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  • Hints to Fresh Breath for Holiday Parties

    The holiday season is stressful enough without having to worry about bad breath at the inevitable holiday parties and family get-togethers that feature rich foods and seasonal beverages. But you can reduce the odds of being burdened with holiday halitosis by following these tips.

    Brush Your Teeth And Your Tongue

    For most people, it’s second nature to brush their teeth prior to attending a party or get-together. After all, all those pesky bacteria that hang around on your teeth and gums are removed by a thorough brushing. But don’t forget your tongue it’s also a favorite place for icky-smelling bacteria to hang out. For work parties, be sure to keep a toothbrush and a small tube of toothpaste in your desk or locker at work so you can be minty fresh before the party. Colgate Wisps and FLIX Interdental sticks are also good solutions for on-the-go cleaning of your teeth and tongue.

    Be A Smart Eater

    The holiday season features lots of grazing on delectable foods at parties. All that grazing can leave you with a perpetual case of bad breath during the holidays. Here’s some simple tips to avoid that problem.

    Beware the Buffet: Certain foods provide a source of sulphur-producing bacteria, which can cause stinky breath. The main culprits are brazil nuts, walnuts, smoked salmon, eggs, beans, and cream cheese. Eat them in small quantities and be sure to graze on other foods that don’t fall into the sulphur-producing category.

    Pursue Parsley: Don’t think of parsley and mint as decorations on a holiday platter. Grab a sprig or two and munch on them the chlorophyll in them is a proven breath deodorizer and odor neutralizer.

    Have A Veggie: Vegetables are chock-full of water and Vitamin C, and both are effective bacteria fighters. The water helps flush out your mouth and Vitamin C kills odor-causing bacteria. So be sure to grab a handful of veggies periodically when grazing.

    Look for a Lemon: Lemons and other citrus fruits kick start your mouth into producing more saliva. And that’s good, since saliva rinses away bacteria and plaque. Add a slice of lemon to your water, or even better, take a bite of lemon and swish the juice around in your mouth.

    Drink Lots of Water

    A dry mouth worsens bad breath, and alcoholic drinks just exacerbate the bad breath since they dry out your mouth. So keep a glass of water handy if you decide to have an alcoholic drink and sip from it periodically. It will keep your mouth and your body hydrated (and help you prevent a hangover).

    Keep Sugarless Gum Handy

    If you feel like you overdid it on onions or garlic, or your breath still smells foul, grab a stick of sugarless gum to chew. It will provide a double bonus by increasing saliva production in your mouth to rinse away bad-smelling bacteria and cover up odors.

    Source: Colgate.com, Express.CO.UK

  • Brighten Smiles This Christmas With These 9 Stocking Stuffers

    Candy canes and chocolate are usual go-to items for stuffing Christmas stockings. This year, why not add some mouth-friendly items that will enhance your child or partner’s oral health and help brighten their smile?

    We have nine ideas for you this Christmas that are sure to light up the faces of the recipients.

    Chewing Gum With Xylitol: Putting gum infused with Xylitol in stockings will provide a double bonus. Chewing gum following a meal stimulates saliva in your mouth, and saliva is extremely efficient at acting as a buffer to acid and removing food particles from your mouth. And if the gum contains the natural sweetener Xylitol, the user will get a second benefit studies have linked regular use of Xylitol to reduced tooth decay.

    Toothpastes With Flavor: You’ve probably heard of bubble-gum flavored toothpaste, or mint-flavored toothpaste. But how about chocolate, ice cream, cupcake, or bacon-flavored toothpaste. In fact, you can even get pickle-flavored toothpaste (we say ‘ick’ to that)! Get your kids (and even adults) excited about brushing with a flavored toothpaste. Just make sure it contains fluoride, an essential cavity-fighter.

    Flavored Floss: Spice up your daily oral health routine with some flavored floss. Most floss is pretty boring, but change that this Christmas by putting flavored floss in stockings. You’ll find everything from cinnamon to banana and lots of other options. Remember, the best oral hygiene routine includes brushing and flossing. If flossing is something your family struggles to do, make it easier for them. Put floss picks in their stockings rather than regular string floss.

    Fun Toothbrushes: You should be replacing your toothbrush and your child’s toothbrush every three to four months. Give everyone a new toothbrush this Christmas, and then replace it again at Easter and just before they go back to school in late August. Buy toothbrushes that are fun and appropriate for the different members of your family. Be sure to get soft-bristled toothbrushes for toddlers. There are lots of favorite characters for school-aged children, and smart toothbrushes that play tunes or light up to help a child keep track of how long to brush.

    Colgate Wisps: These are tiny disposable toothbrushes that are perfect for when you’re on the go at work, school or even a night out with friends. They’ve been around awhile, but are so convenient and cute that they are always a good oral health stocking stuffer.

    Electric Toothbrush: This is a great alternative to a manual toothbrush. The basic models are very affordable and you can get them with oscillating, vibrating or sonic brush heads. Some even are themed for kids and play a tune for a couple of minutes to encourage the right amount of time spent brushing.

    Cool Toothbrush Holder: Stuff your child’s stocking with a toothbrush holder that’s sure to get their attention. You’ll find everything from robot to animal-shaped toothbrush holders available. Many depict a favorite character of the child’s and have space for both their toothbrush and toothpaste.

    Plaque-Disclosing Tablets: These are both functional and fun. You use them after brushing your teeth, and any areas that are colored red means you missed that area when you brushed or flossed, since the tablet has a red-colored ingredient that clings to plaque.

    FLIX – Interdental Stick: This is another go-to for cleaning your teeth in-between regular brushings when you’re away from home. FLIX will remove plaque, freshen your breath, massage gum tissue, reduce odor-causing bacteria, and provide a fluoride treatment.

    Sources: Delta Dental, Colgate, FLIX

  • Tips to Keeping Your Smile Bright For a Lifetime

    Keep your family’s gums and teeth healthy for a lifetime by following these 10 tips for good oral health. You’ll help them keep their smiles bright, avoid toothaches and cavities, and even improve their overall health.

    Good oral hygiene can be maintained by spending a few minutes each day on flossing and brushing, along with making smart choices about what you eat and drink. In fact, just about all gum disease and tooth decay can be prevented with proper oral hygiene. Additionally, recent research has linked gum disease to other health issues, including an elevated chance of heart disease.

    Here’s 10 tips to help your family maintain good oral hygiene from their early years to retirement and beyond.

    Begin at an early age. Your child’s first tooth will appear around six months, and that is when you should start your child’s dental care. Start by wiping their teeth with a clean, damp cloth or an extra-soft toothbrush. Once they reach the age of 2, let them try brushing their teeth themselves while you supervise. If you begin when they are young, you can help your child not be one of the 50 percent of kids between 12 and 15 who have cavities.

    Get sealed. Dental sealants are thin protective coatings that your dentist applies to your child’s back teeth to prevent decay. A good time to do this is when you child’s permanent molars come in, which is usually around 6.

    Be a friend to fluoride. The good news is that three out of four citizens of the United States drinks water that is fluoridated. But if you drink mainly bottled water, you’re skipping the fluoride, and missing out on the enamel-strengthening fluoride provides. Most toothpastes and mouth rinses have fluoride in them, and you can ask your dentist about having fluoride applied to your teeth the next time you are in for a visit.

    Practice a 2+1 regimen. Get in the habit and stay in the habit of brushing twice a day and flossing once a day. Plus, be sure to switch to a new toothbrush every three months.

    Be a swisher or a chewer After meals, swish your mouth with an antibacterial rinse and/or chew sugar-free gum. The antibacterial rinse will kill bacteria in your mouth, and they are the initial culprit in the formation of a cavity. Chewing gum increases the flow of saliva to your mouth, and saliva washes away that dreaded bacteria and the acids they produce.

    Use a mouth guard. If you have a son or daughter playing contact sports, then invest in a custom-fitted mouth guard to ensure their future oral health. Your dentist can make a custom fitting and order a mouth guard for them at an affordable cost.

    Give up the tobacco. Tobacco and good oral health do not go well together. Smoking or chewing tobacco inevitably leads to stained teeth and boosts your risk of gum disease and oral cancer. If you use tobacco, stop. If you don’t use tobacco, don’t start.

    Be a smart eater. Your teeth and gums will love you if you eat a healthy diet. Your gums and teeth will get all the nutrients they need if you stick to a well-balanced diet heavy on whole foods. And eat fish the omega-3 fats found in fish have been shown to reduce inflammation, which will lower your risk of gum disease.

    Say no to sugary foods. The bacteria in your mouth (remember them) love sugar, because they consume it and then produce acids. Those acids attack your tooth’s enamel, which can lead to tooth decay. Two sugar-filled items to really avoid are sugary drinks (soft drinks and fruit drinks), which you tend to sip and thus raise the acid levels in your mouth for an extended period of time, and sticky candies, which attach to your teeth.

    See your dentist regularly. Make sure to see your dentist every six months for a hygiene visit and a check-up. That way, any plaque that you haven’t been able to remove will be removed, and any signs of decay will be spotted. Your dentist will also check for any signs of oral cancer or gum disease, and if you are grinding your teeth.

    SOURCE: WebMD

     

  • Tips to Prepare Your Child for Their First Dental Visit

    It’s important to schedule your child’s first dental visit before their first birthday. At that point, children’s baby teeth are starting to appear and are susceptible to decay and cavities. Although their baby teeth are not permanent, decay in baby teeth can lead to an increase in the risk of decay to their permanent teeth once they start to develop.

    Many new parents are surprised by this recommendation, but they also don’t realize that preschool-aged children are getting more cavities. In fact, 25 percent of kids had a cavity by age four in the United States. Cavities are appearing in children as early as two years old.

    Why Baby Teeth Are Important

    Parents who have never taken their child to the dentist often are surprised to find out that baby teeth (also called primary teeth) need to stay in place until they naturally fall out. Baby teeth are important for a number of reasons:

    Helping proper chewing

    Speech development

    Saving space for permanent teeth

    Supporting a healthy smile

    Preparing for the Initial Visit to the Dentist

    Preparation is a key to a successful first dental appointment for your child. Be sure to contact your dentist prior to your child’s first visit to discuss the procedures at the office so you avoid surprises. Have the dental office send you the forms you need to fill out for your child ahead of time. Or if they have online forms, use that option.

    Be sure to discuss your child’s first visit to the dentist in a relaxed and positive manner. They will pick up on any negative feeling you have about dental offices, so maintaining a patient and calm approach to their questions is important.

    Help your child practice brushing their teeth prior to the first visit so they will be used to the feel in their mouth of a toothbrush. Learn as much as you can about a child’s first dental visit and their oral health before you take them to the dentist for the first time. Delta Dental has a great set of resources on their website at www.mysmilekids.com. It’s filled with fun activities and interesting stories to teach kids about their teeth.

    Send a list of any medical issues that affect your child to your dentist, along with a list of medications they take. Keep the phone number for your child’s pediatrician easily accessible in case your dentist asks for additional health information.

    Finally, bring your child’s most-loved blanket, toy or stuffed animal so that they feel secure and comforted on their first visit to the dentist. 

    What to Expect At Your Child’s First Visit

    Make sure to schedule your child’s first dental visit early in the day so that they are alert and feeling fresh. Expect a bit of fussing from your child during the visit, but many parents are surprised how easily their child accepts the dentist’s examination. In fact, many kids like the novelty of the visit and the extra attention.

    Your dentist will check the development of your son’s or daughter’s teeth and look for any problems. They will do a thorough but gentle exam of your child’s teeth, jaw, bite, gums and oral tissues.

    This first visit is also a great time to chat with your dentist about tips for dental care for your child, including diet’s impact on oral health, risk of cavities, oral hygiene, use of fluoride, oral habits (thumb and finger sucking), and preventing trauma to their mouth.

    Developing trust with successful visits to the dentist will provide your child with an important foundation for their future oral health. This will reduce potential anxiety and fear, which will make for plenty of stress-free visits in the future. Most experts recommend that children see the dentist about every six months so don’t forget to schedule your child’s second appointment on your way out the door!

    Sources: Parents.com, KnowYourTeeth.com, Colgate.com, DeltaDentalIns.com

     

  • Give Your Teeth A Healthy Thanksgiving This Year

    If you’re looking for ways to make this year’s Thanksgiving meal a little healthier for your oral health, then we have seven tips to help you keep everyone’s teeth and gums happy this year.

    Slow Down on the Sugar

    If you love sweets, then Thanksgiving is often a sugared-filled delight for you. Marshmallow-topped sweet potatoes, cranberry relish, and a variety of pies covered in whipped cream are often packed with sugar. That’s tough on your teeth because sugar is a favorite food of bacteria in your mouth. And bacteria consuming sugar is the first step in the creation of a cavity in your mouth. There’s a simple solution to avoid all that sugar switch to erythritol or xylitol. They don’t create cavities but are great as sweeteners.

    Beware of Brightly-Colored Foods and Drinks

    If your Thanksgiving spread includes red wine, cranberry relish, cherry or blueberry pie, then you might want to reconsider your choices. Brightly-colored food and drink can dull the enamel on your teeth and increase the odds of staining. So this year, cut back on bright foods and be sure to drink lots of water to wash away those stain-causers.

    Reduce the Starches

    Stuffing, cornbread and rolls are all starch-filled which is why most of us love them. But consider cutting down on the amount you eat this year. You’ll get a double bonus if you do that because you’ll be reducing the calories you consume and reducing the opportunity for bacteria in your mouth to use the starches as food (starches convert to sugar when you eat them) that can lead to cavities. This year have an extra portion of protein or vegetables instead of a starch-filled food.

    Acid Makes Your Teeth’s Enamel Unhappy

    Acidic foods and beverages are tough on the enamel that covers and protects your teeth. The reason? The acid softens your teeth’s enamel, making it easier for bacteria to start the process of creating cavities. Cranberry juice and red wine are the biggest culprits in terms of acidity. But you can reduce the impact by keeping a glass of water handy and sipping from it between drinks of your acidic beverage. Also, be sure to wait at least 30 minutes before you brush after you have eaten acidic foods. The acid softens your enamel and the bristles on your toothbrush can damage the enamel.

    Get A Little Nutty

    You can strengthen and remineralize your teeth by spending some time at the nut dish this Thanksgiving. That’s because nuts are loaded with calcium and good minerals. Plus the nuts produce lots of saliva when you chew them!

    Think Rainbow When You Fill Your Plate

    If your plate on Thanksgiving looks like a rainbow of colorful vegetables, then your teeth will be happy. That’s because vegetables are packed with minerals and vitamins. Orange and red vegies will provide you with lots of Vitamin C, while green leafy vegies will deliver lots of calcium. A bonus is the fact that chewing raw vegetables will create lots of saliva, which will naturally wash away your oral enemy bacteria. And don’t forget celery’s fibrous strands are great at helping clean between your teeth!

    Drinks Lots of Water…And Have a Cup of Tea

    Damage to your enamel caused by acids is reversed when you drink fluoridated tap water. You also double your cavity-fighting efforts if you brew some green or black tea using fluoridated tap water. Teas kill bacteria and thus fight cavities. Sipping water or tea while you eat will also wash away acids caused by starchy and sugar-laden foods.

    Sources: MouthHealthy.org (American Dental Association), DeltaDental.com, Colgate.com

  • Yummy Stuffing for Thanksgiving

    Dr. Andrew Heinisch recently joined Personal Care Dentistry, and our care team was excited to find out that he loves to bake (and is really good at it)! So we asked him for a favorite recipe of his for Thanksgiving, and he gave us this yummy recipe for Thanksgiving stuffing. The recipe is originally from his grandmother.

    Preheat oven to 350 degrees

    9 X 13 Glass baking dish

    Lightly spray inside of dish with PAM

    Break white bread into 1-inch pieces, spread on cookie sheet, bake until crunchy (takes about an hour and a half)

    Or

    Buy a bag of pre-baked (saves time)

     

    Mix baked bread with:

    Seasoning salt

    Garlic salt

    Onion salt

    Poultry seasoning

    Sage (just a little)

    Dices white onion (I like onion so I use a whole onion)

    Diced green pepper (x1)

    Dices celery (I like celery so I use the whole stalk)

    Butter (1 stick, softened)

    If you like gizzards go ahead and add them

     

    Add chicken broth until mixture is sticky (Don’t want it dry but don’t want it soaking.  You will be adding two eggs.)

    Taste and add additional seasoning to your liking.

    Add 2 eggs (I always add the eggs last so that I can taste it to get my seasoning just right)

    Place in baking dish and cover with aluminum foil.

    Baking time will vary depending on how chicken broth was added. On average about an hour. It is done when a toothpick comes out clean. The inside will be soft and the outside will be crispy.

  • This Is a Practice That Values Building Person-to-Person Relationships

    When Dr. Andrew Heinisch decided to move his dental career to the Twin Cities in the Fall of 2018 from Worthington, Minnesota, he had a wide range of options in where he would practice and how he would practice. I looked at both private practices and chain practices, in both downtown locations and suburban offices. But I kept finding that their goal was not to develop patient relationships based on trust and quality of care.

    But when Dr. Heinisch interviewed with Dr. Walter Hunt, founder of Personal Care Dentistry, and spent time getting to know some of the care team at the Roseville practice, he knew he had found a new home. They really do provide personal care at Personal Care Dentistry, he says. I knew pretty quickly that it was a practice that fit me.

    Since joining the Personal Care Dentistry team, Dr. Heinisch’s initial impressions have been accurate. This is a practice that values building person-to-person relationships with their patients. They treat their patients as people, not a set of teeth. The staff are very kind and are genuine in the way they treat patients and talk to them. I see a lot of smiling team members at Personal Care Dentistry.

    That approach to patients fits Dr. Heinisch’s philosophy. Dentistry should revolve around the patient, and if they are happy I am happy.

    Dr. Henisch grew up in St. Paul and went to Harding High School. He worked office jobs in two Twin Cities hospitals after he graduated from high school, including three years when he managed to juggle both full-time jobs. Eventually he decided to enroll at the University of Minnesota as an undergraduate and majored in biochemistry. He worked the entire time he was at the U of M, and also volunteered at the Union Gospel Mission and taught GED classes in math and science. Dr. Heinisch graduated in 2010 from the University of Minnesota, and then was accepted in the dental program at the University of Iowa.

    I was attracted to dentistry because it is a medical profession that is its own specialty and I was always attracted to the medical field, notes Dr. Heinisch. I have always been interested in oral health and dentistry was the perfect field for me to pursue.

    Dr. Heinisch graduated in 2014 with a dental degree, and joined a practice in Iowa Falls that had several clinics in Iowa and Minnesota. He worked in their clinics in Fort Dodge and in Des Moines for a year, and then moved up to Worthington, Minnesota in 2015 to work in their dental office.

    Dr. Heinisch believes in giving back to his community. I have always wanted to serve underprivileged populations. I was on a Kiwanis board and helped with a free clinic we offered services to people who couldn’t get service.

    Dr. Heinisch and his wife Brandy live in downtown St. Paul and have one daughter Nadia who was born in the summer of 2018. They also have a pair of dogs Roxie and Piffy – and a cat named Brady (Dr. Heinisch’s wife is a New England Patriots fan). They like to bike and kayak and Dr. Heinisch loves to spend time in his kitchen baking.

     

     

     

  • Dr. Walter Hunt – Practicing the Golden Rule of Dentistry Since 1977

    Most people are familiar with the Golden Rule – do unto others as you would have them do unto you. And most of Personal Care Dentistry’s patients know that the Golden Rule guides the dentists and staff at the clinic when they are assisting or treating patients. But when did Dr. Walter Hunt, DDS, the founder of the practice, start implementing the Golden Rule as a driving force at Personal Care Dentistry?

    From the first day he opened his practice in 1977 on Hamline Avenue, Dr. Hunt emphasized the Golden Rule of Dentistry.  According to Dr. Hunt, Our practice has always taken the time to really listen to our patients and provide close, personal attention to best customize their care. I know the kind of care that I demand as a patient, and that is the kind of care that I strive to provide. I call it ‘Golden Rule Dentistry.’ It is a philosophy shared by all of our staff members.”

    But you have to go back even further than 1977 to learn about how and why he developed his approach to dentistry that focuses on compassionate care.  Dr. Hunt grew up in northwestern Indiana in a small town named Merrillville. By the time his family moved to Minnesota at the beginning of his junior year of high school, he had become an accomplished athlete in both football and baseball. It was then that he also reached a defining moment in his life, one that has influenced his approach to life and dentistry.

    Even today, I still feel like I get more out of caring for others than they do. I love being here at Personal Care Dentistry. – Dr. Walter Hunt

    My family didn’t have much money we lived in a poor neighborhood in Merrillville so I had a lot of friends who were also poor. But because I was a good athlete, I also had a group of friends who came from families with money. And I didn’t like the way the kids with money would treat the poor kids. It was then that I vowed that I would always treat everyone equally with the same amount of caring and respect, emphasizes Dr. Hunt. The worth of a person should not be defined by what they have or how they look.

    For Dr. Hunt, being a dentist and the founder of Personal Care Dentistry is not a job. It is a passion. He has had the same goal for almost half a century treat people with dignity and respect, and as a dentist, provide them with the best care possible.

    This is my passion, and this is how I can contribute to helping other people have better lives. Even today, I still feel like I get more out of caring for others than they do. I love being here at Personal Care Dentistry, concludes Dr. Hunt.

  • 8 Options for A Great Grin

    If you feel like your pearly whites need some help to enhance your smile, then you have an array of options to choose from at Personal Care Dentistry. These range from changing the shape of your teeth to closing gaps in your smile; from making them whiter to removing plaque and taking care of cavities.

    Here are 8 common dental procedures that will help you have a happy, healthy smile!

    Teeth Whitening

    Over time, your teeth often lose their shade of white because of the chemicals in the food and drink that you consume. Personal Care Dentistry can create a customized mouthpiece tray that makes sure you’ll get the correct amount of whitening solution on your teeth when you use the tray.

    Crowns

    Crowns are designed to completely cover your tooth, giving it a normal appearance and shape. Crowns also called caps are used by the team at Personal Care Dentistry for a variety of dental problems. These range from using a crown to cover a large filling to providing a weak tooth with added protection. Crowns are also used after a root canal procedure, to cover a dental implant, or hold a dental bridge in place.

    A variety of materials can be used to make a crown, including metal, porcelain fused to metal, resin, or ceramic materials. Although more costly than some other dental procedures, permanent crowns can have a long life if you take good care of them.

    Bonding

    If you have teeth with extra space between them, or teeth that are broken, stained, chipped or cracked, then bonding might be the answer to your dental problem. Bonding can often be done in one office visit and involves applying an etching solution to the tooth and then adding tooth-colored materials (often a composite resin) to the tooth’s surface. Bonding usually lasts for several years, but is more likely to chip or become stained vs. other restoration types.

    Veneers

    Veneers are usually made of porcelain and are designed to cover the front of your tooth to alter the color and shape. They last longer than bonding and give your tooth a better appearance. They are usually a bit cheaper than crowns. Veneers can help teeth that have spaces between them, are permanently stained, are chipped or worn, are slightly crooked, or are shaped poorly. When you come in for your initial visit, the dentist at Personal Care Dentistry will take a tooth impression. On your second visit, the dentist will prepare the tooth before cementing the veneer on the tooth. The dentist then uses a light beam to harden the cement.

    Enamel Shaping and Contouring

    This procedure can help alter the shape, length or position of your teeth. The dentist uses dental enamel to enhance your teeth’s appearance. Reshaping and contouring often is used to correct overlapping or crooked teeth, irregular and chipped teeth, or minor bite problems. It is often used in conjunction with bonding.

    Bridges

    Often a dental bridge is called a fixed partial denture. It is used to replace teeth you are missing with artificial teeth and can be made of porcelain, gold, alloys or a combination of materials. Dental bridges are anchored onto other teeth after preparing them for crowns. Then a false tooth joins to the crowns and the bridge is cemented onto the prepared teeth.

    Braces

    If you have crooked teeth or suffer from an underbite, overbite, or other problems with your jaw or teeth – braces are often your best solution. It can take a few months to several years depending on the severity of your dental issue. Braces can be made from ceramic, metal or plastic, with wire connecting them. The process is often uncomfortable, but the end result is worth it to many people.

    If the problem you need correcting is not severe, you may be able to use clear aligner trays to address your problem. This approach is more convenient and less painful, but often more expensive. But for many people, the cost is worth the outcome.

    Implants

    While implants can be one of the more expensive dental procedures, they are one of the best solutions to dental problems because of their permanence and stability. Many people prefer them to removable dentures (which can fall out easily). Your dentist at Personal Care Dentistry surgically connects the implant to your jawbone. The result is strikingly realistic looking teeth that won’t lose their shade of white. There are multiple steps involved in putting in an implant, so you’ll need to visit your dentist several times over many months.

    Of course, many of the solutions we’ve outlined aren’t needed if you take care of your teeth through proper oral hygiene, Be sure to brush twice daily, floss daily, and visit Personal Care Dentistry every six months for a check-up and dental hygiene cleaning.

    Sources: Worldental.org, WebMD

  • Alternatives to a Candy-Filled Halloween

    Every year about this time, when spooky ads abound and grocery aisles are fully stocked with individual-sized candy, you might be pondering whether you should stock up on the sugar-laden treats for the neighborhood kids or should you look for healthier alternatives that won’t negatively impact oral health and won’t evoke a look of disgust from the children?

    You can find tooth-friendly healthy food treats and fun non-food gizmos that will please the most ardent candy-lover you just have to spend some time looking for the right healthy Halloween items. These healthy treats that you drop into trick or treaters’ Halloween buckets can be delicious, good for them and don’t have to start with ‘c’ and end in ‘y’.

    From the Pantry

    Gone are the days when you could bake a batch of homemade oatmeal raisin cookies or popcorn balls and pass them out. Most parents are hesitant to let their kids enjoy anything that is not individually wrapped. But there are plenty of individual portion treats to satisfy even the most discriminating costumed child.

    Favorites from the pantry include:

    • Raisins
    • Pretzels
    • Juice boxes
    • Mini water bottles (they need them to help wash down the candy while trick or treating)
    • Plain cookies (graham crackers, Teddy Grahams, vanilla wafers, etc.)
    • Baked chips, baked tortilla chips
    • Popcorn
    • Lowfat granola or cereal bars
    • Sugar-free gum

    Believe it or not, a few random non-candy items in the sack are fun to discover for both parents and kids. Moms and dads delight in finding nutritious nibbles that they can borrow to put in Johnny’s lunchbox. The kids like the variety and often end up eating or drinking the nutritious treats while trick or treating for respite from all the candy.

    Party Store Goodies

    If you opt to generate a little more enthusiasm from your neighborhood gang, try the numerous non-food items that kids love. These items will often generate bigger smiles than the typical sugar-laden candy that is the norm on Halloween. Keep your eye out for small inexpensive gadgets and things that kids love to collect such as:

    • Decorative pencils
    • Small rubber balls
    • Erasers
    • Rubber ghosts, goblins, witches
    • Waxed lips
    • Glow sticks
    • Stickers
    • Key chains
    • Marbles
    • Tic-tac-toe or other small games
    • Bubbles
    • Chalk
    • Coloring books
    • Crayons

     

    So How Bad is a Bucket of Candy?

    OK, so you decide to wear your parent hat, remembering fondly the thrill of your own childhood when you came home after Halloween night and spilled out all your goodies onto the living room floor. Why would you want to deny kids this same memorable experience? Granted, there is nothing wrong with candy in small doses. The problem is that more kids today are overweight or obese and it is a serious health problem. Is Halloween the time or place to correct this national problem? No, but it sure doesn’t hurt to sprinkle a few non-candy items to help reduce the temptation to pig-out on candy.

    If candy you must, choose non-chocolate types that contain fewer calories without caffeine-like stimulants. Hard candies, jelly types, licorice are good examples of candy without the extra fat calories of chocolate and sans potential stimulants.

    A Dose of Parental Guidance

    As a parent, it is best to establish a plan of how all this candy will be consumed. Ideally, the distribution of the candy will be the parent’s responsibility, otherwise, you may find meals skipped in preference to candy fests. Dole it out in moderation. If you have a very active child who is of normal weight, you can be more generous but not so much that it affects their appetite. Remember, kids are growing and need lots of nutrients that are not found in candy. Candy needs to be considered a treat, to be consumed after satisfying the body’s need for vitamins, minerals and nutrients.

    SOURCE: WedMD.com, TealPumpkinProject.com

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