sara@sarachandlee.com, Author at Red Apple Pediatric Dental Team

A Hearty and Healthy Pasta Recipe!

Here is a hearty and healthy pasta recipe! Pasta is a rich and satisfying dish and is naturally high in complex carbohydrates, a storehouse of energy. To get more health benefits use whole-wheat or vegetable versions of pasta. We all know kids love pasta but not vegetables. To encourage them to get the benefit of a variety vegetables, we combined vegetables with pasta in a dish that sure to become a kid favorite. Lots of vegetables add a healthy dose of vitamins!

Ingredients:
12 Ounce of your favorite pasta
2 Zucchini, diced
4 Cloves of garlic
2 Tablespoon minced peeled fresh ginger
1 Small red bell pepper
2 Cups chopped onion
2 Cups chopped mushroom

Salt, as you wish
Black pepper, as you wish
1/2 Tablespoon turmeric

2 Cups broccoli florets, chopped into bite sized pieces
1 Cup chopped parsley
1 Cup chopped kale

2 Tablespoon vegetable oil
4 Tablespoon olive oil

A jar of Alfredo sauce, or if you would like to stay healthier you can eliminate Alfredo sauce and just add more olive oil and/or Parmesan cheese.

Directions:
Bring water to boil and add salt. Italians know how to prepare pasta. They say NEVER add pasta to boiling water until everyone’s nearly ready to eat.

Meanwhile, chop the zucchini, garlic, mushroom, onion, ginger, and red bell pepper and put in a saucepan

Add some black pepper as you wish
Add a pinch of turmeric
Add oil and stir-fry over high heat, until it begins to soften.
Add broccoli, parsley, and kale to the pan and fry for 2 more minutes.

Whisk olive oil and Alfredo sauce into the vegetables, stir for 1 minute. Your sauce is ready.

Drain pasta

Toss pasta, and sauce in your heart-healthy fiber plate. Buon appetite!

Cook’s clue:
Feel free to remove any ingredient you don’t like or add what you like. It is so much fun when you have control over your cooking.

Cook’s Secrets:
Wine? Only for kids over age 21.
Love? Can also protect the heart.
Exercise? Get at least 30minutes of moderate activity a day.
A bath, a book, a movie, a phone call to a relative all are so much fun.

Now time to floss and brush your teeth!

Are Dental Sealants Safe? The Pro’s and Con’s

Pros and Cons of Dental Sealants

If you are considering getting dental sealants for your child, check out our list of pro’s and con’s so that you can be more informed. Contact Dr. Payam if you want your child to have the best dental sealants in Stafford, Va.

Pros

Significantly reduces the chance of a child getting cavities

Dental sealants prevent plaque and bacteria from getting into the grooves of the back teeth that even a tooth brush has trouble cleaning which helps limit the chance of cavities

Dental Sealants are cheaper than filling cavities

Filling a cavity on average can cost up to four times as much as applying a dental sealant does!

The process is quick and painless

Dental sealants are easy for a dentist to apply and the process is completely painless. The dentist will clean the tooth and then brush the coating on top of the tooth, covering the groves that are hard to clean. View our Dental Sealants video to learn more.

Cons

Dental Sealants are not a solution to existing cavities

If a child already has a cavity on a tooth, dental sealants are not helpful. They are a preventative measure that will reduce the risk of cavities on a tooth, but are not the solution if one is already present.

Rare chance that a cavity may be covered under the sealant

There is a very small possibility that an unnoticed cavity is covered by a the sealant, but the sealant would deprive the cavity of the bacteria that would make it grow so it will not get any larger.

They don’t last forever

Dental sealants last on average 10 years, because they are eventually worn down through the use of the tooth. This means they need to be reapplied around this time to make sure that they are truly protecting the tooth for bacteria.

If you have any further questions about dental sealants come in to the office or contact Dr. Payam! You can also take a look at our 5 Fun Facts About Dental Sealants Post

5 Fun Facts About Dental Sealants

1. Protect Against Cavities

Dental Sealants help protect a child’s teeth from cavities by covering the top of their tooth with a “tooth-colored” plastic that makes it difficult for bacteria to remain on a tooth. As a result of the dental sealants, the bacteria cannot attack the enamel of a child’s tooth.

2. Useful to any Child

Even if a child brushes twice a day, that does not mean that they are completely safe from developing cavities. The grooves in a tooth are a place where bacteria love to sit and attack the tooth. The average toothbrush is unable to get deep in these grooves, so the bacteria is not removed no matter how often a child brushes. Dental sealants are an extra layer of protection to make sure each tooth stays as healthy as possible.

3. Quick and Painless Process

Applying dental sealants is a relatively fast and pain-free process. First the dentist will clean the child’s tooth and apply a sticky solution so that the sealant can bind tightly to the tooth. Next, the dentist will coat the tooth with a sealant and use a light to harden it. The drying process will take under a minute and then the tooth is sealed! To get a better idea of the process, check out What are Dental Sealants?

4. Long Lasting

Dental sealants can last around 10 years depending on the brushing patterns and eating patterns of the child. That is a long time to have a highly reduced chance of tooth decay!

5. Saves Money on Future Cavities

Filling cavities can cost almost 4 times as much as purchasing dental sealants. Many dental plans also cover dental sealants. Why pay more for fillings in the future when a tooth can be protected with dental sealants now? Schedule an appointment with Dr. Payam today!

Why Are Kids Dental Visits Different?

A pediatric dentist has additional training beyond regular dental school so they are better equipped to handle the development and care of children’s teeth. A child’s teeth go through different stages of development: their first set of teeth grown in, then they fall out, and then their new set grows in. A pediatric dentist is trained to handle all these different stages of development as well as educate kids through the process.

What’s Unique About Kids Dental Visits?

Depending on the age of the child, what occurs at a dental visit may vary. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, a child should make their first dentist visit by their first birthday. This visit will focus on making sure your child’s teeth are not at risk of cavities and the dentist will be able to provide information on proper care for your child’s teeth as they grow in. Check out Age 1 Dental Visit for my information.

Around the age of 4 or 5 all of your child’s baby teeth should be in, and the visits will start to focus on making sure their teeth are healthy and clean. Also, it is very important that each child learns the proper techniques for oral care such as brushing and flossing.

Starting around 6 years old to the age of 12, your child’s baby teeth should begin falling out and their permanent teeth will begin to grow in. During this visit it will be important to see that the permanent teeth are growing in properly and that there are no complications. Once all the teeth are fully grown in regular visits will be general check ups to make sure no cavities are forming and that your child’s teeth are nice and healthy!

Why Dr. Payam?

Dr. Payam Amirsayafi believes that every kid should enjoy their dental visits! He wants every child to imagine each visit to the dentist as an adventure. He makes sure that not only your child, but also you are happy with every single visit. Make sure to schedule an appointment with us today!

How To Get Your Kid to Love the Dentist

You know it’s important to take your child to the dentist to promote good dental health, but what happens if your kid is scared of the dentist? It’s no fun for anyone when you have to drag your child kicking and screaming to the dentist. Check out our tips below to help ease your child’s fears of the dentist.

Tell your child about the visits but limit the amount of details given. Answer any questions with simple, to-the-point answers. Let the Dr. Payam answer more complex or detailed questions. He is trained to describe dental procedures and terms to your child in a friendly, non-threatening manner.
Don’t talk with your child about previous bad experiences you’ve had with the dentist.
Explain to your child the importance of good dental health and that Dr. Payam is a doctor trained to help us keep our teeth and gums happy and healthy.
Start going to the dentist with your child at an early age. This way they become familiar with the dentist and are more comfortable at each visit.
Find a fun and welcoming dental practice! At Red Apple Pediatric Dental Team we try to make every visit a fun adventure for your child. They’ll be having too much fun to be afraid! Schedule your appointment today.

A Hearty and Healthy Pasta Recipe!

Are Dental Sealants Safe? The Pro’s and Con’s

Pros and Cons of Dental Sealants