Tips for Getting Toddlers to Eat Tooth Friendly Foods

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Have a picky eater on your hands? You’re not alone. Unfortunately, toddlers often aren’t immediately drawn to snacks that aid in oral health.

If you’re struggling to get your child to try some tooth friendly foods, give some of the below tips a try- courtesy of Colgate»

• Don’t take no for an answer. Often times, toddlers will reject new food when it is first offered. Instead of giving up, introduce healthy foods in a variety of ways to see if your fussy eater will approve. For example, some toddlers prefer raw veggies to cooked, or frozen options to canned.
• Watch the seasonings. Not everyone likes certain spices and what you like may not be your child’s preference. Introduce new foods both plain and seasoned to see what your little one enjoys most. You may find you’ll have to cook things plain only to allow each family member to season as desired.
• Supervise difficult foods. While we know crunchy vegetables and fruits are good for tiny teeth, you’ll want to make sure your toddler can handle them. Supervise them with any tough foods to prevent choking accidents and don’t be afraid to hold off on some snacks until more teeth are in place.
• Don’t forget the milk. Studies have shown that when milk is consumed alongside cavity-causing foods (sweets), it can actually help prevent bacteria from attacking teeth. Do still stick with water at bed time however as milk, formula, and juice can actually cause damage if left lingering on teeth.

These tips plus scheduled dental visits can help pave the way to a lifetime of healthy smiles. If you’re looking to schedule your child’s next dental visit, give us a call! We have offices in Nesconset, Massapequa Park, and West Islip and are always available to talk with you and address any concerns.

Smart Snacking Tips and Tricks for National Nutrition Month

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We know that it’s not always easy to keep your kids from snacking on candy, chips and ice cream.  However, we are encouraging parents to help their kids snack smart this March in honor of National Nutrition Month!  A balanced diet full of nutritious foods can help keep your child’s smile healthy and beautiful.

Here are a few tips to help make healthy snacking a little easier:

• Set An Example – Kids mimic what you do.  Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables instead of sugary snacks.  Remember to set good brushing and flossing example too.
• Be Creative – Healthy snacks can be fun too.  Try a fruit smoothie or a yogurt sprinkled with granola and bananas.
• Shop Together – Ask your kids what kind of snacks they would like from the supermarket. Help them read the nutrition facts label and learn how to check the sugar content. 
• Eat Well-Balanced Meals – Healthy meals are just as important as healthy snacks.  Make sure that your kids have well-balanced lunches and dinners.

Kids don’t have to give up on dessert, but make sure that most of the food they eat is healthy and nutritious.  Try to limit sweets to once a day, rather than snacking on them throughout the day.  Choose fresh fruits, raw veggies, grains, nuts, seeds, meats, and dairy snacks that are low in sugar instead. 

Read more about smart snacks for healthy smiles by clicking here.  We also invite you to contact our office for more information or to schedule your bi-annual cleaning and exam.

 

One of The Worst Foods For Your Teeth: Crackers

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental and Orthodontics

www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

Wait, what? This may come as a shock to some people, considering saltine crackers are everywhere and often given to toddlers as a snack, but crackers and other starchy foods are actually the most cavity-causing.

Usually when thinking about foods that are the most harmful to teeth, we atomatically assume sweet and sugary things like soda and candy. Truth is, even though crackers don't taste sweet - the starches in crackers and chips are broken down into sugar by enzymes in the mouth.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry has stated that starchy foods may even be worse for your teeth than candy because of the length of time they stay on teeth long after snacking has ended. So instead of giving your little one a saltine to snack on, opt for healthier grains like whole-grain crackers or another healthy alternative like fruits or veggies to provide that satisfying crunch.