Author: Ryan Boey

pediatric dentist helping child smile and feel calm in dental chair

How To Prevent Dental Anxiety in Children

Written by Ryan Boey on August 30, 2023. Posted in Blog, Pediatric Dentistry.

It’s normal for children and adults to feel fear and stress at their dentist appointments.
Everything is new and unknown to them, and the medical setting can be a bit overwhelming.
Preventing their dental anxiety starts by bringing them to the dentist at an early age so they can
get used to teeth cleanings and exams. There are other ways to help your child cope with their
dental anxiety, and understanding the importance of going to the dentist can help prevent future
dental issues. Learn below how to avoid dental anxiety in children so you can teach your child
the importance of good oral health!

Three Reasons for Dental Anxiety in Children

There are many reasons for dental anxiety in children. To help your child overcome their fear, it’s
important first to know where it comes from.

Fear Of Pain

Fear of pain is one of the most common reasons children are anxious about the dentist. The
dentist isn’t always a painful experience compared to what children hear about from adults or
other children’s scary dental moments. Pain associated with going to the dentist has a bad
reputation and can make your child fearful their appointment will hurt. Pediatric dentists are
specifically trained to help your child feel comfortable during their entire treatment. Alleviating
pain and worry from start to finish is what they are committed to doing for your child.

Fear Of Having No Control

Many children fear feeling trapped in a dental chair and not knowing what will happen during
their procedure. Having no control can be a scary thought for not only children but adults too.
Having tools in their mouth can cause them to be afraid of not being able to control or
communicate how they are feeling. This can be very overwhelming and cause them to cry or
become restless during their appointment, making them even more anxious for the next one.
Pediatric dentists can pause between sections of the mouth and communicate with your child to
see how they are doing. This will not only give them a break but keep them comfortable and
relaxed throughout.

Fear Of The Unknown

When a child goes to the dentist, they fear what will happen. Not knowing something can be
scary, especially for children at a young age who are not always aware of what’s happening.
Many children may fear having a cavity or what things will feel like in their mouths. Sometimes it
may even be hard to pinpoint what they are afraid of. They may be anxious because they do not
know why they need a procedure or what it will do to them. Being honest and open with your
child will help them feel they are aware of their appointment.

How To Alleviate Dental Anxiety & Make Your

Child Comfortable

Every parent wants to alleviate the stress and anxiety that comes from their child’s dentist
appointment. There are many ways to make your child more comfortable at their next dentist
appointment. Discover below how to prevent dental anxiety in your child and teach them how to
cope before their appointments.

● Bring a comfort item: Many children have a favorite toy or blanket that makes them feel
safe and comfortable. This item may help them feel more relaxed during their dental
visit.

● Provide a distraction: Keeping your child distracted while in a medical setting can help
keep them feel more relaxed while waiting for their appointment. Letting them play on
your phone or tablet or listen to music in the waiting room will distract them from where
they are. Some dental offices have games for children to enjoy as well.

● Use positive reinforcement: Teaching your child, positive reinforcement will make them
feel brave and motivated. Rewarding them after their visit will make them feel confident
to take on the appointment to seek the reward. Letting them have a treat, play video
games, or pick a place for lunch will soon teach them that going to the dentist isn’t as
bad as it seems.

● Be honest and communicate: Communicating with your child and the dental staff is the
best way to help your child cope with their anxiety. Let the dental team know your child is
nervous and let your child know that you will be there by their side the whole time. Being
honest with them will help them feel comfortable and build trust.

● Do not delay dental care: Avoiding your child’s dental appointments because of their
anxiety is never the answer. Putting off an appointment will put them at risk of developing
worse dental problems and requiring more extensive treatments later on.

Make An Appointment With A Friendly & Welcoming

Pediatric Dentist in Bedford, NH

At Lindner Dental Associates, we understand your child may be nervous or restless in our
chairs. Our team of board-certified pediatric dentists are committed to providing a comfortable
and welcoming environment that helps take their minds off being at the dentist. Our pediatric
dentists are gentle, patient, and committed to teaching your little one the importance of clean
teeth and great oral care. Learn more about our pediatric dental services in Bedford, NH, and
contact us to make an appointment!

Hygiene Recommendations For Our Braces Patients

Written by Ryan Boey on May 25, 2023. Posted in Blog, Braces, Oral Hygiene.

The perfect smile and straight teeth are a winning combination: you are more confident with your smile, and your teeth are easier to keep clean. However, if you are one of many who need braces to achieve this, the brackets and wires create temporary oral hygiene challenges. We are going to review helpful tips and advice to care for your teeth with braces.

Brush after you eat. Keep a soft, round-bristle toothbrush with you and brush after every meal or snack. Clean between your teeth with interdental brushes. If you are snacking on the go and don’t have a toothbrush with you, swish your mouth with water. This helps to remove food particles.
Brush at the gum line and below the brackets. Brush at a 45-degree angle with bristles pointed toward your gum line, then brush the top and bottom brackets.
Floss at least once daily. Please use the floss threaders or Platypus flossers to get behind the wire.
Water flossers are also great to help remove food debris; however, they do not take the place of regular dental floss.
Visit your Orthodontist and do not skip appointments. Make sure to see your orthodontist and keep your appointments. Catching any developing conditions early on is key to caring for your teeth.

And of course, eat healthy foods! Sugary foods can get stuck in your brackets, and are more likely to cause tooth decay. Avoiding the following foods as they can lead to damaging your braces:

Popcorn
Jellybeans
Taffy
Nuts
Gum
Hard candy
Caramel
Soda and Gatorade

Braces can be uncomfortable when you first get them, so practicing good oral hygiene at first can seem challenging. Be patient, as most of the discomfort goes away, and like anything new, when you do it enough, it becomes part of your routine. Before you know it, you’ll get your braces removed and you can show off that winning smile.

Lindner Dental Associates and Our Promise to Nicholas: 12 Years of Smiles and Sponsorship

Written by Ryan Boey on April 24, 2023. Posted in Blog.

April 17, 2023 – Bedford NH: Lindner Dental Associates has been a proud sponsor of Our Promise to Nicholas (OPTN) for 12 years, bringing smiles to children and their families from the greater Bedford area. Established in 2009 as a nonprofit charitable foundation, OPTN was founded by Chris and Heather Dainiak of Bedford, NH, after their son Nicholas was diagnosed with a rare, fatal neurological brain disease called Batten Disease. Nicholas’ parents promised him that they would work tirelessly to find a cure. An estimated two to four children out of 100,000 in the United States are affected with this debilitating disease.

With a commitment to serving the greater Bedford community, Lindner Dental Associates provides outstanding dental care for people of all ages, and supports many causes, especially those that are youth oriented. Held at the NH Sportsplex in Bedford, 1200 guests attended the event, with 100 volunteers, and 25 vendors and sponsors in rows of tables lining the indoor field with eggs filled with goodies from each child. 375 eggs were given to the children that came to our table, along with other items, and a corn hole game that is always great fun. This year, the Tooth Fairy made her appearance and was a great hit with the everyone, especially the children. With her magic bubble wand, she enchanted all, and answered lots of questions. OPTN raised $20,000, going toward science, research nursing care and family support toward children with Batten Disease.

Dental Services in Bedford, NH: Lindner Dental

If you are interested in learning more about Lindner Dental Associates, please visit us on the website, as www.lindnerdental.com or call us at 603-624-3900. We would love to have you and your family become part of our dental family!

Why Facial Protection and Mouthguards are a MUST

Written by Ryan Boey on April 15, 2023. Posted in Blog.

We want to remind you to play it safe when participating in any type of recreational or organized
activity where your face may come into contact with anything that can damage your mouth and teeth!
An estimated 12 million people ages 5 to 22 have a sports-related injury. This has led to 20 million
lost days of school and approximately $33 billion in healthcare costs.

The most common causes of dental injuries include:

falling over
being hit in the face
having an accident while playing a sport

Some activities and sports are more likely than others to lead to accidents that cause dental injury.
The most common activities that lead to childhood injuries are: basketball, football, bicycling,
playgrounds, soccer, lacrosse, hockey, trampolining and skateboarding.

While some sports related injuries are unavoidable, many can be prevented. Mouth guards and
facemasks have been shown to reduce both the frequency and severity of dental and facial trauma.
It’s best to wear a fitted mouth guard (one that’s custom-made by your dentist).

At Lindner Dental Associates, we make custom mouth guards using cutting-edge digital scanning
technology and 3D printers. Digital impressions allow the dentist to create a virtual, computer-
generated replica of the hard and soft tissues in the mouth using lasers and other optical scanning
devices. This technology captures clear and accurate impressions in minutes, without the need for
traditional impression materials (goop) that are often times messy, can have a bad taste, and are
notoriously uncomfortable. Digital scans are fast, accurate and comfortable! Once the digital scan is
taken, 3D printers are used to print highly precise models of your teeth and a lab technician uses the
models to fabricate your customize mouth guard.

We want to help you prevent serious and painful injuries that can take the fun out of what you enjoy.
Whether your child is playing a contact sport or just having fun at recess, at the park, or a backyard
game of kickball, accidents happen. Mouth guards are a must!

For more information, contact us at www.lindnerdental.com

Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate – The Importance of Good Dental Care Essentials

Written by Ryan Boey on April 14, 2023. Posted in Blog.

Cleft lip and palate are the most common birth defects on the U.S. Cleft lip is a baby’s upper lip doesn’t form completely, and has an opening in it. Cleft palate is a baby’s palate (roof of the mouth) doesn’t form completely and has an opening in it.

1 in every 1,600 babies is born with cleft lip and cleft palate
1 in every 2,800 babies is born with cleft lip without cleft palate
1 in every 1,700 babies is born with cleft palate

Both cleft lip and cleft palate occurs between in early pregnancy, between 4 and 7 weeks for the baby’s lip to form and the palate forms between 6 and 9 weeks of pregnancy. Oral clefts don’t always happen together—a baby can have one without the other

Most babies are diagnosed with cleft lip or cleft palate after birth, while some babies with certain types of cleft palate may not be diagnosed until later in life. If you have an ultrasound, your provider may see your baby’s cleft lip or palate. Babies and children born with cleft lip or palate generally have dental problems. After surgical repair, and as children grow, they generally have missing, extra, or malformed teeth, and are at a higher risk for cavities, periodontal disease, and other oral health problems. Routine dental care and orthodontic monitoring are critical to having successful outcomes.

With good support from parents and your dental team, providing your child with good dental care, ensures that they will have healthy teeth and a beautiful smile.

Dental Services in Bedford, NH: Lindner Dental

We at Lindner Dental Associates are experts at treating children with cleft lip and palate and look forward to caring for your child. For more information, contact us on our webpage or call us at 603-624-3900!

3 Ways To Determine if Your Child Needs Braces

Written by Ryan Boey on April 3, 2023. Posted in Blog.

Teeth braces are commonly used to address a variety of dental problems, including crooked teeth, gaps, or straightening. Not every child will need braces, but those who do usually get them between the ages of 8 and 14. A child’s genetics play a large role in whether or not they may need braces. If your teeth were in need of braces, there is a good chance your child might as well.

Does your child need braces? Here are three things to look for:

1. Your Child Has Crowded Teeth

When your child has lost all their baby teeth, it will not be long until their adult teeth start to grow. A common issue some children run into is not having enough room for their adult teeth to grow. This is known as crowded teeth. Crowded teeth can cause discomfort and restrict new teeth from growing properly. Braces are a common solution for crowded teeth, as the braces are fitted to guide teeth into proper locations.

2. Your Child Has Gaps Between Teeth

New adult teeth can grow at different rates. As your child ages into their teenage years, it is not uncommon for gaps to occur in between teeth. Braces can address gaps by pulling the teeth closer together and closing the gap.

3. Your Child’s Teeth Look Misaligned

Misaligned teeth can cause discomfort or difficulty chewing. Fortunately, teeth that are not straight or misaligned can easily be fixed with braces. The moment you notice your child’s teeth are misaligned, the sooner you should contact a dental expert and inquire about braces.

Contact Lindner Dental in Bedford, NH!

If you have any questions or need assistance determining if your child needs braces, contact our expert team at Lindner Dental! Our amazing orthodontists will be happy to help any way we can! With our decades of experience, passion, and commitment, you and your child will be in good hands!

Written by Ryan Boey on April 3, 2023. Posted in Blog.

Karate and Marvin the Molar Make a Great Team

Bedford Martial Arts Academy’s Elite After School Program

Welcomes Lindner Dental Associates Mascot, Marvin the Molar

What do karate and children’s dental hygiene have in common? A great deal, actually. Lindner Dental Associates, PC proudly provided an hour of fun and information to the children at Bedford Martial Arts Academy’s Elite After School Program. On hand to speak with the children ranging in age from 5 to 9, was mascot, “Marvin the Molar”. Marvin spoke to the children about making sure they practice good dental care, including brushing twice daily, flossing, and staying away from sugary treats and drinks – all part of having a healthy body. The children also brushed Marvin’s teeth, showed him their best karate kicks, and had their pictures taken with him.

“It is important for children to develop good health habits early, stated Meg Steenbruggan, director of the Elite After School Program. As health and wellness educators, martial arts encompasses a healthy mind and body, which includes good dental hygiene. Lindner Dental Associates’ mascot, Marvin is a great way to make children feel comfortable and have fun learning about the importance of taking care of their teeth.”

The event was well received and will now be an annual happening. “We are very pleased to be part of the Bedford community, and look forward to this event growing as time goes on, said Dr. Tracy Pogal-Sussman, Orthodontist. We are committed to our mission of providing the best dental care possible.” Children’s teeth in particular, are very susceptible to cavities and other dental issues and making it fun is all part of Lindner Dental’s mission. Karate and teeth, indeed do have a lot in common after all.

Contact Lindner Dental in Bedford, NH!

If you have any questions about your teeth or would like to schedule a dental visit, contact our team at Lindner Dental! You can also call our office at 603-624-3900. For decades, our experience and passion in the dental industry have allowed us to help those in the Bedford, NH, community!

Reasons Not To Delay A Dental Visit

Written by Ryan Boey on March 8, 2023. Posted in Blog.

While it may seem convenient in the moment to push back or cancel your dental visit, it can lead to serious ramifications regarding the health of your teeth. This blog will cover some of the primary reasons you should visit the dentist regularly.

Severe Tooth Decay

If you have a toothache, sensitive tooth, or other oral health problem that you believe is being caused by a cavity, delaying your visit to the dentist will only make the problem worse and can lead to severe tooth decay. Severe tooth decay can create a wide range of problems that are more serious than a cavity, including the need for tooth extractions, root canal procedures, dental crowns, and much more. With regular exams with your dentist, you can monitor the health of your teeth to combat severe tooth decay.

Advanced Gum Disease

Delaying your dental exam also opens the possibility of developing advanced gum disease. Gum disease has two main stages: gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is the most common form of gum disease and is the least severe. When caught at this early stage, gingivitis can be cured or reversed, making routine exams an important part of your oral hygiene. When left unchecked, gingivitis can turn into periodontitis, a stage of gum disease that is highly destructive and irreversible. Periodontitis can lead to bleeding gums, damage to the ligaments or joints between the root of the tooth and its socket, tooth loss, and even diseases that spread to other body parts. To prevent advanced gum disease, visit your dentist at the earliest signs of gingivitis!

Infections

Last but certainly not least, delaying a dental visit could lead to serious complications of oral infections. If tooth decay and gum disease set in, your oral health could worsen, allowing infections and bacteria to spread to other parts of your mouth, and in serious cases, to other parts of your body. Bacteria and infections this severe can require additional dental care, and if not treated properly, could enter your bloodstream and cause a widespread infection.

Contact Lindner Dental In Bedford, NH!

If you have any questions about the ramifications of delaying a dental visit or would like to schedule a dental visit, contact our team at Lindner Dental! You can also call our office at 603-624-3900. For decades, our experience and passion in the dental industry have allowed us to help those in the Bedford, NH community!

Benefits of Oral Health for Babies and Toddlers

Written by Ryan Boey on March 8, 2023. Posted in Blog.

Lifelong oral health starts at a young age, so it’s essential for parents to demonstrate and teach their children about good oral hygiene practices early on. Along with at-home oral hygiene practices, your child should regularly see the dentist by the time they are one year old. In this blog, we discuss how crucial early oral health can set children up for good overall health & well-being!

Good Oral Health Can Prevent Tooth Decay

Practicing good oral health with your baby or toddler can help prevent tooth decay at the age they are most susceptible to it. As soon as your baby’s first tooth emerges from their gums, they are at risk for developing cavities. Tooth decay is especially common for babies who are put to sleep with a bottle of milk, juice, or other sugary drink. In severe cases, infants with tooth decay could require extractions. By practicing good dental hygiene with your child from the time they are an infant, you can help establish and maintain their oral health for years!

Promote Healthy Gums

By practicing good oral hygiene with your children from birth, you can promote healthy gums! Follow these easy steps to promote healthy gums in your infant:

Gently clean their mouth after feeding them. To do this, wipe any remaining milk or other food off the gums using a clean, damp washcloth. You should do this at least twice per day, especially after their last feeding of the day.
Brush their teeth with an infant toothbrush once their first tooth emerges.

Set a Foundation for Lifelong Oral Health Habits

By demonstrating and teaching your children about good oral hygiene practices at a young age, you can set up their oral health for life! In addition to teaching your children about at-home oral hygiene practices like twice daily brushing and flossing, you should bring your child to routine dental visits starting at a young age. When toddlers become comfortable with the dentist, they’re far more likely to visit the dentist regularly as adults.

Dentistry Services for All Ages at Lindner Dental in Bedford, NH

Lindner Dental Associates has been serving the Bedford, NH and surrounding communities with friendly and experienced dental services for nearly four decades now! From pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, and oral surgery to adult and cosmetic dentistry, we love helping our patients! Contact us on our website or call us at 603-624-3900 to get started on your dental visit today!