Easter Sunday is just two weeks away, which means you’re likely trying to brainstorm how you’re going to design your child’s Easter basket and what you will include in it. While the occasional sweet isn’t going to harm their smile, if you load their basket up with sticky treats that they’ll be snacking on for a month, it could lead to cavities. Read on for some creative small gift ideas for your child this Easter that will be just as exciting as candy, but that won’t lead to a trip to the pediatric dentist!
Easter Treats Children Should Avoid
You might want to think twice about including some of the Easter candy classics in your child’s basket, like sticky jelly beans and Peeps. Especially chewy sweets have a tendency to cling to the teeth, exposing your child’s pearly whites to bacteria-attracting sugar throughout the day, eventually leading to cavities. Here are some sweets you’ll want to exclude from your child’s tooth-friendly Easter basket this year and why:
- Jelly Beans: A big bag of jelly beans will make your favorite smile light up, but these are made of pure sugar and food dye, which are less-than-good for your favorite smile. Plus, because they’re soft and chewy, they’re bound to become lodged in the crevices of teeth or even dislodge a filling or two.
- Peeps: Marshmallow candies like Peeps aren’t much different from jelly beans in the fact that they’re virtually pure sugar and incredibly sticky, making them cling to teeth.
- Hard Candies & Jawbreakers:Suckers, jawbreakers, and other hard candies can put your child at a greater risk of accidentally chipping a tooth!
Non-Candy Substitutions for Your Child’s Easter Basket
Show your child that there’s much more to be excited about than candy! You can create either a themed basket based on their favorite cartoon character or make one that’s made especially with them in mind. Here are some helpful ideas for parents looking into minimizing the candy they put in their child’s Easter basket this year:
- Slime: Goopy slime can be hours of entertainment for some children, doesn’t leave a mess, and is all the rage!
- Lego Sets: Building block companies like Lego have fun, smaller sets that make perfect additions to any Easter basket.
- Pocket-Sized Squishmallows: They’re adorable, two-inch versions of regular-sized Squishmallow stuffed animals and are especially great for kids who already have a collection going.
- Fuzzy Socks or Slippers: If your child or teen loves to cuddle up and relax in the house, a pair of fuzzy bunny socks or slippers would help them get extra comfortable!
There’s a slew of non-candy gifts out there that can get your child excited for the arrival of the Easter Bunny without causing you to book an unexpected dental visit because of a toothache. Opting for these exciting and comfortable gifts can put your mind at-ease that you will be doing your part to keep your favorite smile cavity-free.
About the Author
At Brush Pediatric Dentistry, our team is led by five phenomenal pediatric dentists, who all just happen to be mothers themselves! They’re dedicated to providing attentive, knowledgeable dentistry to children as young as infants and as old as 18 years old, as well as being a helpful resource for parents. To schedule an appointment with one of our highly qualified experts, visit our website or call 630-504-2223.