May the “floss” be with you!
When we last met, we introduced you to our favorite dental droid, 2min2X-10, whose mission it is to help dentists, moms and dads be sure their patients and children are keeping good oral hygiene habits.
His goal is to help remind kids that they should be brushing their teeth for two minutes twice a day and using their trusty light sabers (actually their TUNG Brush and Gel) for 10 seconds daily to get rid of the bacteria that cling to their tongues and contribute to tooth decay and bad breath.
2min2X-10 has been busy since our last episode, searching the galaxy for tasty, but healthy, snacks for kids to eat that will satisfy their cravings but limit sugar intake, and he has come up with quite the list! Of course, this list might not be good for everyone because of allergies or specific preferences, but it sure can serve as a guideline to keep kids away from the “dark side” of tooth decay and gum disease.
Generally, kids like on the go snacks that are sweet or crunchy, or both. There are plenty of healthy alternatives to candy and potato chips, though, and they satisfy the cravings just as well.
Instead of potato chips, try:
- Popcorn (but easy on the salt and butter!)
- Pita chips
- Crunchy veggies, such as baby carrots, celery sticks, sugar snap peas or bell pepper slices
- Whole wheat pretzels
- Ants on a log (what are those, you say? Celery sticks with peanut butter and raisins – good for you and fun to make, too!)
Instead of that cookie, candy bar, or gummy bear, try:
- Fruit slices
- Granola bars
- Dried apricots
- Raisins
- Rice cakes
- Graham crackers
- Cereal bars
Hey – that doesn’t mean kids can’t have the occasional candy bar or bag of chips! There is nothing 2min2X-10 likes better than the occasional Milky Way or Starburst (what else would our Sugar Wars droid want to eat?)! But if your kids follow the lead of 2min2X-10 to brush, floss, use the TUNG Brush and Gel daily, and eat healthy snacks, “the floss” will be with them for many years to come, and they will be able to combat the evil of tooth decay and gum disease.
