sweet tooth cookies & tips for a healthy smile

When our son was approaching his first birthday several people asked what we were going to be doing for his cake. I guess with Mike being a dentist they assumed we’d be baking him some healthy, sugar-free concoction. Anyone that really knows us knows that our family enjoys sugar, but like most things in life moderation is key. There are lots of ways that we take care of our teeth without cutting all sugar from our lives. To wrap up National Children’s Dental Health Month why not bake up some fun and yummy sweet tooth cookies. Then you can have a discussion with your little ones about how to keep their smiles healthy! This post is sponsored by Michael J. Young, DDS, Inc. located in Foresthill, California. Information is taken from www.ada.org and www.aapd.org. All opinions are my own.

tips for a healthy smile

brush and floss daily

We’ve all heard it before, right–brush and floss everyday, seems pretty simple, doesn’t it? The American Dental Association recommends that you brush for two minutes twice daily and floss once a day. Consider having your child use a timer if they have a hard time brushing for the proper amount of time. You can also have them try using flossers to see if that’s easier. Also, did you know that most children are not coordinated enough to properly brush their teeth until their a little older? Dr. Michael Young offers this as a general guideline: “Once your child has the dexterity to tie their own shoelaces they can begin to brush their teeth on their own”.

| Read: Easing Anxiety about Pediatric Dental Visits |

stick to sugar-free gum

You might think gum is a great alternative to snacking, or a nice way to freshen your breath between meals. However, many varieties of gum actually have sugar in them. Chewing on sugary gum for an extended period of time can be pretty harmful to your teeth. Be sure that when you’re at the store to always look for gum that is sugar free. Similarly, be aware of hard candies that you might suck or chew on for a long time.

don’t be a grazer

Dr. Young recommends that you only eat at designated meal and snack times. This helps limit the acidity in your mouth, which can lead to tooth decay. Keep in mind that this also applies to drinks that have sugars in them–so stop sipping your coffees and sodas all day. Drink up and be done with them (easier said than done, right mommas?!). Drinking water right after you’ve finished eating and drinking other beverages can help combat the acidity in your mouth.

| Read: Free Printables for National Children’s Dental Health Month |

see your dentist regularly

Of course, even if you brush and floss and do everything else you’re supposed to do, it’s important to see your dentist regularly. Your child should start seeing the dentist when their first tooth erupts, or by their first birthday. As for how often you should be seeing the dentist, the general rule of thumb is every six months. However, keep in mind that some people might need to see their dentist more or less often.

I used my absolute favorite sugar cookie recipe for these adorable sweet tooth cookies, you can find it on Glorious Treats!

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