Tips for Celebrating National Nutrition Month

Image courtesy of Eatright.org

It’s time to put your best fork forward in honor of National Nutrition Month! This year, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics reminds us that by making small changes this month and over time, you can easily help improve your health now and for the future!

Not sure where to begin? See below for some nutrition tips for the whole family:

Make eating fruits and veggies fun! Trust us, it’s easy. On your next pizza night, add spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms, or broccoli as a topping. For breakfast, treat yourself to a healthy smoothie — with strawberries and a banana. Get saucy with fruit — puree berries or apples in a blender and use the thick, sweet sauce on pancakes or meats. Enjoy a loaded baked potato — with beans, tomatoes, and low-fat cheese. For 16 additional tips, download this handout! 

Choose smart snacks. Eating the right snacks throughout the day helps keep you energized and focused between meals — necessary for kids in school and even adults at work! Try making stuffed pita pockets: whole-grain pita, stuffed with ricotta cheese, granny smith apple slices, and a dash of cinnamon. Spread celery sticks with smooth nut butter or low-fat cream cheese, top with raisins for the traditional “ants on a log.” For more sacking tips, download this handout!

Cook more, eat out less. Eating right isn’t impossible, even if you’re on a budget. All it takes is a little extra planning before you shop! In fact, when you prepare meals at home, they end up being cheaper and more nutritious. So before your next grocery run, plan your meals for the week, check recipes, and consult your kitchen cabinets to create a list of must have items. Additionally you’ll want to:

• Shop for foods(fruits and vegetables) that are in season. Since they’re easier to get, they tend to be less expensive.
• Focus on nutritious, low-cost foods! Foods like beans, peas, white potatoes, eggs, peanut butter, canned tuna, brown rice, quinoa, and frozen vegetables are all nutritious and often less expensive.
• Consult your newspaper and look online for sales and coupons — especially when it comes to the more expensive ingredients like meat or seafood. Compare prices while shopping as well! Different brands may increase the charge.
  

Reduce sources of added sugars! Too much sugar is bad for your health — and for you teeth! Choose water over sugary sports drinks, juices, or sodas. Add cinnamon or dried fruit to plain oatmeal instead of instant flavored oatmeal. Switch to unsweetened or no sugar added applesauce or jams/jellies. Small substitutions go a long way!

Just as a balanced diet is good for our waistline - it's just as necessary for a healthy smile! 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 welcoming environment. Contact us today at one of our three convenient Long Island locations!

Teaching Kids About Dental Health

 

Knowing how to care for teeth starts in the classroom - and it’s never too early to begin education! By using the below resources you can help educate students of all ages to get excited about dental health:

Dental health speaker: One of the easiest resources you have, is us! We can come to your child’s school or day care to help teach them everything they need to know about taking care of tiny teeth. We even welcome class trips and scout groups to visit our offices for a free tour and lesson!

Easy to do activities: Leading dentistry websites offer a plethora of free materials to help start discussions with children about their oral health. Get them talking about healthy habits - tying into how caring for your mouth is as important as caring for the rest of the body. Show the USDA “Choose My Plate” chart and explain and review food groups and why each is important for healthy bodies and teeth. You may also want to discuss tooth functions by asking children to make lists of food to be eaten with and without teeth. Have children pronounce the alphabet and tell which sounds are made using the teeth, tongue and lips. If you didn’t have teeth - would it be easy to say “teeth” “toys” or “toothbrush”? 

Print and video resources: While National Children’s Dental Health Month has passed, you can still download the full sets of 2016 activity sheets on ADA’s website! So print the collection today and stock up on markers! Your kids (or students) will be on the road to 'Defeat Monster Mouth' in no time. For video resources, head over to Mouth Healthy Kids for the American Dental Association’s award-winning PSAs, Dudley and Friends. There you’ll also find some games and quizzes and even more activity sheets for use.

If you’re interested in scheduling a FREE school visit or info session with us, give us a call at any of our three locations. Our staff would be more than happy to coordinate a visit.

How to Spring Clean Your Smile

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Spring has sprung! Have you started your spring cleaning yet? In addition to household chores, now is the perfect time to spring clean your dental routine as well! 

Not sure where to begin? See below to get started:

Rid the junk food: By now you should know that the food you consume plays a vital role in oral health. In honor of National Nutrition Month, work to limit the amount of junk food in your home and instead replace with healthy fruits and vegetables for snacking.

Throw out your old toothbrush: Has your toothbrush seen better days? It may be due time for a replacement. In general, toothbrushes should be replaced every three months unless they show signs of wear earlier. So inspect your family’s toothbrushes - any with frayed bristles should be disposed of and replaced for the spring season. 

Remind everyone to brush and floss daily: Brushing and flossing are two of the most basic weapons in the fight against tooth decay. Reinforce dental habits in your home by reminding everyone to brush for two minutes, twice daily, and floss regularly. 

Schedule an appointment with us: The best way to help spring clean your dental routine? Scheduling a visit with us! Regular exams and cleanings are important for all ages. They give us the chance to monitor your child’s oral health and be proactive in catching problems early. 

Give us a call to schedule an appointment to make sure your child is on the right path to a lifelong healthy and happy smile! Give any of our 3 locations a call to schedule your appointment today! Don't forget to LIKE us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter for updates and industry news.

5 Holiday Dental Tips

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Even though sugar plums may be dancing in your head, don’t loose sight of your dental health this Christmas! Keep your family’s smiles healthy and bright through the New Year with the below holiday dental tips »

1. Be picky if it’s sticky - Hard and sticky candies are your teeth’s worst nightmare. With candy canes readily available over the Christmas season, be cautious when eating. Avoid chomping down to protect teeth.

2. Fill up on turkey - Is turkey on the menu for Christmas dinner? Good! This meal is a great source of phosphorus, protein, calcium, and vitamin D - all essential for keeping teeth strong and healthy.

3. Don’t use teeth as tools - With all the presents and packages you have to open, don’t be tempted to use your teeth to help. Avoid damage and leave your teeth for chewing food.

4. Carol while you clean -  Make sure you don’t cut corners! Teeth should be brushed for a full two minutes, twice daily. This holiday, hum the tune of your favorite Christmas carol while brushing to make sure you’ve cleaned them thoroughly.

5. Schedule a checkup - With the holidays comes time off from school, visiting family or taking trips to ring in the New Year. Don’t wait for a dental emergency to happen to bring your child to the dentist, give us a call and schedule an appointment today!

 

If you have any questions about your child’s teeth throughout the holidays, give one of our offices a call! We specialize in caring for children’s teeth in a comfortable and caring environment, in three different Long Island locations. 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! 

Travel Tooth Care Tips

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Have some upcoming vacations planned this summer? Whether it’s a trip to Disney or a trip out of town to Grandma’s, any getaway is bound to take you out of your normal routine. While a break from the daily stresses is always welcomed, there’s one thing you shouldn’t take a vacation from - your oral hygiene.

Make sure you and your family are prepared this season with these travel tooth care tips:

• Pack wisely - Make sure your tooth brush is secured in a travel container that provides enough air circulation. It’s also important to keep that container clean - before, during, and after your trip!
• Let your brush dry - Wet brushes can grow and spread bacteria. When you are done brushing, instead of placing it back in its case be sure to stand it upright so the water can drain off the bristles.
• Stock up on travel sized products - Travel sized versions of mouth wash, floss, toothpaste, and toothbrushes are all available and perfect for keeping in your purse or carry on for on the go use.
• Watch your diet - It’s easy to indulge when on vacation, just try not to go overboard! Watch the amount of sweets and remember to brush and rinse after consumption.
• Schedule a cleaning prior to your trip - Make sure everything is A-OK prior to your vacation by paying us a visit. This way we can make sure there’s nothing that will cause tiny teeth to have any big problems.

For any questions, concerns, or emergencies - we’re here for you and your child. Please feel free to contact us at any of our 3 locations. Call (516) 798-1111 or visit our website to schedule an appointment!
 

 

Spring Cleaning - Oral Health Edition

 www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

 

Spring cleaning - a time for decluttering the home, donating old clothes, and taking care of the seasonal outdoor chores. It’s also the perfect time to improve your dental health routine! 

In honor of tomorrow being the first day of Spring (minus the winter weather on the forecast), we wanted to help you brush up on some ways to not only spring clean your mouth, but your family’s as well:

• Out with the old in with the new - When was the last time your household replaced their toothbrushes? If you’re struggling to remember it’s most certainly time. For a general rule of thumb, replace your toothbrush every 3 months.
• Brush and floss regularly - Perhaps a New Year’s resolution was to stick to brushing and flossing regularly, and perhaps now you’ve slipped out of these good habits. Re-establish these habits now that the new season has arrived! Try keeping a travel toothbrush on hand (purse or car) to remind yourself to brush after a healthy lunch or a late breakfast. Add flossing to your nightly routine since during sleep, less saliva is produced to naturally clean the mouth, thus leaving bacteria to roam free and do some damage.
• Schedule an appointment with us - Regular exams and cleanings are vital for all ages. We specialize in caring for children’s teeth in a comfortable and caring environment and three Long Island locations. Head into the Spring in Summer with a healthy, bright smile and schedule your appointment today!

Don't forget to LIKE us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter for updates and industry news.