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“Dr. Azadpur and everyone working at Simsbury Pediatric & Adolescent Dentistry that I have met, have been kind, knowledgeable, compassionate, as well as highly competent.

The truth is, as a parent, it's me who has a MAJOR phobia about the dentist, and as a mom, taking my kids to the dentist on top of my own visits to my dentist can seem like torture. But Simsbury Pediatric & Adolescent Dentistry has always been a calm vibe for me (AND OF COURSE FOR MY CHILDREN). Thank you, Dr. Azadpur and everyone at Simsbury Pediatric & Adolescent Dentistry.” – Patient's Parent

Spring is here, and everyone at Simsbury Pediatric & Adolescent Dentistry couldn't be more excited! Warmer weather, buds popping up on the trees, and flowers peeking out of the ground are some of our favorite things about spring. Time to put away the winter gear and dust off the lawn mower! Open up the windows and bring on the fresh air.

Spring cleaning is a tradition many of us undertake with varying degrees of enthusiasm, but have you considered a spring clean for your oral health? Keep drinking lots of water and limit sugary treats and beverages. Brush at least twice a day and floss once a day. Be sure to keep all appointments since delaying treatment can lead to conditions getting worse! It is tempting to cancel an appointment when the weather is so nice, but our spring and summer calendars are filling up fast and it may be a while before we can get your child in for a rescheduled appointment.

And for those who are also looking to tackle some at home cleaning, try tackling projects in 15-to-20-minute chunks and before long, the house will be fresh and clean.

While we're on the topic of health, let's not forget the importance of nourishing our bodies with the right foods. With the arrival of the new season comes tons of fresh fruits and vegetables that are not only delicious but also pack a punch of vitamins and nutrients essential for growth and development. They also help keep those face and jaw muscles strong, which is vital to healthy development. And for those looking for springtime adventures and getting their bodies moving, our area has tons of beautiful trails, state parks, and the breathtaking view from the ridgeline at Heublein Tower – perfect for enjoying the longer days and warmer weather.

Our team is also gearing up for some exciting trips and celebrations. From Shari's anticipated trip to the Galapagos Islands to Jill's family adventure to Disney, it's clear that spring fever has hit us all. And let's not forget to show our appreciation for our dedicated staff during Dental Hygienist Appreciation Week and Admin Professionals Day – they're the heartbeat of our practice. Thank you, Cindy, Annette, Courtney, Pat, Jill, Susan, Kelly, and Shari!

In closing, please make every effort to keep appointments. Our schedule is very full and if you cancel, it may be a few months before we can get your child back in. We do maintain an ASAP list and do our best to accommodate patient schedules as much as possible. Also, please let us know prior to an appointment if your dental insurance has changed. We have around 40 or more patients every day and are not able to call insurance companies on your behalf. It is your responsibility to know your coverage and if it has changed or lapsed, payment in full may be required at the time of the appointment. We reserve the right to charge a fee for last-minute cancellations or missed appointments. Our commitment to your family's dental health is unwavering, and we look forward to supporting you through this season!

Many parents are unaware that children can also suffer from symptoms of halitosis, better known as chronic bad breath. This common oral problem affects a majority of the population, including both adults and children. During treatment for this condition, it’s worthwhile to focus on the cause of the problem. Take a look at the most common reasons why your child might develop bad breath.

Having constant bad breath can be embarrassing and troublesome. Most often, boys and girls develop halitosis as a side effect of some sort of upper respiratory infection. It may be a common cold, allergies, or flu symptoms.

When the nasal passages are blocked, it’s more likely that your child will breathe through the mouth. Mouth breathing may also occur if your youngster is put on medication that decreases saliva flow. Mouth breathing can make bad breath much worse if there isn’t enough saliva to cleanse the area.

Another cause of halitosis in children can be tonsillitis. When your child’s airway is constricted, he or she is more likely to mouth-breath. When the tissues in your mouth dry out, bacteria will grow and increase in potency. If you notice symptoms of tonsillitis in your child such as a fever, swollen throat, trouble swallowing, chills, or congestion, get your little one to treatment right away.

Halitosis in children is can also be caused by an infection of the mouth. If your child’s teeth or gums are infected, odor will developed if untreated. Infection can occur due to inadequate brushing and flossing, which can lead to gum disease or cavities. If cavities are left untreated, they can develop a strong, noticeable odor. If you think your child has an infection or cavity, contact Simsbury Pediatric & Adolescent Dentistry and schedule an appointment.

Other causes of halitosis may be certain pungent foods your child eats, or bacteria built up on the tongue. Make sure your son or daughter brushes and flosses thoroughly every day. Some mouthwashes may be beneficial for your child to alleviate bad breath caused by leftover bacteria in the mouth. Other ways of treating of halitosis can vary, based on the cause of the problem.

If you’re unsure about why your child has halitosis, contact Simsbury Pediatric & Adolescent Dentistry and we can help you figure out where the issue originated. Remember, masking symptoms of bad breath with gum or mints will be only a temporary fix. Your child’s bad breath problems can be helped with a little investigation from Dr. Maryam Azadpur. Always feel free to call our Simsbury, CT office if you are concerned about your child’s oral health.

As more people turn to bottled water and away from the tap, they may be missing out on one important ingredient that most brands of bottled water fail to include: fluoride! Because fluoride helps strengthen teeth, it is an important component of maintaining good oral health. Our friends at the American Dental Association have endorsed both community water fluoridation and the use of fluoride-containing products as a safe means of preventing tooth decay.

In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also warned that “bottled water may not have a sufficient amount of fluoride, which is important for preventing tooth decay and promoting oral health.” If you are avoiding fluoridated tap water in favor of ever-more-popular bottled water, you could be missing out on the levels of fluoride necessary to make a difference in your oral health. One 2012 study in the Journal of Pediatric Dentistry found that more than 65 percent of parents using bottled water did not know what levels of fluoride it contained.

If bottled water happens to be your or your children’s beverage of choice, check the label to make sure your brand contains fluoride. Of course, simply drinking fluoridated water is not a magic ticket to perfect teeth. To keep your pearly whites in tip-top shape, it’s important to brush and floss daily and avoid sugary sweets, in addition to maintaining your fluoride intake.

Questions about fluoride? Give us a call at our convenient Simsbury, CT office! We look forward to hearing from you!

It's almost game day and you're wondering what to put on the menu for your guests. Most snacks are typically highly processed and unhealthy. Why not mix it up this year and opt for some snacks that promote good oral health? Here are some of Dr. Maryam Azadpur favorites!

• Apples, carrots, celery, and cucumbers: These foods and other crispy, fibrous, fruits and vegetables are an excellent choice for the big game. Not only are they rich in vitamins and minerals which your body and mouth need, they are also known as detergent foods because of the cleaning effect they have on the teeth and gums. Try apples wedges spread with peanut butter and sprinkled with cinnamon.
• Beans: Beans are filling because they are packed with fiber and that keeps you from opting for sugary or fatty snacks. Along with fruits and vegetables, beans should be one of the stars of your game-day snack lineup. How about some hearty chickpea hummus with cucumber chips?
• Nuts like almonds, walnuts, pistachios, and cashews: Nuts abound in the minerals that help keep your teeth and gums strong like calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Put out a bowl of raw or roasted nuts for your guests as a crunchy, satisfying alternative to chips or crackers. Recent research even shows that the polyunsaturated fatty acids in nuts may help prevent gum disease. But remember not to eat the whole bowl! Nuts are very high in calories and a little goes a long way. Enjoy and handful or two along with your other healthy snacks.
• Dark chocolate: This one may be hard to believe at first, but research shows chocolate can be great for your teeth and help prevent decay! Now don't run off and start stocking your pantry with a bunch of that super sweet stuff, because these benefits come mainly from the tannins, polyphenols, and flavonoids present in the cacao bean. Dark chocolate is the least processed variety of chocolate and the closest to the cacao bean, so make sure you purchase a variety that is listed as 70% cocoa or more for these benefits. Like with nuts, chocolate is easy to overdo — aim to eat two or three squares.