Choose Chocolate Instead of Jelly Beans this Easter

In less than one week the Easter Bunny will arrive with an array of sweet treats to satisfy your little one's sweet tooth. As much as us Pediatric Dentists (and, more than likely, you parents, too) would love to swap out basket loot with non-sugary gifts, we know the chocolate, marshmallow Peeps and jelly beans are inevitable. Here are a few tips to keep your kid's teeth as healthy as possible during this candy-fueled holiday:

• Keep candy snacking to a minimum. It's so easy to grab something sweet each time you walk by the basket, but put a limit on their intake, like just after dinner. That way you can rest assured that they will be brushing their teeth soon after. 
• Load up on chocolate instead of jelly beans and other gummy candy. We're serious! Gummy candies tend to be super sticky and can easily pull out fillings or get stuck deep down in the molars, but chocolate is much softer and will won't linger in the teeth after brushing.
• Encourage your kids to drink a glass of water or milk (no sugar drinks -there's enough sugar in the candy!) with each candy-eating session. That way your kids will wash away some excess sugar when brushing might not be an option.
• Don't forget to brush! Before your kids pass out in a sugary coma, make sure that they brush their teeth for the recommended full 2 minutes.  

A very happy Easter to all our patients and their families!