Back to School Lunch Ideas!

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We know that school has just started and that means early mornings, getting all the kids out of the house with clothes and shoes one, teeth brushed, homework packed, matching shoes, and on time before that bell deems them tardy. We know that dinner time is crazy trying to come up with healthy foods for our kids somehow squeezed in-between tutors, music lessons, homework time, and sports. And we also know that after our precious babies are finally in bed, parents still have laundry, dishes, and those LUNCHES to pack! Oh how easy it is to reach for prepackaged foods full of sugar and completely lacking in nutrition! Marketing companies make it so easy to pick those up from eye level grocery store shelves… So here we, your Heights Pedo/Ortho team, are ready to rescue you by giving you some quick tips on making it easier on yourselves.

Let us start with discussing lunch boxes as those can really make a difference in packing lunches for our kids. Our favorites are ones that have compartments that make is easy to pack just the right amount and just the right variety.

Lunch needs to be healthy, easy to make, and nutritious. Here are our suggestions:

  1. The biggest compartment needs to be filled with the main meal. Sandwich with peanut butter, ham and cheese, or anything else your kids love is a good choice. Try to pick non-white bread to make it a bit more healthy. You can also pack a salad, pasta, meatballs, chicken, etc into that larger compartment. Simple wraps made with tortillas are also great ideas kids love. You can make enough pasta to last the whole week. You can make few sandwiches at a time and store in your fridge. The main meal should be an easy pick and pack on daily basis instead of making something new every day.

  2. One of the smaller compartments can fit fruit and/or veggies. For fruit we suggest anything that can easily be sliced at the beginning of the week or fits into the box without cutting up. Apples, oranges, berries, grapes, or kiwis are all great and can be cut up on Sunday night and distributed daily. Best veggies are the ones that your kids will eat. We find that kids like carrots, celery, broccoli, peas in a pod, cherry tomatoes and cucumbers. Have them all ready for easy “throw in” at the beginning of the week.

  3. Second smaller compartment can be used for a healthy carb such as pretzels, healthier version of chips or crackers. Kids like crunchy snacks in addition to their main meal and fruit and veggies.

  4. Granola or nut mixes are also great to fill in one of the lunch box spots. If you choose to pack granola bars, read labels as they are often filled with empty calories and sugar. However, there are many great alternatives on the market now, so do your research before and buy in bulk.

  5. Last but not least…. TREAT! The smallest compartment should be the one filled with a treat. Try to stay away from anything that is sticky, gooey or filled with chemicals. But a piece of chocolate, small cookie, chocolate or yogurt dipped pretzels, never hurt anyone and your kids will look forward to those little treats!

  6. SNACKS-these might not fit in a lunch box, but your kids will appreciate something to snack on throughout the day. There are plenty of healthy and non-sugar filled yogurts, apple sauces, puddings, fresh fruit such as apples and bananas, and other packaged foods that can be added to the packet of the lunch box case that will make your kids happy.

  7. DRINKS-we have only one word… WATER. A carton of milk at lunch time is perfectly healthy, but otherwise they need nothing but water to drink throughout the day. And lots of it! Encourage them to make sure that they stay hydrated. Flavored waters without sugar or sodium can be a once a day treat as well.

We sure do hope that this helps guide your on your daily lunch box quest! Remember, the less cutting, slicing, and spreading you can do daily, the less you will despise lunch making hour! And if we have to summarize it in one sentence here it is:

STAY AWAY FROM LIQUID SUGARS,

GOOEY, CHEWY, STICKY SNACKS,

AND MAKE YOUR KIDS’ LUNCH BOXES

AS COLORFUL AS YOU CAN.

Is my baby teething? What should I do?

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Did you know that when your baby is born, they already have 20 teeth, you just can’t see them yet?! YES! They are developing and hiding under the gums until they’re ready to start coming in around 6-12mos of age. All 20 baby teeth should be in place by about 3 years old. And then your little one can expect to start getting their second set of teeth at about 6 years old.

NORMAL Symptoms of Teething - fussiness, trouble sleeping, irritability, loss of appetite, drooling more than usual

NOT NORMAL Symptoms - fever, diarrhea, rash *If your baby has any of these symptoms, then you should contact their pediatrician for another possible illness or cause.

How can you soothe your teething baby?

Massage the gums with a clean finger, provide your baby a clean teether toy to chew on, and you can also try letting them chew on something cool like a chilled rubber spoon or chilled moist clean rag. These can help provide comfort to sore or tender gums.

What should you avoid?

*Avoid objects that are hard or can break when chewed on. It’s important to make sure these teething toys are also free of hazardous materials like metal or lead. The CDC recommends avoiding homeopathic magnetic hematite “healing” bracelets or amber necklaces because 1) they can contain metal or lead which can harm your baby, 2) puts your baby at risk for strangulation or choking.

*Avoid teething gels and tablets. The FDA recommends against using numbing agents like benzocaine (i.e. Anbesol, Hurricaine, Orajel, Baby Orajel and Orabase) for children younger than 2 because it can pose serious sometimes fatal risks, and has little to no benefits for treating oral pain. “Benzocaine can cause a condition called methemoglobinemia, a disorder in which the amount of oxygen carried through the blood stream is greatly reduced”. The FDA found in homeopathic teething tables “inconsistent amounts of belladonna, a toxic substance… sometimes far exceeding the amount claimed on the label. Consumers should seek medical care immediately if their child experiences seizures, difficulty breathing, lethargy, excessive sleepiness, muscle weakness, skin flushing, constipation, difficulty urinating, or agitation after using homeopathic teething tablets or gels," the FDA states.

If you have any questions about how to relieve your child’s teething symptoms, call us at Heights Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics 713-861-4000!

May Employee of the Month!

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We’re so excited to start off the summer with a new Employee of the Month! And it’s our our newest team member!!!

Congratulations to Tiffani! Our team said about her:

“Tiffani is working hard, always helps and very positive! :)”

“She is doing great!”

“She is working hard, always smiling, and pleasant to be around!”

“Tiffani is coming along really well with her training!”

“Tiffani is a great employee, has helped out so much and learned so much! We love Tiff!”

Well deserved. We are so thankful to have you part of the team, Tiffani! Congratulations!!

April Employee of the Month!

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Drum roll please…. Our newest employee of the month has been voted!!

Congratulations to Candy! Our team said about her:

“Candy is a very hard worker, always helping!”

“She is awesome!”

“Candy is always working hard with a smile on her face!”

“Candy is the super hero of ortho! Doing amazing everywhere needed. :) We love her! <3”

“Candy - Need I say more? :)”

“Candy! She’s been amazing! way to go!”

Well deserved. We are so thankful to have you part of the team, Candy! Congratulations!!

Brushing Fun with Electric Toothbrushes!

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Make brushing your teeth exciting and fun for kids by switching to an electric toothbrush!

How It Works

Manual and electric toothbrushes work using the same principle – dental plaque is removed through the bristles’ scrubbing action against the teeth surface. However, the electric toothbrush gets ahead of the competition by providing a second level of cleaning. This is made possible by its intense vibratory or oscillating motion of the toothbrush head that renders energy to the teeth’s surrounding fluids such as saliva. The fluids, agitated by the powerful motion, can dislodge plaques even on areas not touched by the bristles.

Features of Electric Toothbrushes For Kids

  • built in timer that runs for 2 minutes, some that even have 30 second buzzes or chimes to let you know when to switch to a different area of the mouth

  • toothbrush heads that can be switched out instead of throwing away the entire toothbrush which means less waste

  • different sizes and types of toothbrush heads targeted for young or older kids, brushing around appliances like braces, stimulation of gingiva, etc.

  • different power modes for younger and older kids, gum sensitivity, oral appliances, etc.

  • some play fun songs that kids can enjoy

  • handles designed with various gripping locations to make independent or parent-assisted brushing a breeze

Value for Money

Although powered toothbrushes are more expensive than most toothbrushes out there, it can be more economical in the long run. After all, regular and effective brushing can remove plaque that can cause tooth decay. And healthy teeth and gums, of course, equate to less dental expenses. Many parents would even agree that if their kids would be encouraged to brush their teeth regularly, then the product is well worth it.

Powered toothbrushes For Kids assist parents and kids in making a successful transition from assisted brushing to independent brushing. Kids who use powered toothbrushes are reportedly more excited during brushing time. Although some kids may find the vibrating motion uncomfortable at first, they will get used to it in time. It also makes brushing easier for people with limited dexterity or mobility such as young children or individuals with special health care needs

Remember, no matter what type of toothbrush you use, brush for two minutes twice a day with a toothbrush that has soft bristles. Replace toothbrushes every three to four months or more often if the bristles are visibly matted or frayed.

Click below to see all of the powered toothbrushes that have been tested and accepted by the American Dental Association for safety and efficacy!

ADA Accepted Electric Toothbrushes