Happiness is Your Child’s Smile

In The Know For You To Know

As a parent you work hard to make sure your children have healthy balanced meals every meal and every day. Did you know that those meals are also one of the first steps in great oral health?

Now is a good time to help your children learn how good brushing, flossing, and eating habits are essential for healthy teeth.

Fruits and Veggies

Apples, pears, carrots and celery have the natural sweet and crunchies children love. Keep these treats on hand for a quick healthy snack and meal side dish.

Suggestions –

• Crunchy fruits and veggies with yogurt dip
• Avocado dip with crunchy veggies
• Hummus with crunchy veggies
• Celery with Nut Butter

Cheese And Yogurt – Get in those Probiotics

Cheese is one of the healthiest snacks for teeth. When deciding on yogurt look for “no sugar added” and nix the add-ins.

They provide calcium and phosphorous which strengthens tooth enamel and can disrupt the development of cavities.

Suggestions –

• Frozen yogurt popsicles (tasty, fun and easy to make at home with your children),
• Fresh fruit with cheddar cheese or Greek Yogurt,
• Smoothie with frozen fruit and milk (tasty, fun and easy to make homemade).

Getting in those Leafy Greens

Leafy greens like spinach, kale, broccoli, and broccolini provide fluoride, vitamins and minerals to strengthen tooth enamel and increase saliva production. Talk about a super food!

Suggestions –

• Cooking together makes everything taste extra yummy!
• Add fresh or sauteed spinach, kale, broccoli, broccolini, or bok choy to your favorite Mac and Cheese
• Green smoothies are GREAT! Add spinach, kale, or avocado to your favorite fruit smoothie.

Seeds and Nuts

Almonds, cashews, walnuts, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds are great tasting, crunchy, and fun to eat. They are high in minerals, high in good fats, and low in sugar. Remember to pass on the added sugar and salt coated varieties.

Suggestions –

• Nut Butters on their own are great for snacking, or scoop some into celery sticks,
• Add a spoon of your favorite nut butter into your smoothie of the day,
• Enjoy a palm full for a healthy and crunchy snack,
• Add some to a your cheese and fruit plate,
• Add some to your homemade trail mix (watch the amount of candies and dried fruits because of the added sugars and stickiness in teeth).

Staying Hydrated

Flavored milks, juice, soda, caffeinated drinks, and low calorie sweetened beverages can be big sources of added sugars in children’s diets and do not provide any nutritional value.

When you serve juice, serve it as a special treat. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than 4 ounces and have your child drink all of it with their meal. This way the sugar gets diluted with their healthy meal. A splash of juice and a lot of water go a long way to making up those 4 ounces.

Remember, plain milk and water are your go to beverages. Keep water easily on hand to stay refreshed.

Floss and Brush

Brush twice a day with a soft tooth brush and fluoridated toothpaste. Brush for 2 Minutes after breakfast and before bed, and Floss before you brush their teeth every night.

More tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!