Friday, March 27, 2015

Tips for Building a Healthy Easter Basket




Easter is around the corner and you might be thinking about what you should put in your child’s Easter basket. This year, challenge yourself to put together a personalized and unique, no-candy basket full of items your child will love.

Check out this list for some suggestions to get you started:

1.    Healthy snacks – Just because a snack is healthy doesn’t mean it can’t be delicious! We recommend fruit, hard-boiled colored eggs and trail mix as nutritious options for your child’s Easter basket.
2.    Gift cards – Depending on your child’s age and interests, pack a gift card or two treating them one of their favorite places. Older kids might enjoy a gift card for iTunes or a clothing store, while younger kids might like a gift card to their favorite toy store.
3.    Coloring Books – Get your child’s creativity going with a coloring book. Picking out one that features Easter or spring related pictures makes for an especially festive gift.
4.    Stickers – It’s no secret that kids love stickers! Pick some out that match your child’s interests or a cute Easter-themed set with bunnies, eggs and chicks.
5.    Books – Take this opportunity to encourage your child’s educational development!  Select storybooks to read to your children, a classic novel they might enjoy reading on their own.
6.    Action figures or dolls – Is your child obsessed with a popular TV or movie character? Consider getting them an action figure or doll! They’ll love getting creative and making up their own storylines with their favorite characters.
7.    Movie tickets – Treat your child to a movie night by putting some movie passes in their basket. Let them pick the movie and make it a fun outing for the whole family!
8.    Bunny ears – Kids love wearing costumes. Bunny ears or other festive, Easter-themed hats or headbands are the perfect accessory for the day!
9.    Legos – Did you know that Legos can help develop children’s cognitive abilities? They offer a wide variety of choices appealing to all ages.
10. Movies – Pick out a few movies your child is sure to love for their Easter basket! Once the Easter egg hunt is over and they’re all tired out, watching a movie will be a perfect activity.

If you just have to give your child some candy, consider chocolate, as it’s less sticky and less likely to cause cavities. Just make sure it’s all in moderation and balanced with some healthy alternatives. Happy Easter!

Friday, March 13, 2015

Get a Brighter Smile with Teeth Whitening




Teeth whitening is not just about the aesthetics. Having a brighter, whiter smile can do wonders for self-confidence, and mental wellbeing is shown to have a positive impact on physical health. Teeth whitening can also help turn back the years, especially for caffeine lovers and cigarette smokers.  
While there are a variety of over the counter products that can be used (such as whitening toothpastes, bleaching agents and strips), whitening treatments carried out under the supervision of a dental professional will ensure optimum results and safety. 

Artistic Dental offers its patients technologically advanced techniques in teeth whitening to help achieve a brighter smile. These techniques will lighten the color of your teeth, regardless of what stained them in the first place. There are a number of treatments that patients can choose from to get that sparkling smile, but we highly recommend dentist-managed teeth bleaching trays for best results.

What are Dentist-Managed Teeth Bleaching Trays?
One of the safest and most effective ways to see great results in a matter of days is through dentist managed teeth bleaching trays. The process for this treatment will begin at the dentist’s office and you will continue the care from home. First, the doctor will begin by taking a mold of your mouth. They will then create the trays from these impressions. The trays are an exact replica of your teeth so the whitening agent is spread evenly when the trays are inserted into the mouth. These products are designed for daily use and each treatment takes approximately an hour. After the first five days you will see visible results, but bleaching will only lighten your natural teeth, not fillings. We are big fans of the Opalescence To-Go Whitening Kit, a little goes a long way! If you experience any sensitivity from this method please report it to your dentist.
We are committed to helping our patients achieve outstanding results. Contact our office if you have any questions about teeth whitening or to schedule an appointment with our doctors to assess if you’re a good candidate for treatment.