Tips from A Kids Dentist in Green Brook Township for Staying Healthy this Easter

As Easter approaches, so does the Easter Bunny, egg hunts and plenty of chocolate and jelly beans. Tis the season for lots of candy. It is also a risky holiday for your children’s teeth. Naturally, candy is not good for them and while most parents understand this, keeping children away from it can be incredibly difficult. You cannot walk through the grocery store without seeing plenty of holiday candy and everyone from Grandma to the school will be giving them treats. This is why you need an anti-candy action plan. It may not be easy, but reducing their sugar intake will certainly help your children to stay healthier now and as they grow older. Here are our ideas for helping you to do so.

#1. Boil eggs instead of using plastic ones

Historically, people would boil eggs and then paint or decorate them. This can be a fun activity to do with the kids as they get to select their favorite colors, add glitter, stickers, and become incredibly creative with it. Truly, this can be a fun weekend activity for you to do with them. It is important to note that the FDA finds that no one should eat a hardboiled egg that remains outside for more than two hours.

#2. Hide your boiled eggs

Instead of hiding candy-filled eggs, hide the ones that you decorated with your kids. They will have just as much fun finding them and their baskets will be sugar-free.

#3. Designate a special egg

Since you will not be hiding candy, make one or two of your eggs special. If your child finds them, give a prize that is not related to sweets. Perhaps you can give them a new book or a small toy that they have been wanting. As a kids dentist, we know that prizes are something kids of all ages get excited about.

#4. Buy sugar-free candy

If you do not want your child to go completely without candy, buy the sugar-free variety. They can taste great and help to make your child feel included without actually harming their teeth or the rest of their body.

#5. Trade candy for prizes

If you take your child to an egg hunt in town or at church, you can always incentivize them to give up their candy. If they have been wanting something, trade them for the candy. If they want to have a sleepover or get to stay up late, trade them for the candy. It is actually fairly easy to find something that your children like more than candy. It only seems that they love it the most because of how exciting it is to find the candy in the first place.
As a kids dentist in Green Brook Township, we encourage you to try some of these tips so that you can help your child to avoid eating too much sugar. This is important for the health of their teeth since candy can lead to cavities. It is also important for their health overall. Eating too much sugar can weaken their immune system and increase their risk of developing diabetes. Learning healthy habits now can set your children up for a lifetime of good health overall.

Dental Sealants Are Always a Good Preventative Measure

Dental sealants are always a good preventative choice for you or your children to act as protection against decay for teeth. If your teeth are susceptible to decay or your children are still learning proper oral hygiene practices, we encourage you to explore dental sealants as an extra preventative measure. Continue reading to learn more as our Green Brook Township dental office answers questions concerning dental sealants.

What are dental sealants?

Dental sealants are plastic-like coatings that we place on the chewing surface of the molars the patient uses the most. Dental sealants form a hardened shield over teeth and act as extra protection against cavities.

Is the process of applying dental sealants complicated?

No, the process is actually very simple. First, we clean and dry the teeth and then apply cotton around them so they stay dry. We will then apply a chemical solution that will gently roughen the surface of the teeth for an easier and more secure dental sealant application. Once the solution has done its job, we will apply the dental sealant in a liquid form that allows it to seep into every crevice of the patient's teeth. We will then allow the sealant to harden before the patient leaves. After this quick process, the dental sealant will be securely in place for up to 10 years. When it wears off, we can easily reapply a dental sealant.

Who needs dental sealants?

It is best for children to get dental sealants when their first permanent molars come in. This normally occurs between ages five and seven. You can receive more dental sealants as more molars come in around 11 or 12 years of age. Adults and teens can also opt for dental sealants as a preventative measure if their teeth are prone to getting cavities.

Can dental sealants also be applied to baby teeth?

In some cases, it is a good idea to apply dental sealants to baby teeth. Baby teeth often have deeper crevices that are more prone to decay. Baby teeth hold space for future permanent teeth, so it is important to protect these teeth as well.

Can I use anything else in addition to dental sealants as extra protection for teeth?

Patients should brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and floss at least once a day. Most water has fluoride in it, which is important to drink. If water is not fluoridated, we can provide you and your children with a fluoride treatment to help protect their teeth. Fluoride will still work even if dental sealants are present. Fluoride is a great preventative measure because it helps your teeth rebuild and remineralize more quickly. It can also repair small cavities before they turn into bigger cavities that need fillings.
If you are interested in receiving dental sealants for you or your child’s teeth, or you would just be interested in learning about the process and how it can help you, call our Green Brook Township office at (732) 424-8483. We will provide you with a variety of necessary preventative dental services to help you maintain healthier teeth and gums for life.