In case you missed our last giveaway, we're doing another one! Simply "Like" us on FaceBook and write a review about your experience with Dr. Radin, and you will be automatically entered to win this fabulous gift basket:

Now through December, you could win this basket containing gift cards to Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa! What a wonderful way to pamper yourself during the upcoming holiday season. Be sure to enter today!

Did You Know?

Our office is open to new patients! Please refer your family and friends and receive movie tickets as our thanks!

Find Out Who Won Our FaceBook Contest!

Thanks to everyone who "Liked" us on FaceBook and posted a comment about their experiences with Dr. Radin. We are so grateful for the kind words, and that so many of you participated! Everyone who wrote a comment was automatically entered in a drawing to win a gift basket, which included movie tickets, a gift card for dinner AND a gift card to Target.

Congratulations to Robyn Frank, who was our lucky winner! Robyn brought along her 5 year-old daughter, Hayden, and was thrilled to receive the basket full of prizes from Dr. Radin!

Meet the Winner of Our Gift Basket Giveaway!

Congratulations to

4 year-old James Genuardi (pictured with Dr. Radin), who was the lucky winner of our August gift basket giveaway! This basket was filled with back-to-school items that had James all ready to begin the school year with his new gear!

If you're scheduled to come in our office in October, take a peek at what your child could win in this month's Basket Giveaway:

This month's basket is loaded with games galore - perfect for the sports enthusiast! Your child will enjoy bowling, portable table tennis, and of course, we had to include a football to kick-off the fall season.

Good luck!

Q&A with

Dr. Sheryl Radin

In each issue, we will feature a frequently-asked question to Dr. Radin and her staff.

"Is ok to use benzocaine for teething?"

"The FDA is encouraging parents and caregivers NOT to use topical pain relievers for teething pain that are available over the counter because some of them can be harmful. Topical pain relievers that are rubbed on the gums are not necessary or even useful because they wash out of the baby's mouth within minutes.

"To help alleviate discomfort, try placing a wet washcloth in a plastic bag and chill it in the freezer for an hour. When you remove the washcloth from the bag, your child will enjoy munching on it, since the fabric massages ridges in the gums and the cold numbs the pain. If your baby rejects cold items, chewing on a room-temperature teether may do the trick. Some teethers even vibrate. If one type doesn't work for your child, consider trying another.

Or give this strategy a go: Rub your baby's gums with a clean finger until the friction makes a squeaky sound. Not only will the pressure feel good, your baby will probably love the sound your finger makes.

"During the first few years of your child's life, all 20 baby teeth will push through the gums and most children will have their full set of these teeth in place by age 3. As soon as your child's first tooth appears, it's time to schedule a dental visit. The American Dental Association recommends that the first dental visit take place within six months after the first tooth appears, but no later than a child's first birthday. Don't wait for them to start school or until there's an emergency. Get your child comfortable today with good mouth healthy habits."

Have a question for Dr. Radin for next month's issue? Please email your question to:

news@growingsmilespa.com.

Spread the word about

Growing Smiles!

When we think of fall we think of the weather getting cooler, the fall harvest, and leaves changing color. Best of all, it's a wonderful time to get outside and explore nature with your child. We gathered some craft ideas to allow your kids to be creative this season. Celebrate the changing colors and weather with these Easy Fall Craft Ideas.

You may have heard apples being referred to as "nature's toothbrush," and for good reason. They're a good snack or lunch choice for children because of its fibrous texture. Although not a substitute for brushing and flossing, eating an apple can help keep your kids' teeth clean, especially while at school. The Many Health Benefits of Apples for Kids will give you even more reasons to make this a daily part of your child's diet.

It's that time of year again - Halloween! Filled with sweets and treats, and of course, the cute and crafty costumes, what's not to love? Though Halloween comes once a year, the cavities it can leave behind can stay a lot longer. Not to worry because this can be a great time to teach your children good oral health habits for life, without depriving them of Halloween treats (think moderation). Here are Tricks for Dealing with Halloween Treats so you can help your child have healthy teeth without sacrificing any of the fun!

We've talked about teething these past few issues, and have had questions about using topical anesthetics, such as benzocaine. But is benzocaine safe for little ones? Find out my answer by clicking here.

Our first FaceBook basket contest was a huge success and I want to thank everyone who took the time to share their experiences with Growing Smiles. (In case you missed it, we're running another FaceBook contest right now! Click here for details!) Don't forget to check out the winner of our in-office monthly basket prize, and be sure to see what goodies what we're giving away this month.

Happy fall!

Sincerely,

Dr. Sheryl Radin and Staff at

Growing Smiles in Floral Vale

Easy Fall Craft Ideas

Ready for some fun and easy arts and crafts ideas? Many of the supplies can be found right outside your door and/or at your local craft store. Let's get started!

Fall Leaves Candle Jar

This fall, add a little warmth to your home with an easy Fall Leaves Candle Jar that you can decoupage with all the beautiful colorful leaves. A fun, inexpensive Mod Podge craft that is easy enough for little ones to help create. This is also a perfect gift idea for a special grandparent, teacher, friend, or relative. Or, use it as at a centerpiece at your Thanksgiving table.

Frankenstein Lantern
Make this quick and easy glowing Frankenstein lantern from a recycled milk jug that your youngster can carry with them as they go trick-or-treating. The glow sticks make them easy to spot in a crowd of kids and the fact that it's Frankenstein will invoke smiles from kids and adults alike!

Baked Apple Chips

Now that you've read about the many health benefits of apples for kids, how about trying some DIY apple chips? These are a really fun snack for kids to make because they can "help" you sprinkle the sugar and cinnamon on the apples. And, they will love having these in their lunch boxes. Think of the novelty - "Look, I made an apple chip!"

Tricks for Dealing with Halloween Treats

First, we don't want you to deny your children the Halloween experience. That can send the entirely wrong message -- deprivation -- and make candy seem even more irresistible, leading to other problems. They may end up sneaking sweets or eating too much candy once they're out on their own. Instead, let them have the joy of Halloween in all its sticky goodness and the experience of going to a party or trick-or-treating.

After your children get back from trick-or-treating or a party, go through their bags of Halloween candy together. Tell them to each pick the 10 or so (whatever number you decide, based on factors such as age) treats they want the most.

Get the unpicked treats out of sight. You can donate them to a food bank or freeze them if you can't bear to throw them out.

This can also be a good time to teach (or remind) children that it isn't just excess sugar that can lead to cavities. Snacks such as pretzels, with starches that stay in the mouth longer, can also lead to cavities, as can fruit juices.

Letting children help decide what is a reasonable amount of candy to keep has benefits beyond good oral health. The message isn't "candy is bad," but that candy and other sweets, in excess, can lead to cavities. Children learn two important lessons:

How to control their diets
That what they eat relates to oral health, not just physical health

Preventing Cavities in Children: Set a Treat Time

With your child, set a time of day to eat Halloween candy. This ritual "treat time" may last long after Halloween and help promote healthy thinking about treats:

Children learn that eating sweets shouldn't be an all-day feast. Moderation is key.
Knowing they have a specific sweet time can help make children less inclined to think about eating sweets at other times of the day.

Children's Oral Health: Set Up a Teeth Brushing Schedule

No matter when treat time is, it's crucial to brush soon after. If it is nighttime, for example, brushing and flossing teeth before bed will help sweep away the recent sweets. Fluoride mouth rinses for kids also help prevent tooth decay, according to the American Dental Association.

Until a child is 7 or 8 years old, a parent should help with teeth brushing, not simply supervise. Even after age 8, parents should supervise brushing. That includes friendly reminders to older children to brush and floss until they get to high school, when it should be a habit.

Source: WebMD

The Many Health Benefits of Apples for Kids

When it comes to your children, an apple a day just might keep the doctor away. Apples are loaded with essential vitamins and minerals to keep your little ones healthy. They are relatively cheap when purchased in season and they're versatile. Most children enjoy apples, so give your kids a nutritious and delicious snack that will keep them healthy now and into adulthood.

Healthy Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates provide children with the energy they need to work and play. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends carbohydrate sources that contain dietary fiber and no added sugars making apples an excellent choice. Apples contain the same amount of fiber as a bowl of bran cereal and probably appeal to your child's taste buds a little bit more. This is one-fifth the recommended amount of dietary fiber, according to the University of Pittsburgh's Office of Child Development. Fiber boosts your child's energy and keeps him feeling full for longer.

Boron

Apples contain the trace mineral boron. Boron is essential to your child because it helps harden his bones. Strong bones aid in preventing osteoporosis later in life, according to the University of Pittsburgh. Medline Plus states boron is needed for building muscle and improving cognitive skills and muscle coordination.

Pectin

Apples give your child a healthy dose of pectin. Pectin is a soluble fiber that assists your child in digesting foods more easily and is useful in treating diarrhea. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center states pectin may also be useful in preventing cancer and high cholesterol, which will reduce your child's future risk for heart disease.

Vitamin C

One medium apple contains 14 percent of the Dietary Reference Intake for vitamin C. You need vitamin C every day because your body doesn't store it. It's used for growth, tissue repair and to make collagen. Collagen is a protein your child relies on to build skin, cartilage, ligaments, tendons and blood vessels. Vitamin C heals wounds and keeps your child's bones and teeth healthy and strong. The University of Maryland Medical Center states vitamin C may help prevent high blood pressure, gallbladder disease, cancer, stroke and hardening of the arteries.

Important Tips

To avoid pesticides, buy organic apples or purchase them from local farmers and inquire about their use of pesticides. Washing them doesn't remove all the chemicals. If you can't buy organic, remove the skin for young children who are more easily affected by pesticides than adults.

Source: Livestrong

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