded teeth, they have a dental condition in which all their teeth don’t align across their upper and/or lower gumline. The affected teeth can overlap or twist within their arches, resulting in functional problems and an abnormal facial appearance.  Overcrowded teeth are one type of malocclusion,...

Do Your Kids Need Sealants? Everything You Need to Know Jul 19th, 2021

The risk of cavities is a concern for many parents. Despite best efforts for strict brushing and flossing routines on a nightly basis, cavities can still occur. This can be due to poor brushing technique or getting off-routine for an extended period of time, such as on a trip or...

How to Get Your Kids to Floss Jul 13th, 2021

Flossing is an imperative element of your child’s oral health. While brushing twice a day certainly helps to curb cavities, your child isn’t fully in the clear until they incorporate daily flossing into their routine. This is because toothbrushes can only access the surfaces of teeth, and oftentimes, debris from...

The Importance of Establishing Proper Dental Hygiene Habits in Children Jun 28th, 2021

Wondering how to give your child the best start possible in life? Teaching them to take care of their teeth, gums, and mouth is a great place to start. From your child’s first dental visit — when they get their first tooth, or no later than their first birthday —...

Proper Dental Upkeep: What to Do Daily Between Visits May 3rd, 2021

It is highly recommended to visit the dentist twice a year, or every six months. This ensures that any cavities or other oral-health problems will be diagnosed and treated in a timely manner. Putting off dental visits can lead to worsened problems, such as tooth erosion, nerve damage, or widespread...

How to Know When You Have a Cavity Apr 11th, 2021

A cavity refers to tooth decay that happens because of prolonged exposure to bacteria in the mouth. When dental hygiene is neglected (or, you’re eating more sweets than usual), it is easier than ever for bacteria to thrive on your teeth, which erodes the enamel and leads to decay.  We...

How to Make Flossing and Brushing Fun for Your Kids Apr 9th, 2021

Parents know that the most important way to promote good oral health and prevent cavities in their children is to make sure the flossing and brushing regiment is done daily and consistently. Many parents struggle with this because kids simply don’t want to - which only becomes harder as they...

How to Prevent Cavities in Kids Apr 2nd, 2021

There is one dreaded line we all wish to avoid when we’re at the dentist’s office: “You have a cavity.” Getting a filling is probably low on your child’s list of things they’d like to do on any given day, which is just one of the reasons why it’s important...

What to Do When Your Child Has a Cavity Mar 30th, 2021

It’s a moment that happens to many parents - you’re helping your child to brush their teeth or floss, and you spot it: that white spot on one of your child’s teeth, which is one of the earliest signs of a cavity forming. Or, your child may be complaining about...

Preparing for Your Child's First Trip to the Dentist Mar 11th, 2021

Routine dental visits are an important part of your child’s health and can set the stage for positive dental health and hygiene throughout their lives. Your first visit will likely focus on ways you, as a parent, can help keep your child’s teeth and gums as healthy as possible. Once...

Dr. Jeff Ginsberg Voted Best Pediatric Dentist in Westchester Jul 7th, 2020

Dr. Jeff Recognized Among Best Pediatric Dentists in Westchester County One of our proudest achievements is being voted as a top pediatric dentist in Westchester Magazine’s “Best of Westchester” for the past 12 years, which is why we’re excited to announce that we’ve made the list yet again!  Each year, Westchester...

Special Needs: Treating Children and Young Adults Apr 14th, 2020

If you have a child or young adult you care for with special needs, going to the dentist may be a source of anxiety or fear for them as well as you. Dental cleanings and other services can feel invasive and can lead to sensory overload. It is important to...

Dental Fear… Where Does it Come From? Jan 20th, 2020

Children are not born with a fear of the dentist. Research shows that parents, and other individuals, strongly influence how a child acquires fear. For example, if a parent, grandparent, sibling, or caregiver has had a bad dental experience, it is very possible that they will transmit apprehension and fear to a...

How Professional Fluoride Treatments Can Benefit Your Child Nov 8th, 2019

As Benjamin Franklin once said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” What a great motto when it comes to kids dentistry and maintaining a healthy smile! Being a proactive parent can help keep your child’s teeth strong and healthy in the long run since it’s way...

Losing Baby Teeth: What to Expect Oct 11th, 2019

Yes, it’s true, most baby teeth are going to fall out eventually. They are replaced by permanent teeth usually between ages 6- 12. Unfortunately, losing baby teeth can be stressful for children and parents. Here is what you can expect when your child starts losing baby teeth. When Will They...

Baby Pacifiers: What You Need to Know Sep 16th, 2019

Baby pacifiers can be an important tool for you to navigate through the late nights and difficult realities of life with a newborn. There are so many pacifiers available to choose from at baby stores and online. Some of the pacifiers even have orthodontist recommendations or approval to address concerns about how...

5 Back-to-School Tips from Dr. Jeff to Keep Your Kids Healthy and Happy! Aug 7th, 2019

The back-to-school rush can get hectic, and it’s easy to let things slip. By starting to re-introduce the school year routine now, the transition from summer days at the beach to sitting in a classroom can be easier and almost pain-free. Here are five tips from Dr. Jeff to make...

How a Happy Visit Can Make Young Children More Comfortable Jul 18th, 2019

Dentophobia (fear of the dentist) is one of the most common phobias in our society. Many adults already feel some level of anxiety during an appointment, so when it is time to take our children to the dentist, how can we alleviate their fears? Here are a few ways to...

10 Reasons to See Dr. Jeff Instead of Going to a Dental Clinic Jul 2nd, 2019

Dental clinics and large group practices come in a few forms. Some are corporate chains, while others are big group practices with many different dentists seeing your child. While most dentists who work in large practices are dedicated to their work, they are often overwhelmed by the sheer number of...

3 Reasons Children Need a Dental Checkup Before Summer Camp Jun 3rd, 2019

As school ends and thoughts turn to plans for summer camp, now is an excellent time for all children to receive a dental checkup. Regular dental checkups are crucial for children as well as adults, as they allow us to catch small problems before they escalate. Along with a checkup,...

Dr. Ginsberg Receives Hudson Valley Parent Award Feb 1st, 2019

The staff at Jeffrey Ginsberg, DMD Pediatric Dentistry is thrilled to announced that Dr. Jeff was recently named a Favorite Doc by Hudson Valley Parent magazine! The award was given due to his remarkable commitment to exceeding expectations for each and every family. This came as no surprise to those...

What to Expect at Your Child’s First Dental Visit Jan 16th, 2019

If your child’s first dental visit is coming up, it is normal to be nervous, especially if you are not quite comfortable with dentists yourself. Yet the first visit is a wonderful time to build relationships and positive associations that will serve your child well throughout his/her entire life. We...

Toddlers and Teeth: Setting the Stage for a Lifetime of Good Oral Hygiene Jan 16th, 2019

Since baby teeth fall out, many parents do not see the point in worrying about them. Yet a shocking 60 to 90 percent of kids develop at least one baby tooth cavity. Untreated dental issues in childhood can lead to permanent damage, but good oral health habits that are established...