Spring Break Smiles

The weather is getting more and more perfect with each passing day, and you know what that means…Spring Break is just around the corner!

With Spring Break comes family vacations. But even when you are not in the comfort of your own home you shouldn't let your healthy teeth habits fall to the wayside. 

We all know having a clean mouth is important. A clean mouth gives you fresh breath and a nicer-looking smile. Brushing and flossing removes a thin sticky film of bacteria that grows on your teeth. This sticky film, called plaque, is the main cause of tooth decay and gum disease.

So…you know when you are gearing up for vacation and you pack your suitcase and put together your video games and chargers and things to keep you occupied in the car...Well, why not put together an Oral Hygiene Kit at the same time? Get yourself a big Zip Lock bag and fill it full of everything you will need to keep your smile clean, bright and healthy while on the road.

Here are a few items you will want to include in your OH Kit:

• Travel Toothbrush 
• Toothpaste 
• Mouthwash 
• Floss
• Floss Threaders 
• Elastics 
• Mini Mirror 
• Dental wax

Putting together an oral hygiene travel kit is the easiest way to support your healthy habits while away from home. And…you may also want to keep a Lenz Orthodontics contact card inside your kit just in case you have an emergency and need to call our office.

Remember...it's very important to maintain regular hygiene appointments with your family dentist throughout orthodontic treatment!

Green with Envy

St. Patrick's Day is tomorrow and if you're like most people, you are probably trying to come up with an interesting food item to bring to a party or potluck. 

 

Green food...not the easiest thing to think of. And yes, food coloring can pretty much turn anything you make green. But will what you make still look appetizing once you have turned it the color of the leprechaun? 

 

Frosted green cupcakes aside...when planning for a St. Paddy's Day event, keep the theme of the day in mind and go green! 

 

 

Guacamole Cups 

Photo Provided by gimmesomeoven.com

These Guacamole Cups are sure to be a hit. Now, this recipe we found has you making your own guacamole and baking your own wonton cups...but we are all about speed and convenience this late in the game. The same success can be achieved by using a "scoop" type chip and store bought guacamole. 

 

 

 Irish Cream Push Pops 

Photo Provided by hoosierhomemade.com

 

 

Oh...come on...how cute are these? And super easy to make. Basically all you need to do is make a tray of brownies, mix green food coloring into some Cool Whip, layer and you are done. Huge wow factor in no time at all. 

 

 

 

 

 

All Green Fruit Skewers 

Photo Provided by tipjunkie.com

 

 

Who says healthy food can't be fun food that tastes good?  Not us. Use Kiwi, Green Grapes and Green Apple to create these All Green Fruit Skewers. You can even go the veggie route by using Bell Pepper, Zucchini and Broccoli. Get yourself a little veggie dip on the side and you're friends will be calling you Darby O'Gill in no time. 

 

 

 

 

English Pea Soup Shooters 

Photo Provided by comfysunday.com

 

This Pea Soup recipe is like 2 ingredients total. But for those of you who don't even want to think about making your own pea soup, we think Campbell's and Progresso probably have a pretty good canned version that you can pawn off as your own. And really...with this idea, it's more about presentation anyways. 

 

 

 Green Velvet Layer Cake 

Photo Provided by foodnetwork.com

 

Now if you really want to be the bell of the ball and you have about 2 to 3 hours to kill, this cake is a must! And for dramatic effect...be sure to cut out a nice slice so that everyone can see how gorgeously green this cake is!

 

 

 

 

 

So go on...make 'em all green with envy this St. Patrick's Day!

The Breakfast Club

Waking in the morning can already be a daunting task and then you have to muster up the energy to prepare for the full day ahead. There is one sure fire way to get an extra boost in the morning…eat breakfast. 

They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Who are “They”? And why do they say this? 

Well…”They" are those doctors and scientists who have spent their life’s work figuring out ways to help us be a healthier society…so it’s probably safe to say that we can trust them. And when they say that Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, it’s because eating breakfast not only provides you with the energy you need for a productive day, but it is also helps in maintaining healthy weight. 

Some people skip breakfast in an effort to lose weight, but that's not a good idea…because it can backfire on you. Skipping meals, especially breakfast, can actually make weight control more difficult. People who skip breakfast tend to eat more food than usual at the next meal or they eat high-calorie snacks when they get hungry throughout the day. 

And while adults need to eat breakfast each day to perform at their best, kids need it even more. Their growing bodies and developing brains need regular refueling often. When kids skip breakfast, they don't get what they need to be at their best. Studies show that children who skip breakfast are tardy and absent from school more often than children who eat breakfast on a regular basis. 

Preparing a good breakfast can be as quick and easy as splashing some milk over cereal or making oatmeal or a healthy smoothie. Feeling short on time in the morning? Enroll your children in a school breakfast program or pack a breakfast that they can eat on their way to school.

3 Tips for Starting Your Day the Healthy Way

• Purchase portable breakfast items such as fruit, yogurt or breakfast bars.
• Get up 10-15 minutes earlier than you usually do in the morning to eat breakfast. Waking up earlier will allow you to make sure you have time to set and eat in the morning. And when you think about it…15 minutes is not that big of a deal, it’s like 1 less hit of the snooze button. 
• Replace drinking a cup of coffee with drinking a glass of milk or orange juice as both are proven to provide natural energy.

Image Provided by www.edwardpeake

 

 

 

 

Always remember… make sure that the foods you are consuming for breakfast are healthy and good for your body and your oral health.