Easter jelly beans, chocolate bunnies and marshmallow chicks have been on the grocery store shelves since February 15th and the kids have certainly taken notice. You have been able to buy a little time by telling them they have to wait for the Easter Bunny. But now April 5th is fast approaching and you need to start gathering goodies for their baskets.

Not everything has to be edible. Include a couple age appropriate coloring books and a box of crayons, colored pencils or markers.
Books are always a great gift no matter what the occasion.
Now that the weather is getting warmer add a couple outdoor toys. A mini golf or T-ball set, a kid sized gardening kit or sandbox or swimming pool toys are always great choices.
For older kids who may roll their eyes at the Easter bunny but still expect a basket on Sunday morning, you can’t go wrong with cash or gift cards.
You can still include sweets in their baskets; just make sure to select the right ones. Choose chocolate over sticky gummy treats. Jelly beans, gum drops and tacky candies such as taffy can literally stick to the teeth. When deciding which chocolate is best, pick solid dark chocolate over those with sweet fillings.
Add fruit. This way they still get the sweetness without all the harmful processed ingredients.
After eating those sweet treats have the kids chew a piece of sugarless gum to get the saliva flowing. This helps to wash away harmful acids and bacteria.

We here at Ellis Dental would like to wish all our clients, friends and family a very Happy Easter. We will be open our regular hours, so please feel free to contact us at 314.965.1334 to schedule an appointment.

If you’re like the majority of us at the beginning of the New Year you make resolutions concerning your physical health such as stopping smoking, beginning an exercise program and eating healthier. But what about your dental health? Experts say it only takes 21 days to form a habit so if you begin taking better care of your teeth today, by the end of the month these important tips will already be a part of your daily routine.

Begin flossing once a day. There aren’t any hard and fast rules concerning the best time of the day to floss; just make sure you allot enough time to do the job properly.
Limit sweets and starches. This might already be part of your losing weight resolution but did you know foods which contain large amounts of either or both can cause a greater build-up of plaque? If allowed to remain on and around the teeth, plaque causes gum irritation which can eventually lead to gum disease and possibly even tooth loss.
Eat more fruits and vegetables. Fruits like apples and watermelon have higher water content which helps to wash away the natural sugars before they can turn into plaque. Plus the roughness of a carrot stick, apple slice or broccoli floret acts as a natural toothbrush, gently scrubbing away that nasty plaque causing bacteria.
Remember the importance of both protein and calcium to help strengthen tooth enamel. Replace those sweet donuts and greasy chips with nuts. Add more lean protein such as skinless chicken, baked instead of fried. Substitute whole milk with the low or non-fat variety.
Start the year out right by picking up the phone and scheduling your bi-yearly dental appointments. It is so important to see your dentist on a regular basis to keep any minor problems from turning into something major.

For the best in Crestwood dental care for your entire family please contact the caring staff at Ellis Dental today.

Photo Credit

Dentist Approved Easter Treats

Helpful Tips for Tooth Care in the New Year