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Monday, February 29, 2016

Kids Books for Dental Health

 
Last week we learned about bedtime battles and the three B’s. While we can’t help with getting your little one into bed - we can at least provide some of our favorite books for bedtime. 

In honor of National Children’s Dental Health Month coming to a close, here are some tooth themed books for your nighttime routine:
Teeth Fairies A Baby Teeth Tradition: A new spin on the classic Tooth Fairy tradition. The Teeth Fairies box set features a book and doll meant to provide a fun interactive experience between your child and their own personal tooth fairy. Learn more about it here » 
Fancy Nancy and the Too-Loose Tooth (I Can Read Level 1): “Nancy really wants to get a special tooth-holder necklace from the school nurse—but how can she make sure her loose tooth falls out at school?” This book is great for young readers - has good vocabulary building and wonderful illustrations. Learn more about it here » 
Toothful Tales, How We Survived the Sweet Attack: Talking teeth and a sassy tongue make brushing and flossing an adventure instead of a chore! Illustrated and written in a style that's captivating to kids, Toothful Tales, How We Survived the Sweet Attack is an engaging 32 page, picture book about gooey sweets, germ goggles in the lab, luxuriating in a tub of bubbles and the mysterious provider of said gooey sweets, Grandma!  Learn more about it here » 
The Teeth That Looked for a New Mouth: A Story of a Boy Who Didn't Like to Brush His Teeth: Luke is a sweet boy, but he doesn't like to brush his teeth. So one day his teeth decide to look for a new mouth, one that would take care of them. Where did they go? Who did they meet? Did they find the perfect mouth? This pre bath-time children's story revolves around the tale of Luke's teeth and their journey to find a new mouth. Learn more about it 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.

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

#BedtimeBattle Twitter Chat Recap

 
Hosted by Kids’ Healthy Mouths, Momfluential Media, Have Sippy Will Travel, and Teeth Fairies.

Were you involved in last night’s #BedtimeBattle twitter chat about healthy nighttime routines? If not - don’t worry, we’re here to fill you in.

There were a ton of great tweets featuring advice from moms and industry experts - here’s a few of our favorites:


















Head over to Twitter for more advice, just search the hashtag #BedtimeBattle and see what other tips and tricks were shared!

Thanks for a great chat everyone!

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.
 

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Tips for Getting Toddlers to Eat Tooth Friendly Foods

 
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.

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

President's Week Kid Friendly Activities

 
It’s President’s Week and your kids are off from school. You’ve made it this far - but if you’re slowing down on ideas to keep them occupied until Monday, there are still a few workshops and events to cure boredom (including one in celebration of National Children's Dental Health Month!):

Penguins and Pajamas Sleepover
Long Island Aquarium - 431 East Main Street, Riverhead
February 18th 6pm - 7am
Members: $58.45  /  Non-Members: $64.95 [Kids 2 and under FREE]
Spend the night with penguins – an experience you’ll never forget! In this activity-filled overnight adventure, enjoy a penguin presentation and take part in hands-on crafts. After dinner, settle down for movie time - Happy Feet of course! Visit the website for more details and reservations.

Winter Recess Workshops
Science Museum of Long Island - 1526 N. Plandome Road, Plandome
February 18th - Attracted to Science 10am - 3pm
February 19th - Junior Engineers 10am - 3pm
Members:  $65 Per Child  /  Non-Members:  $75 per Child
For more than 50 years, the Science Museum of Long Island, located on the grounds of the 36-acre Leeds Pond Preserve in Plandome Manor has been making science education fun and exciting for children of all ages. For the remainder of the week, send your little scientists off to participate in their winter recess workshop program featuring a different science themed topic each day. Pack a lunch each day for your children and do dress them for the weather, as some activities are held outdoors. Slots fill up quickly, so register online today at www.smli.org or call 516-627-9500, extension 11 to register by telephone.

Boat and Tooth Workshops
The Whaling Museum & Education Center - 301 Main Street, Cold Spring Harbor
February 18th & 19th - Build-a-Boat Workshop 2pm - 4pm

Members: $5 Hull, free admission  /  Non-Members: $8 Hull, Museum Admission Additional
Stop by anytime between 2pm and 4pm to design your own vessel out of wood! The museum will provide all materials you’ll need to build your dream boat.
February 21st - Toothpalooza 12pm-3pm
In celebration of National Children’s Dental Health Month, come explore the amazing world of teeth! Touch some whale teeth, hunt for shark teeth, see a whale tooth cavity, meet the Tooth Fairy, learn facts about teeth at the craft stations, and create a keepsake box for baby teeth before leaving! Get your face painted too! (Visit website for more details)

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.

Friday, February 12, 2016

Weekend Events February 13th & 14th

 
Valentine's Day weekend is about spending time with your loved ones. If you're looking for ways to get out of the house (but still wish to avoid the -20 degree windchill) we've got some local events for you:
 
Celebrate the Chinese New Year!
Coe Hall, Oyster Bay  |  11am - 4pm Saturday & Sunday
$10 Admission Fee / FREE for members and children under 12
This weekend the mansion will be brilliantly decorated with red lanterns and as 2016 is the year of the monkey - their images will be prominent. Enjoy an exhibit highlighting the best Chinese jades and works of art in the Foundation’s collection. There will also be performances, sweet treats, and craft activities for children!

The Arcade Age
Cradle of Aviation, Garden City  |  11:30am, 1:30pm, 3:30pm Saturday - Monday
$24 Adults / $20 Children (2-12)
Explore the short history of video arcade games in an actual arcade! The Cradle of Aviation has transformed a section of its galleries into an arcade complete with unforgettable favorites like Ms. Pac-Man, Galaga, Space Invaders, Centipede, Donkey Kong and more!

Pinocchio
BroadHollow at Elmont Theatre  |  2pm Saturday and 12pm Sunday
$11 in advance / $13 at the door
Enjoy a show day at the theater with BroadHollow Theater Company! From the moment Pinocchio wrecks Mastroni’s puppet show until he becomes a real boy for rescuing his father from the great fish, the excitement never abates in this charming adaptation. 

Heartfelt Messages
Maritime Explorium, Port Jefferson  |  1pm - 5pm Saturday - Friday (19th)
Kids can design and create their own nautical Valentine’s Day Message in a Bottle! The Valentine’s Day fun doesn’t have to stop this weekend, Heartfelt Messages will be available daily through Friday, February 19th.

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.

Tooth-Friendly Valentine's Day Treats

 
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! 

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Caring For Tiny Teeth

 
 
When teeth and gums are cared for at an early age, they are less likely to suffer dental health problems down the line. To ensure your little ones have happy and healthy smiles through their early years - follow our tips for caring for tiny teeth below:

Don’t Delay Dental Care - Even if teeth haven’t reached the surface yet, oral care should start immediately. Clean any and all objects that may find their way into your child’s mouth to prevent the spread of bacteria. You’ll also want to start caring for your baby’s gums twice a day or after feedings. Take a soft, moistened washcloth or piece of gauze and gently wipe down the gums.

Brush Early - Spot a tooth breaking through? Hooray! Time to invest in baby’s first brush. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush with water. After age 3, use no more than a pea-sized amount of toothpaste to make sure children do not swallow excess toothpaste. 

Introduce Fluoride Appropriately - Fluoride can be harmful to infants and as such should not be introduced to them until age 3. Even at this age, only a small amount of fluoride should be used. 

Schedule Your Child’s First Dental Visit - Once their first birthday rolls around, it’s time to schedule that first visit with us! This helps us get them on a path to a lifetime of great oral health!
 
If you have any questions about your child’s teeth, 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!