Brace Yourself: Braces-Friendly Recipe Ideas

It happened, your child got braces, and now their life is ruined -- their usual words, not ours, of course. 

When your child gets braces, they may feel as if their food choices are limited. And while yes, some snacks should be avoided you can rest assured that there are still plenty of braces-friendly options:

Breakfast Pancakes

A huge breakfast favorite and luckily kids with braces can still eat them! Change up the recipe for a more healthy alternative. TIP: Replace syrup with applesauce. Syrup is high in sodium, sugar, and carbohydrates -- yuck!

Smoothies

A great breakfast for brace-filled mouths on-the-go! Check out these delicious smoothie recipes and keep these tips in mind to keep your smoothie healthy.

Cold Pasta Salad

This can be prepared in a variety of ways with many different ingredients. Your child can enjoy this dish for lunch and/or dinner! Don’t forget: stay clear of hard vegetables that may hurt your child’s mouth. 

Acai Bowls

Acai bowls look good and taste even better! These delicious small berries are packed with antioxidants, amino acids, and essential fatty acids you didn’t know your child needed in their life! Be sure to try one of these recipes.

Lasagna

A delicious dinner dish for kids and they will love to make it with you too! Keep this dish on the light side with whole wheat noodles and lean ground beef.

Frozen Banana “Ice Cream”
This is a healthy alternative to actual ice cream -- dairy, fat, and sugar-free! 

Foods to AVOID:

• Hard nuts, candies, fruits (apples and pears)
• Hard vegetables (carrots and corn on the cob)
• Chips
• Pretzels
• Taco shells
• Pizza crust
• Sticky stuff like taffy, gum, or caramels
• Foods that are high in acidity that could cause discoloration (lemons, limes, or sodas)

For more braces-friendly recipes and orthodontic tips, check out our Pinterest page! 

Celebrate Fruits & Veggies - More Matters Month!

 

Having enough fruits and veggies in your diet is not only important for your oral health, but for your overall health as well. Unfortunately, many adults and children do not eat their recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables daily.

September is Fruits and Veggies - More Matters Month, a health initiative meant to raise awareness about proper nutrition and encourage families to make small changes to improve their diet. Here’s how you can add more fruits and veggies to your meals! 

1. Add more fruits and veggies to your family’s favorite dishes! Adding them to your favorite dishes helps make them a routine part of meals, not a side serving that can be pushed to a corner of the plate. Grab some fresh, frozen, or canned veggies and add them into a homemade soup, pasta dish, omelet, or stir fry!
2. Enhance your salads. Instead of just leafy greens, try adding some peas, corn, or canned beans into your family’s salads. Fruit is also a delicious addition. Try throwing in some sliced pineapple or oranges to bring a special sweetness to salads that are a hit with your child’s taste buds.
3. Finish your dinner with fresh cut fruit. Sliced strawberries make for an excellent, healthy desert! They’re great to consume on their own or on top of low-fat yogurt. Bonus - strawberries are a natural tooth whitener!

For additional tips to eating more fruits and vegetables, click here! 

If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s dental health, give any of our three locations a call. We specialize in caring for children’s teeth in a comfortable and caring environment. Call (516) 798-1111 or visit our website to schedule an appointment. Don't forget to LIKE us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter for updates and industry news.

Beach Friendly Snacks

 

Towels? Check. Sunscreen? Check. Hangry kids? Let’s hope not! There's nothing like a family outing to the beach, but you’ll want to be prepared when hunger strikes. Here are some of our favorite healthy (and tooth-friendly) snacks to have on hand:

• Peanut butter banana roll ups are a perfect way for your kids to get the protein they need! Bananas are also loaded with potassium as well as vitamins B6 and C. Try using a wrap instead of bread to make bite sized pieces perfect for the kids.
• Fruit popsicles are a great refreshment for you and your children on your beach days. Use a standard cupcake liner around the base of the popsicle stick to keep your kids hands and bathing suits clean! Try this watermelon recipe for your next beach popsicles!
• Fruit on a stick! Digging through a bag of fruit at the beach is a recipe for disaster. Make fruit kabobs for a sweet mess-free snack. TIP: The best fruit choices for the beach are watermelon, blue or purple berries, mango and apricot because of their phytochemicals that can help protect your skin from harm UV rays!
• Raw vegetables are a perfect snack for the beach. Individually bag a mixture of different veggies such as baby carrots, celery sticks, or zucchini, for each child.  All these vegetables are not only great for teeth but work to keep you hydrated as well! TIP: Add hummus or peanut butter to give the vegetables a little kick!
• Trail mix! Toss together unsalted nuts, seeds, and dried fruit to customize your own trail mix. Avoid adding chocolate, it will melt easily and become messy! TIP: To avoid the kids wasting the food when it drops in the sand, use mason jar containers to dispense the trail mix more easily!

For more tips on how to keep teeth healthy - give us a call! At Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental our purpose is to provide exceptional mental and dental care that can impact your child’s life forever. Our practice has been providing excellent pediatric dentistry to children of Long Island for over 14 years. We have three locations: Nesconset, Massapequa Park, and West Islip.

Tips for a Tooth Friendly Memorial Day

May is National Barbecue Month and we certainly have some BBQ weather on the forecast for this weekend! We can’t think of a better way to kickoff the summer season and celebrate Memorial Day than with a cookout with family and friends.

Here are some of our tips for having a tooth friendly Memorial Day!

• Go Green - Instead of a plethora of pasta or potato salads, offer up some greens! Be sure to set aside some traditional leafy salads or even try a corn or bean salad to spice things up. Your teeth will thank you!
• Grill Veggies - Veggies on the BBQ are not only delicious, but are great for oral health. Put together some skewers of bell peppers, zucchini, cauliflower, and mushroom and enjoy!
• Offer Meat Alternatives - While hamburgers and hotdogs are a Memorial Day Weekend staple, seafood provides a host of vitamins and minerals that are great for teeth. Perhaps some salmon, trout, or shrimp can be added to the menu this weekend!
• Make Your Own Chips - Potato chips are often greasy and fried in oil with added preservatives. So for a healthier alternative, consider making your own chips for this weekend’s celebration! Check out this baked sweet potato chips recipe here.
• Healthy Desserts - No cookout is complete without some dessert. But instead of a slice of pie or cake - serve some fruit parfaits to satisfy that sweet tooth craving without all the extra sugar or additives.

From all of us here at Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental, we hope you have a safe and enjoyable tooth-friendly Memorial Day weekend!

If you have any questions about how to improve your child's oral health please give our offices a call. We specialize in caring for children’s teeth in a comfortable and caring environment. Call (516) 798-1111 or visit our website to schedule an appointment.

Green Treats for St. Patrick’s Day!

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Happy St. Patrick’s Day everyone! Irish or not, there are plenty of ways you can get into the spirit today - including eating some healthy and festive green treats. Check out our roundup below for some after school / pre dinner snacks:

Pineapple-Mango Green-a Colada Smoothie: Place 2 cups of fresh or frozen pineapple chunks and 1 to 2 cups fresh or frozen mango chunks into a blender, puree until smooth. Then add a few handfuls of fresh baby spinach, some ice, a cup or so of light coconut milk, and honey if desired. Blend until smooth and serve immediately! 

St. Patrick’s Day Healthy Fruit Skewers: As easy as it comes, grab all your child’s favorite green fruits, some wooden skewers, and green ribbon and you’ll be good to go! Full tutorial here »

Avocado Mac and Cheese: Great for busy weeknights! This recipe is super easy to make and you don’t even have to turn on the oven. All you need to do is boil your favorite pasta and get your food processor or blender ready. Full recipe here » 

Green Child and Tomatillo Corn Bread: Turn your corn bread green with chiles, tomatillos, and cilantro! To make this Tex-Mex concoction, check out the recipe over on the Tasting Table» 

Green Tea Lemonade: Healthy, tasty, and a little sweet - this refreshing beverage is sure to be a hit. You’ll need some sugar, lemons, and green tea to get this going. Full recipe here »

If you have any questions about how to improve your child's oral health please give our offices a call. We specialize in caring for children’s teeth in a comfortable and caring environment. Call (516) 798-1111 or visit our website to schedule an appointment. Don't forget to LIKE us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter for updates and industry news.
 

Celebrate National Nutrition Month

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It’s National Nutrition Month! We know it's not always easy to get kids to eat healthy, but sticking to a nutritional, well-balanced diet is essential for tooth-health! Make sure to incorporate the below foods this month, and always:

High fibrous foods: Fruits, vegetables, and grains help to scrub teeth and stimulates saliva, your mouth’s first defense in fighting mouth monsters. Saliva helps neutralize any acids that may attack tooth enamel. 

Building Blocks: Make sure to serve up plenty of foods that are rich in essential vitamins and minerals like vitamins A, C, D, and calcium and phosphorous. These nutrients help to protect and rebuild tooth enamel and can be found in beef, eggs, whole grains, poultry, fish, tofu, and many nuts! 

Dairy: Dairy products like milk and yogurt are known to provide the calcium and phosphate needed to help strengthen teeth. Cheese is also a great source of calcium and helps to stimulate saliva as well! Do keep in mind though, that the lactose in milk can attack teeth if left lingering in the mouth. That’s why it’s best to put baby to bed with a bottle of water.

Water: Absolutely the most tooth-friendly beverage, water will rinse away food particles and sugars left behind in the mouth. Fluoridated water in particular, has the most benefit for tiny teeth! 

If you have any questions about how to improve your child's oral health please give our offices a call. We specialize in caring for children’s teeth in a comfortable and caring environment. Call (516) 798-1111 or visit our website to schedule an appointment. Don't forget to LIKE us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter for updates and industry news.

Apple Picking on Long Island 2015

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Fall is in the air and what better way to celebrate than with some autumn activities! Long Island’s East End is full of orchards and farms providing enough entertainment for the whole family. Take some time this weekend and check out some of the below hot spots for apple picking on LI:

Harbes Family Farm and Orchard - 5698 Sound Ave, Riverhead NY
With four locations, Harbes Orchard in Riverhead is the only one with a 15 acre apple orchard. Grab a ride on the Apple Express and pick your way till your heart’s content. They also offer a delicious assortment of lunch items and sweet snacks!

Lewin Farms - 812 Sound Avenue, Calverton
With a wide variety of pick your own fruits and vegetables, Lewin Farms' 1,100 acre farm is unmatched. Enjoy picking your favorite crops before getting lost in the 5-acre corn maze! Each year the farm produces a new design which is never quite the same as the last. But don’t worry, it’s challenging but certainly doable for any age group.

Milk Pail Farm and Orchard - 50 Horsemill Lane, Water Mill
Spend a day in the Hamptons picking your own apples and pumpkins at Milk Pail Farm and Orchard! Choose from twenty apple varities on dwarf apple trees - so even the tiniest of hands have something to grab!

Hank’s Pumpkintown - 240 Montauk Hwy, Water Mill
Gem mines, corn mazes, and apples - oh my! Family owned and operated Hank’s Pumpkintown has it all! Spend a weekend with the kids picking your favorite apples, getting your faces painted, and eating some fresh picked corn roasted to perfection.

Apple picking is not only great for celebrating the change of season - but eating apples aid in good oral health too! Biting and chewing an apple helps to stimulate the production of saliva, which in turn can reduce tooth decay by lowering bacteria in the mouth! 

Enjoy apple picking this weekend - and remember if you have any questions about how to improve your child’s oral health, give us a call! We specialize in caring for children’s teeth in a comfortable and caring environment. Call (516) 798-1111 or visit our website to schedule an appointment.

What Foods to Avoid When Wearing Braces

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When kids or teens first get traditional braces, they may not realize how quickly their diet has to change. As strong and sturdy as these orthodontic appliances are, they still need to be treated with care. That means eating foods that are brace safe, and steering clear of ones that can cause trouble!

During orthodontic treatment, help your child avoid:

• Sticky Foods - Like gum, chewy candies, etc as they can easily get stuck in brackets and wires - not only causing a mess but tooth decay if not properly removed!
• Hard Foods - Such as nuts, hard rolls, hard candies, etc as they can break or harm the wires and brackets.
• Food on Bones - For instance ribs or chicken wings because these too can damage or knock off wires and brackets.

But don’t get discouraged! There are plenty of foods out there your child CAN eat!

• Fruits and Vegetables - Mashed potatoes, spinach, bananas, etc are all soft and easy to chew. For the harder fruits and veggies (like carrots or apples) just be sure to cut them into smaller pieces instead of biting directly into them.
• Treats - Ice cream, shakes, and smoothies are also great options! The coldness actually helps soothe the soreness caused by the braces as well as reduce any swelling of soft tissue!
• Meats and Poultry - Items like soft-cooked chicken and deli meat are soft enough to not cause problems when your child bites into them.
• Gains - Noodles, pasta, soft-cooked rice, etc are all gentle on the mouth which is key for sensitive teeth.

If you're seeking orthodontic treatment for your child, consult with one of our orthodontists here at Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental & Orthodontics. Let us help you identify and reduce problems early on to make sure your child’s orthodontic experience is easier in the long run. Call (516) 798-1111 or visit our website to schedule an appointment.

Mouth Healthy Foods for Your End of Summer BBQ

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Having a barbecue this Labor Day weekend to close out the summer? Make sure you add these mouth healthy foods to your soirée: 

Choose your crunch wisely. Chips may be standard, but they aren’t the most mouth healthy treat for your teeth. Instead, keep your serving dish full of apples, pears, and veggies like carrots, celery, and raw broccoli. These snacks work like natural toothbrushes, stimulating saliva and scrubbing off any build-up.

Crush, don’t cube. Chewing on ice cubes may seem refreshing, but ice is no friend to your teeth. Chewing on cubes can leave your teeth vulnerable to a dental emergency (think chipped teeth) and can even damage enamel. Instead of adding ice to drinks, keep all your beverages chilled in a cooler of ice. If you do need ice, use crushed instead.

Say cheese! Dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese are low in sugar and rich in calcium and phosphorous, which aids in strengthening and protecting enamel. Plus, studies have shown that eating more dairy may lower your risk of gum disease. Set out a cheese plate or add a slice to your burgers!

Serve infused water. Sugary beverages, like soda and sports drinks, cause dry mouth and eat away at your teeth. Offer water instead, with a twist! Infuse your water with whatever fruit you’d like - just go easy on citrus fruits as the acid in lemons and limes can be harsh on teeth.

If you have any questions about how to improve your child's oral health please give our offices a call. We specialize in caring for children’s teeth in a comfortable and caring environment. Call (516) 798-1111 or visit our website to schedule an appointment.

Celebrate National Cheese Day

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Want a better smile? Say cheese! It’s true, eating cheese can help prevent tooth decay.

In a study published in the journal General Dentistry, children given cheese to eat over milk or sugar-free yogurt had rapid pH increases in the mouth, which is better for tooth decay-free teeth! The casein protein found in cheese helps to fortify the tooth’s surface and protect against cavities. It’s low in sugar and acid, and high in calcium.

So in honor of today being National Cheese Day, we wanted to share some of our favorite cheesy recipes for your kids:

Photo via Flickr / m01229

Mini Pizzas - All you need are some whole wheat english muffins, pizza sauce, cheese and desired toppings - voila, mini pizzas! View the recipe here »

Mac & Cheese - Make your own stovetop macaroni and cheese using whole-wheat macaroni and reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese. View the recipe here »

Cheese Quesadilla - Opt for a whole-wheat tortilla for a boost in fiber and select your child’s favorite cheese. Feel free to add in their favorite items like chopped tomatoes, bell peppers, or chicken breast for a nutrient packed meal. View the recipe here »

Grown-Up Grilled Cheese - A new take on a familiar favorite. Combine a classic grilled cheese with a BLT for a luscious veggie-packed sandwich that both adults and kids will enjoy. View the recipe here »

 

Do you have any cheese inspired recipes? Be sure to share with the Adelberg community on our Facebook page!

If you have any questions about how to improve your child's oral health please give our offices a call. We specialize in caring for children’s teeth in a comfortable and caring environment. Call (516) 798-1111 or visit our website to schedule an appointment.

Smile Friendly Foods for Your Summer BBQ

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May is National Barbecue Month - an unofficial holiday but still an exciting way to start the summer. In the spirit of dental health, we wanted to share some of the best and worst foods you should have at your next outdoor feast (like this Memorial Day Weekend perhaps!):

What to serve -

• Fish: Fish is rich with omega-3 fatty acids which is not only great for fighting gum disease but also helps calm any inflammation surrounding irritated gums. Try grilling some salmon or trout soon!
• Veggie Skewers: Nothing beats grilled veggie skewers, especially knowing they are an important part of a balanced diet and have been noted for decreasing tooth decay! Add some bell peppers, zucchini, cauliflower, and mushroom skewers to your next party menu.
• Fruit: For a healthy, summer twist on dessert - throw some fruits on a skewer and grill them as well! As many fruits are good sources for vitamin C - they work to kill bacteria in the mouth.

What not to serve -

• Chips and canned dip: Canned dips are full of unhealthy preservatives, additives, and sugars. While any major brand of potato chip is fried in oil with added preservatives. If chips are a must have, look into purchasing an all natural/whole grain brand.
• BBQ sauce - Super sugary and sticky, eating foods covered in BBQ isn’t the most smile friendly.
• Baked beans - While these may seem healthy, there’s actually a lot of sodium, sugar, and other unhealthy additives. 

If you have any questions about how to improve your child's oral health please give our offices a call. We specialize in caring for children’s teeth in a comfortable and caring environment. Call (516) 798-1111 or visit our website to schedule an appointment.

 

#WellnessWednesday - National Nutrition Month

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Preparing healthy foods for a large family can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to break the bank. Help your family bite into a healthy lifestyle during National Nutrition Month! Save time, money and stress by following the below tips from ChooseMyPlate: 

Keep it simple: Don't worry about making things complicated. Healthy and creative meals can be simple - saving you money and stress.

Enlist little helpers: Divide jobs among family remembers - remember kids love being in the kitchen! With their help you can get more done and have more time to enjoy with your family.

Enjoy yourself - Feel yourself becoming stressed? Take a step back and remember to have fun and enjoy the company of those closest to you.

Holiday options - Consider your menu options around the holidays (Passover and Easter are around the corner after all). Choosing to serve brunch can save on food costs as eggs are less expensive and make a great protein for the main dish. For another fun idea opt to offer a yogurt parfait bar where everyone cam add their desired toppings to their yogurt.

Make it a potluck - Great option for large family gatherings - prepare a side dish and ask each family member to make the rest! Now there's less work on you and everyone can enjoy trying each other's creations.

Just as a balanced diet is good for our waistline - it's just as necessary for a healthy smile. We encourage you to also work some of these smile friendly options into family meals as well!

If you have any questions about how to improve your child's oral health please give our offices a call. We specialize in caring for children’s teeth in a comfortable and caring environment. Call (516) 798-1111 or visit our website to schedule an appointment. Don't forget to LIKE us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter for updates and industry news.

#WellnessWednesday - Packing Healthy Lunches

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Food plays an important role in balancing mood and concentration. Not to mention, the right foods can have positive effects on your dental health! With the school year gearing up, now's the time to get into the groove of packing teeth friendly lunches that also give your child a boost for improved learning.

Packing a healthy lunch for your kids doesn’t have to be complicated, expensive, or time consuming. Here are some ideas to make it easy:

• Pretzel Kabobs - Take some ham, turkey, and cheese and roll them up together - then skewer them with pretzel sticks. The casein protein found in cheese (or other milk products) helps to fortify the tooth’s surface and protect against cavities. It’s low in sugar and acid, and high in calcium!
• DIY Pizza Lunchables - Use a whole-wheat sandwich thin, turkey pepperoni, pizza sauce, and shredded low fat cheese. If bread products have to be included in the meal, stick to whole grains. While they can still stick to your teeth, bacteria doesn't grow as quickly when you choose foods made with whole grains instead of foods made with refined grains and added sugar (like white bread).
• Power Pita - Take 2 mini whole wheat pita pockets and stuff them with grilled chicken strips, leafy greens, and other veggies. Bell peppers are a great source of vitamin C - a nutrient that builds collagen which helps for strong gums. Vitamin A, found in leafy greens and carrots helps to protect tooth enamel!

Encouraging healthy eating habits now can go a long way!

Have any other tooth-friendly treats your kids love? Head to our Facebook page and share your ideas! And don't forget to take your kid's selfie for our #SelfieOfSummer contest!!

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dentistry has three Long Island locations. We specialize in caring for children’s teeth in a comfortable and caring environment. Call (516) 798-1111 or visit our website to schedule an appointment.

Smile Saving Snacks

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We have a nice weekend ahead of us! Whether you are planning a trip to the beach, have your child’s sport game to attend, or are staying home for a play date, make sure your kids’ bellies are well prepared. Select some filling, healthy snacks that also help their oral health! These smile saver foods actually strengthen kids’ teeth:

Oranges, kiwis, strawberries, limes, peppers - The vitamin C found in these foods help kill bacteria that can be found in your child’s mouth. But, be sure they wait at least 30 minutes before brushing after consuming any citrus foods or drinks as the citric acid can temporarily weaken tooth enamel and leave teeth vulnerable to erosion caused by brushing.

Milk, yogurt, and cheese - These foods are rich in calcium, vitamin D, and phosphate - which raise the pH level in the mouth, lowers acid levels, and reduces the risk of tooth decay. Calcium also helps to repair damaged enamel, strengthen bones around your child’s teeth, and makes them more resistant to gum disease later in life!

Raw carrots, celery, cauliflower, green beans, and snap peas - These foods naturally scrape away plaque that can build up between meals or that may be missed when brushing. Have your child eat these crisp veggies slowly and to completely chew each serving to get the full benefit!

Sesame, sunflower, and pumpkin seeds, and nuts - Oils in the seeds help to strengthen enamel, making them more resistant to cavities. As an added bonus, most seeds also contain calcium! Children over 4 can eat these seeds and nuts as a healthy snack!

Have any other tooth-friendly treats your kids love? Head to our Facebook page and share your ideas! And don't forget to take your kid's selfie for our #SelfieOfSummer contest!!

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dentistry has three Long Island locations. We specialize in caring for children’s teeth in a comfortable and caring environment. Call (516) 798-1111 or visit our website to schedule an appointment.

photo credit: sAM_68 via photopin cc

Bedtime Snacks for Kids

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Adults aren’t the only ones who can suffer from late night food cravings, children can as well. Many active kids may actually need the snack to hold them over night, especially during growth spurts. While it's not the best idea to eat a large meal at this time, there are some snacks that can help fill your child’s stomach and not be detrimental to their oral health.   

The snack should remain small, just to tide them over and help them get to sleep. Sugary foods should be avoided as they are especially damaging when given the chance to rest against the teeth enamel over night. Instead opt for some of the below foods to help with sleep, decrease cavities, and provide your child with more energy in the morning:

• Bananas
• Whole grain crackers
• Unsalted almonds
• Low fat cottage cheese
• Low sugar cereal with fat free milk

It’s important to plan the bedtime snacks 30-45 minutes prior to bedtime. By waiting, you give the tooth enamel time to strengthen back up before brushing. And it's also important to keep in mind, only give your child a snack if they are hungry, not out of habit.

What are your go-to snacks for your child before bed? Share with us on our Facebook page!