How to Celebrate a Tooth-Friendly Valentine's Day

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove

Garden City:516-222-5100

Glen Cove: 516-759-7000

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

Valentine's Day isn't just about sweets and treats - it's about showing your friends and family how much you care!

Are your kids handing out valentine's to their friends and classmates this year?  Here are a few ways to celebrate Valentine's Day without the sweets.

• Send some tooth-friendly Valentine's.  The American Dental Association has free Valentine's Day cards that you can print and share with special people in your life.  You can download them here.
• Skip the chocolates this year and try these healthy Valentine's Day snack alternatives instead!
• Hand out sugar-free gum. Kids are always looking for gum in class - hand out sugar-free gum that's good for your teeth, too!
• Gift some plastic jewelry.  There are so many cute Valentine's Day themed plastic jewelry.  They're cute and inexpensive if you plan on handing them out to the whole class.
• Throw a healthy Valentine's Day party!  Since the holiday falls on a weekend this year, try following these tips for a healthy kids party.

Is it time to schedule your child's biannual cleaning & exam?  You can schedule an appointment by calling 516-222-5100 to reach our Garden City office or 516-759-7000 to reach our Glen Cove office.  

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How to Throw a Healthy Valentine's Day Party

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove

Garden City:516-222-5100

Glen Cove: 516-759-7000

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

Are you throwing a Valentine's Day party for your kids?  While Valentine's Day is notorious for sugary sweets like candy hearts and chocolate, here are a few healthy snack ideas that are a festive and great for kids.

Healthy Valentine's Day Snacks:

• Fruit Salad - Do you kids have a favorite fruit?  A Valentine's Day themed fruit salad with strawberries, bananas, grapes, and other fun fruits can the perfect healthy snack.
• Strawberry Milk - Milk is full of vitamins that are good for teeth.  While strawberry milk can be on the sugary side, the coloring is perfect for Valentine's Day - as long as you remember to brush after!
• Vegetable Kebabs - Make kabobs using cherry tomatoes and mozzarella cubes.  When pairs with cheese (which is good for your teeth), kids are more likely to eat their vegetables.

Check out this article for more tips on how to throw the perfect, healthy Valentine's Day party this year.  You can also contact our office if you have any questions about your child's oral health.  Call 516-222-5100 to contact our Garden City office or 516-759-7000 to contact our Glen Cove office. Don’t forget to like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and check out our YouTube channel!

Eating Well: Healthy Valentine's Day Snacks for Kids

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove

Garden City:516-222-5100

Glen Cove: 516-759-7000

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

Valentine's Day doesn't have to be a holiday full of chocolates and sugary treats.  There are plenty of healthy Valentine's Day snack ideas that are great for kids.  

Valentine's Day Snacks:

• Heart Shaped Grapes - Cut grapes at an angle and match up the sides so that a heart is made.  Use a toothpick to hold the two halves together!
• Veggie and Fruit Tray - Use heart shaped cookie cutters to create a Valentine's Day veggie and fruit tray.  Cut cucumbers, melons and more!
• Heart-Shaped Sandwiches - Put your cookie cutters to use again with heart shaped tea sandwiches.  Yopu can cut shapes into cheese, meet, and breads of your choice.  Cheese is great for your teeth too!
• Healthy Pancakes - Starchy foods can be troublesome for teeth.  However, this heart shaped, whole wheat pancake recipe can be healthy as long as you remember to brush afterwards. Check out the recipe here: http://goo.gl/10kYKy

Check out this article for more healthy Valentine's Day snack ideas.  Don't forget to brush and floss after!  

If you have any questions about your child's oral health, call 516-222-5100 to contact our Garden City office or 516-759-7000 to contact our Glen Cove office. Don’t forget to like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and check out our YouTube channel!

Is All Chocolate Created Equal?

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove

Garden City:516-222-5100

Glen Cove: 516-759-7000

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

Photo Source: Flickr / stevendepolo

When we think of a good oral health routine, rarely does "eat chocolate" come to mind. Up until recently, chocolate was on the do-not-eat list, along with the rest of the candy food group. When sugar comes in contact with the bacteria in the mouth, the sugar gets turned into acids. These acids eat away at teeth enamel and cause cavities. But did you know that not all chocolate is created equally? 

Recent studies have found that dark chocolate actually has an anti-bacterial effect which offsets the high sugar level. As a result, dark chocolate fights against plaque. Research shows that cocoa extract is even more effective at fighting cavities than fluoride. 

Furthermore, the compound CBH, a powder similar to caffeine, has been proven to help harden tooth enamel and prevent teeth from decaying. While this product is not yet available for human use, a person can administer the compound by eating chocolate! That's right, dark chocolate can provide the same effects! 

Everything in moderation, of course, but we'll be sure to enjoy our Valentine's Day candy a little more guilt free this year!

For more information on the positive effects chocolate has on our teeth, CLICK HERE. Don't forget to schedule routine check-ups to assure your child's teeth are healthy and prevent damage from occurring. 

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Happy Valentine's Day from Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City!

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City

585 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530

516-222-5100

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

Happy Valentine’s Day from Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City! We hope you have a great day celebrating with your loved ones!  

Photo Source: Open Clipart