Learn about oral health through video
Topics covered:
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Brushing & Flossing Techniques
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Children’s Dental Health
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Preventing Cavities & Gum Disease and more!
To learn more about better dental health be sure to visit the ADA’s Mouthhealthy webpage.
Author: paul
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Juice and Child Dental Health: What Every Parent Should Know
Juice is often marketed as a healthy option for children, but when it comes to juice and child dental health, there’s a hidden downside. Many fruit juices are loaded with natural sugars that can contribute to early tooth decay — especially in toddlers.
The American Academy of Pediatrics advises that children under one year of age should not drink juice at all. For older children, juice should be limited and offered only during meals. This reduces the amount of time sugar is in contact with teeth, which lowers the risk of cavities.
Instead of juice, encourage your child to drink water or eat whole fruits. Whole fruits contain fiber and are far less likely to cause tooth damage. If your child does consume juice, avoid letting them sip it throughout the day in bottles or sippy cups. Prolonged exposure to sugar is one of the leading causes of tooth decay in kids.
At our Fair Lawn dental office, Dr. Mary Mancuso and her team focus on helping parents make informed decisions. We provide dental health tips, regular checkups, and preventive care tailored to every stage of childhood.
Remember: Healthy habits start early. Limiting juice is a simple, effective step toward protecting your child’s smile for life.
For more on early dental care, visit our Child Dentistry page.
Baby Teething Timeline – When Your Baby’s Teeth Come In
Did you know your baby is born with 20 tooth buds already developing beneath the gums? Understanding the baby teething timeline can help you know what to expect — and how to keep your child comfortable and healthy through this milestone.
Most babies begin teething around 6 months, though some may start earlier or later. Teething symptoms may include drooling, irritability, chewing on fingers or objects, and tender gums. These are all normal stages in your baby’s oral development.
Your baby’s first dental visit should happen by age 1, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
Watch this helpful video from the American Dental Association to learn when teeth erupt and how to recognize the signs of teething:
At our Fair Lawn dental office, Dr. Mancuso and her team love seeing children for their first visits. We’re here to help you care for your child’s smile – right from the start.
Getting the most from your dental insurance
As another year winds down, we want to remind you to take advantage of your unused insurance benefits, as most companies do not allow you to carry these over to the next year.
Most insurance runs on a calendar year, which means on December 31st, any unused benefits are lost. If you are in need of dental treatment, but have been putting it off, it’s important to realize that you are not only risking more expensive and extensive treatment down the road. Those are YOUR benefits! You have earned those benefits by either paying for them, or working for them! Why throw them away? Why pay another deductible? Why run the risk of a fee increases?
And if you do not have any recommended treatment, this may be the perfect time for cosmetic enhancements, like teeth whitening, or bonding. By completing this treatment before the end of the year, you can maximize your insurance benefits, while enjoying better dental health.
Why Are Regular Dental Visits Important?
Regular dental visits are one of the best ways to prevent serious oral health issues before they start. The American Dental Association recommends seeing your dentist at least twice a year – but depending on your unique needs, you may benefit from more frequent visits.
Dr. Mary Mancuso and her team in Fair Lawn NJ are committed to making routine dental care accessible for all patients. That’s why we offer an In-Office Dental Savings Program, designed especially for patients without dental insurance. This program includes routine dental visits at reduced fees — sometimes as much as 50% off standard prices — making preventive care easier to maintain.
These visits typically include:
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Professional cleaning to remove plaque and tartar
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Dental examination to check for cavities and gum issues
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Oral cancer screening and X-rays when needed
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Personalized advice on brushing, flossing, and nutrition
Skipping routine visits can lead to:
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Undiagnosed cavities and gum disease
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Higher treatment costs later
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Missed opportunities to detect oral cancer early
Affordable Dental Visits Without Insurance
At our Fair Lawn office, your oral health comes first. We understand that not everyone has dental coverage, so we’ve created solutions to help families and individuals stay on top of their care. Our in-office plan removes barriers to getting the treatment you need.
Learn more about our In-House Dental Savings Program
Visit our Child Dentistry page for early dental tips
Wisdom Teeth – What You Should Know
Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, typically emerge between the ages of 17 and 21. This late arrival is why they’re often associated with maturity — hence the name “wisdom” teeth. While some patients experience no problems, many find that wisdom teeth can lead to dental complications if not monitored closely.
At our Fair Lawn dental office, Dr. Mary Mancuso and her team pay special attention to the development of wisdom teeth, especially in teens and young adults. When these molars erupt properly and have enough space, they can function just like your other back teeth. However, many people don’t have room in their mouth to accommodate them, which can lead to discomfort, crowding, and even infection.
Wisdom teeth can grow in crooked, become trapped (impacted) beneath the gums, or only partially erupt. These scenarios may cause pain, difficulty flossing, swelling, or damage to nearby teeth. In some cases, a cyst may form near an impacted tooth, threatening the surrounding bone or roots.
Dr. Mancuso may recommend removing your wisdom teeth if there are signs of:
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Pain or pressure in the back of the mouth
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Infection or swelling in the gums
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Damage to adjacent teeth
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Gum disease
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Tooth decay that is difficult to treat
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Cysts or tumors near the third molars
If you’re considering braces, wisdom teeth may also need to be removed as part of your orthodontic plan.
Even if your wisdom teeth aren’t currently causing issues, they should be monitored with regular dental check-ups. At each visit, we’ll assess their position and health with the help of x-rays and clinical evaluation.
Concerned about wisdom teeth? Call our Fair Lawn office today to schedule an evaluation with Dr. Mancuso and protect your long-term dental health.