There is nothing more gratifying than making a profound difference in child's life. For children born with a facial cleft or a congenital malformation to the face, their medical journey starts at birth. Treatment is intense.

For families that have no adequate insurance, costs are often prohibitive. Thus the need to raise funds to help children in need.

Dr. Zavras and Dr. Cartsos and our Convivial Dental office are proud to participate in the annual 2015 “PACES FOR FACES” WALK AND FAMILY PICNIC.

The event is taking place on Lake Quannapowitt, Wakefield, MA., Sunday, October 4, 2015.  The walk starts at 10:30 a.m.  and will end at 2:00 p.m.

Our goal is to raise money to contribute toward the FOUNDATION FOR FACES OF CHILDREN affiliated with TUFTS FLOATING HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN.

If you would like to participate, and/or donate towards this cause, please see flyer. The organization's  website is pacesforfaces.com/2015-walk

We look forward to seeing you there!!!

Labor Day is upon us, and that means the non-official end to summer. Before the kids head back to school and temperatures start to cool down, this is your last chance to barbeque in the beautiful Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts community, head to the lake, and wear your favorite pair of white pants.

About Labor Day

Each year, Labor Day is celebrated on the first Monday of September. It is the one day of year Americans celebrate their achievements in work, which the US Department of Labor says has contributed to prosperity and well-being of America as a whole. Americans have been celebrating Labor Day since the 1880s, and today it is an official federal holiday.

Interesting Facts About Labor Day

• Every year, more than 30 million Americans travel over Labor Day weekend.
• Canada was the first to celebrate Labor Day, and the US soon followed.
• President Cleveland made Labor Day and official US holiday in 1894.
• Labor Day marks the beginning of the NFL and NCAA sports seasons for fans.
• Labor Day marks the end of hot dog season, when Americans consume seven billion hot dogs.

Thanks for being a valued patient of our pediatric dental and orthodontic office. Our staff would like to wish you a safe and happy Labor Day weekend. Enjoy your time off!

You already know that Convivial Dental recommends you come in for a checkup and cleaning at least every six months, but do you know what your child’s dental needs are? From the time children are babies and growing in their first teeth, their oral health care needs may be different from adults. It’s important to know what they need, and when, to help them grow strong, healthy teeth.

When to See Our Team at Convivial Dental

While dental care (at home) can begin as soon as your baby starts to show signs of that first tooth, most experts do not recommend you see a dentist until your child is at least one year old. The child will likely be too young at this point to have a full dental exam, but we can take a look at your baby’s teeth and give you tips for brushing and flossing properly.

By the time your child has all of his or her baby teeth—usually around 24 to 30 months of age—we can begin scheduling regular checkups and cleanings.

What to Expect on the First Visits

The first visit to our Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts office for a full exam will mostly involve getting to know Drs. Cartsos and Zavras and staff members, and making your child feel comfortable. Let us know if you would like to sit in the exam room during the appointment, but keep in mind that it may be beneficial to leave your child alone with Drs. Cartsos and Zavras for a portion of the appointment so we can start building trust with your child.

Our team at Convivial Dental will likely do some or all of the following during your child's visit:

• Look for signs of decay or other tooth or gum problems
• Examine your child’s bite, checking for misalignment that could lead to problems in the future
• Clean the teeth, and apply fluoride if your child is old enough
• Talk to you about proper oral health care for your children
• Answer any questions you may have about caring for your child’s teeth, which may include topics like fluoride needs, nutrition and diet, teething, and the frequency of future checkups

In most cases, we will recommend that you bring your child in every six months for regular checkups, the same as your recommended frequency.

Understanding your child’s unique dental needs is important for providing the best possible care when it becomes necessary. We look forward to building a good relationship with your child so coming to the dentist is a fun, rewarding experience and not a frightening one.

Today, Drs. Cartsos and Zavras and our team at Convivial Dental thought we would answer some of the most frequent questions about pediatric dentistry and oral health we hear from parents.

What constitutes a “healthy, balanced diet” for my child?

A healthy, balanced diet contains all the nutrients your child needs to grow, including one serving each of fruits and vegetables, breads and cereals, milk and dairy products, and meat, fish and eggs per day. Make sure your child limits snacking in between meals and limits how frequently they consume food or beverages that contain sugar, which is known to cause tooth decay. Besides pastries, cookies, and candy, sugars are usually found in processed foods such as crackers, cereals, and soda, as well as in condiments like ketchup.

Should my kid give up all foods that contain sugar?

Absolutely not, we simply recommend choosing and serving sugars sparingly. A food with sugar is safer for teeth if it is eaten with a meal, not as a snack. When your child chews during his or her meal, the saliva produced helps neutralize the acids that are found in sugary and starchy foods. Foods that are not easily washed away from your child’s teeth by saliva, water, or milk have more cavity-causing potential.

What causes cavities?

Many types of bacteria live in our mouths—some good, some bad. When these bacteria come into contact with sugary foods left behind on your child’s teeth after eating, acids are produced. These acids then attack the enamel, and eventually eat through the enamel and create holes in the teeth, which Drs. Cartsos and Zavras and our team call cavities, or caries.

How can I help my child avoid cavities?

This is a great question that we hear a lot. Make sure that your child brushes his teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Flossing daily is also important, as flossing can reach spots between the teeth that brushing simply can’t. And finally, we encourage you to schedule regular appointments with Drs. Cartsos and Zavras at our Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts office so that we can check the state of your child’s teeth and gums, as well as provide a professional cleaning to protect him or her from cavities and gum disease.

What is the best way to clean my baby’s teeth?

We recommend you clean your baby’s gums after feedings with a damp, soft washcloth. This is even before your baby’s first tooth appears. As soon as his or her first tooth does appear, you may begin using a toothbrush with soft bristles and a small head. You can most likely find a toothbrush designed for infants at your local drugstore or ask us for one during your next visit.

What should I do if my child has a toothache?

First, we recommend rinsing the irritated area with warm salt water and placing a cold compress on his or her face if it is swollen. If you have any at home, give your child acetaminophen for any pain, rather than placing aspirin on the affected teeth or gums. Finally, give us a call as soon as possible to schedule an appointment with Drs. Cartsos and Zavras.

We hope that helps! Please give us a call if you have any questions or ask us next time you visit our office for your child’s appointment with Drs. Cartsos and Zavras! If you have any other questions, or would like to schedule an appointment, we would love to hear from you.