Celebrate World Chocolate Day!

 

A piece of chocolate a day keeps the dentist away - er, not really. But chocolate actually does provide some benefits for oral health!

The cocoa bean in chocolate has tannins, polyphenols, and flavonoids - all of which are powerful antioxidants that help prevent infections and prevent bacteria from sticking to teeth. The darker the chocolate, the least processed and close to the cocoa bean it actually is.

So in honor of World Chocolate Day, treat yourself to some dark chocolate and read up on some other fun chocolate facts:

Chocolate is the food of the gods. Literally! The scientific name for chocolate is Theobroma cacao - literally meaning “food of the gods.” 

Chocolate was once a form of currency. The Maya and Aztecs actually used cocoa beans as a barter currency to exchange for food and clothes! 

Chocolate was a soldiers’ best friend. Chocolate was so valued in America during the Revolutionary War, that it was included in soldiers’ rations and used in lieu of wages!  

White chocolate is a derivative of chocolate. Some argue white chocolate is not actually chocolate. Why? Because its doesn’t contain cocoa solids - the main component of chocolate. 

Milton Hershey’s first love was caramel. It took 17 years for Milton Hersey to even become interested in chocolate making! Starting in the caramel business, it wasn’t until Hersey attended the 1893 World’s Fair that he decide to enter the world of chocolate production. Hershey Chocolate immediately became so successful, he sold his caramel company for $1 million to devote himself to chocolate. 

If you do plan to indulge today, remember - moderation is key! And don't forget to brush and floss afterwards! 

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.

Tooth-Friendly Valentine's Day Treats

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Celebrating Valentine’s Day with your family this weekend? While we know chocolate and sugary sweets are often the norm, they don’t have to be. This year, enjoy some tooth friendly alternatives! 

Apple Chips and Dip: You'll need two ingredients, and heart shaped cookie cutter. Slice apples crosswise into 1/4 inch wide slices. Lay them flat on a cutting board and with a small heart shaped cookie cutter, cut out apple hearts! Serve them with your favorite strawberry yogurt for dipping. 

Heart Toast: Grab a piece of bread, an egg, a heart shaped cookie cutter (or knife), and a frying pan and you’re ready to go! This dish is very easy to make and doesn’t take much more prep time than your typical egg breakfast.

Healthy Valentine’s Day Cookies: This recipe calls for all the health swaps. They’re full of protein, fiber, antioxidants, and have a natural sweetness from honey. Find the full recipe on Chocolates and Carrots » 

Strawberry Pancake Skewers: While these may take a little more effort than your typical pancake breakfast - we can bet they’ll be well received!  Create your pancakes and whipped cream from scratch, cut up some strawberries, and you’ll be ready to go! Find the full recipe on Bargain Briana »

We know it may be unrealistic to completely avoid sweet treats this Valentine’s Day. So in addition to the above, make sure you choose the better of the candy varieties. Dark chocolate for example contains antioxidants that are beneficial to your mouth and teeth. Learn more about your options in last year’s blog!

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! 

Tooth Friendly Summer Snacks

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Is there anything better than eating a refreshing snack in the dog days of summer? We don't think so! Below are some summer snacks you can really sink your teeth into:

Photo via Flickr/Shutterbean

Frozen Yogurt Dots - Kids love this since it looks and tastes like ice cream, parents love it because it’s not! Pour your child’s favorite yogurt into a Ziploc bag, snip off an end, and squeeze small dots of yogurt onto a baking sheet. Place the baking sheet into the freezer until the yogurt freezes. Once done, grab a handful and enjoy!

Frozen Watermelon Slices - Skip the typical sweet, frozen pops this summer by instead cutting a watermelon into slices, trimming off the rind, inserting a Popsicle stick, and putting them in the freezer! Voila - simple, healthy, and delicious!

Fruit Pizza - Take a whole grain tortilla, pita, or flat bread, spread your favorite ‘sauce’ (greek yogurt, jam, nut butter, etc), and then add your desired fruit toppings. Cut into wedges and serve! Or feel free to fold it like a quesadilla for a grab and go snack.

If you have any go to summertime treats, share them with us 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.

Bedtime Snacks for Kids

 www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

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!