Every parent wants to treat their child during the holidays without sacrificing their oral hygiene. Pediatric dentists recommend skipping sticky caramel and hard candies, but there are several tasty snacks that won’t cause harm to their teeth. The list below provides parents with a few helpful seasonal ideas to make kids both happy and healthy. 

Top Seasonal Delights for Better Oral Hygiene 

1. Gingerbread Cookies 

Gingerbread dough calls for less sugar than most other classic holiday cookie recipes. This guide to lower sugar gingerbread cookies makes it even easier to bake up holiday cheer without compromising tooth and gum health. Maple syrup and molasses take the place of brown sugar, so all you have to worry about is where to find the cutouts. 

2. Strawberry Banana Santa Hats 

These festive Santa hats combine a hint of indulgent white chocolate with bananas and strawberries. Strawberries have plenty of vitamin C, which promotes gum health and prevents the buildup of bacteria in the mouth. Bananas are rich in vitamin C and A, which work to create strong teeth.

Meld the two slices of fruit together with a thin layer of white chocolate, then top the Santa hat with a mini white chocolate chip. They’re not only fun and easy to make, but perfect for a kid-friendly party. 

3. Pumpkin Pie 

Pumpkin pie is delicious and festive. Better yet, it’s not chock full of sugar like apple pie or cake. Offer this low sugar recipe right after dinner. Kids’ mouths will still have saliva flowing, which helps wash away remaining sugar. To keep the sugar content low, skip the whipped topping.

4. Apple Trees 

Kids love holiday-themed apple trees because they are fun to eat. Parents like them because they have plenty of tooth-friendly ingredients. Start by laying out slices of tangy green apples. Make a trunk from pretzel sticks, then add raisins to the ends of the apple slices to look like ornaments. Create a star on top with a slice of calcium-rich cheese.

One of the best ways to ensure your child’s teeth and gums are healthy during the holidays is to make an appointment for an exam and teeth cleaning. Dr. Jon Hanks, Dr. Ben Hanks and their friendly dental care team at La Crosse Pediatric Dentistry of La Crosse County, WI, offer compassionate, kid-focused care, so your little one will be comfortable during each appointment. To schedule a visit to check up on your kid’s oral hygiene, call them at (608) 782-4054. For information about their services, including emergency dental care, sealants, and tooth fillings, visit their website. Read happy parent reviews on their Facebook page.