Healthy Alternatives this Easter

With Easter fast approaching it will not be long until our children are waking up to those brightly-colored baskets filled with goodies. We all know the risks to our teeth when we consume sugary treats.

Dr. Fenlon wants to give the Easter Bunny some ideas on ways to supplement the usual candy treats with other healthy items. Here is a list of Dr. Fenlon approved healthy alternatives to Easter candy:

Art supplies, markers, crayons, paints
Hair Clips & Brushes
Easter-based books or movies
Mini board games & jump ropes
Family video games
Easter-based books or movies
Bubbles & chalk
Journals & pens
Fun tooth brushes & tooth paste
Jewelry & nail polish
Movie tickets
I-Tunes gift cards

Also, here are some helpful tips to remember after watching your children enjoy their Easter goodies:

1. Monitor that your children are brushing three times a day.
2. You could have your children use an age-appropriate fluoridated mouthwash.
3. Have extra disposable dental flossers around. You’d be amazed at what kids do when they’re bored.
4. Avoid or limit candy such as caramels, jelly beans, and taffy. These particular candies are extra sticky, making it hard for saliva to wash away the sugar.

Give your kids sugar-free gum or candy with XYLITOL to chew. Not only does sugar-free gum help prevent cavities; it also helps neutralize the effects of sugar from the candy. Therefore, it combats the bacteria in plaque that causes cavities.

For more information on oral health visit www.www.webmd.com/oral-health