Naughty or Nice? How to Care for Your Teeth Through the Holidays

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove

Garden City:516-222-5100

Glen Cove: 516-759-7000

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

Have you been naughty or nice to your teeth this year?  We know that holiday sweets can make tooth care difficult. Here are a few tips to help you improve your smile care through the holiday season.

Holiday Tooth Care Tips:

• Stick With a Routine - Although things get busy during the holidays, it's important to stick to a routine.  Brush your teeth for two minutes, two times a day - and don't forget to floss!
• Schedule a Cleaning - As we approach the end of the year, it's time to schedule your last cleaning!  Kids should have bi-annual cleanings and exams.
• Drink Plenty of Water - Wash down all of those holiday treats and sweets with plenty of water!  Water is key to keeping your teeth strong and healthy.
• Wear a Mouthguard - Do your kids plenty winter sports?  Be sure to wear a mouthguard!  Mouthguards help protect tiny teeth whether they're playing with their friends or on a school team.
• Avoid Candy - Avoid snacking on candy all day long.  Instead, enjoy a single serving of a candy cane or other holiday treat - and brush after.  This will expose tiny teeth to less sugar than constantly snacking throughout the day.  Choose healthier snacks when possible, like carrots!

If you have any questions about your child’s teeth through the holidays, give one of our offices a call!  You can call 516-222-5100 to schedule your appointment at our Garden City office or 516-759-7000 to schedule your appointment at our Glen Cove office.  

Don’t forget to like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and check out our YouTube channel!

Winter Safety Tips for Your Kids

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove

Garden City:516-222-5100

Glen Cove: 516-759-7000

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

Heading outside with your kids today?  Stay warm!  Here are a few tips to help you and your kids stay safe and healthy through the winter.

Winter Safety Tips:

• Wash Your Hands - One of the best ways to stay healthy in the winter is by making sure your whole family is washing their hands.  Sharing toys, coughing, and blowing a runny nose can transmit the cold and flu.  
• Dress Warmly - Dress warmly when spending time outside in the winter.  Don't forget to wear several layers on days like today!  Warm boots, gloves and a hat will help keep kids warm and protected from serious cold weather hazards like hypothermia and frostbite.
• Supervise Ice Skating - Always skate in an area that is approved for skating.  Consider having kids wear a knee and elbow pads, especially when learning to skate for the first time!
• Wear a Mouth Guard - Protective mouth guards are essential for kids wearing contact sports where a fall or collision could occur.  If your child plays winter sports, make sure they have a comfortable mouth guard for safety.

For more winter safety tips, read this article from the American Academy of Pediatrics.  You can also contact our office if you have any questions about how to protect your child's teeth this winter.

If you want to schedule an appointment, give us a call!  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!

Smart Cereal Choices

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove

Garden City:516-222-5100

Glen Cove: 516-759-7000

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

Photo Source: pixabay

Did you have breakfast today?  You shouldn’t skip the most important meal of the day!  When paired with milk, cereals can be an important source of nutrients in a child’s diet.

Cereal Shopping Tips:

• Packaging – Cereal packaging can be deceiving. Look beyond the colorful, eye-catching boxes and take a look at the nutrition label.  While cartoon characters are appealing to children, they are not necessarily the healthiest option.
• Fiber – Children should have cereals with a fiber content of 2-5 grams per serving.
• Sugar – Studies have shown that kids are happy with eating cereal whether it is high or low in sugar.  Look for cereals that contain no more than 10-12 grams of sugar.
• Natural Sweeteners – Consider sweetening sugar naturally by adding fresh fruit to your breakfast.
• Whole Grains – Whenever you have the choice, you should always pick whole grains.  They are healthier for you and your kids!

For more tips on how to have a healthy breakfast, check out this article from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Contact Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove for more smile care tips!  Call 516-222-5100 to contact our Garden City office or 516-759-7000 to contact our Glen Cove office. 

Food Substitutions for Picky Eaters

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove

Garden City:516-222-5100

Glen Cove: 516-759-7000

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

© istockphoto/matka_Wariatka

Is your child a notoriously picky eater?  Many parents know that it isn’t always easy to get kids to eat healthy.  However, a healthy diet is one of the best ways to keep your smile cavity-free!  Here are a few tips and substitutions for kids who avoid healthy foods.

Food Substitutions For..

• Fruit –
• Fresh fruit - If your child won’t eat fresh fruits, try dried fruits such as apricots, pears, raisins, cherries, mangos, pineapples and bananas. 
• Whole fruit – If whole fruit is the problem, you can make pureed sauces for yogurt with fresh or frozen fruit.  Then, slowly introduce whole fruit into the mix.
• Citrus – Does your child dislike citrus fruits?  Strawberries, cantaloupe, broccoli, watermelon, and even potatoes are great sources of vitamin C.
• Alternatives - You can also try mixing fruits such as blueberries, chopped apples, and bananas in muffin, quick bread, and waffle batters.
• Vegetables –
• Green Leafy Vegetables - It’s common for kids to avoid green leafy vegetables.  Try dark-yellow and orange vegetables instead.  Carrots, squash and sweet potatoes are a good source of vitamin A. 
• Cooked Vegetables - Try raw vegetable sticks and salads.  You can also offer vegetable juice instead of fruit juice.
• Dairy – If your child doesn’t like cheese, yogurt, and other dairy foods, consider soy and rice-based substitutes.  You can also ask your pediatrician about taking vitamin B12 and D supplements.
• Whole-Grain Breads – Try high-fiber white bread, whole wheat crackers or whole wheat pasta.

For more food substitutions and tips for healthy kids and healthy teeth, read this article from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Contact Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove for more smile care tips!  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!

Sesame Street's "Healthy Teeth, Healthy Me" Oral Health Initative

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City

585 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530

516-222-5100

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

Sesame Street has recently partnered with Sam’s Giving Made Simple and MetLife Foundation to launch a oral health initiative for children! 

 

The initiative is called “Healthy Teeth, Healthy Me” and is sought out to help parents educate their children on how important it is to start brushing your teeth and taking care of your teeth from a young age.The bilingual, multimedia outreach initiative is aimed to motivate children ages 2 to 5 and to remind parents and caregivers how important their children’s oral health is.  

To learn more information on the initiative, visit Sesame Street's question and answer page on the importance of oral care among young children, linked here.

NYC's Anti-Sugar Drinks PSA "Pouring on the Pounds"...

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City

585 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530

516-222-5100 

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

Are you or your children "pouring on the pounds"? Soda and fruit juices have hidden calories and negative effects for your overall well-being.

Soft drinks have been linked to lower calcium levels and high phosphate levels in the blood. Furthermore, soft drink consumption in children poses a significant risk factor for impair calcification of growing bones (Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine), not to mention all the cavities they're responsible for!

Check out this video Pouring on the Pounds - Man Walking Off Soda - NYC Health Anti-Sugar Drinks. 

What do you think? Tell us on the Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City Facebook Wall, linked HERE.