Feeling 100% confident about your healthcare providers is nice. Especially when it comes to the doctors and healthcare professionals that treat your kids. Well, you can walk into Kids Mile High with a skip in your step: as your pediatric dentist in the Denver area, we offer you the assurance you need that your kiddos’ smiles are in good hands.
How? Let’s start with the fact that all our doctors are board certified. Yes, that’s right! Each of our pediatric dentists — Dr. Paddy, Dr. Roger, and Dr. Meredith — is a board-certified pediatric dentist. And if your child needs early orthodontics, braces, or Invisalign®, you can rest easy knowing Dr. Scheer is a board certified orthodontist.
So what does being board certified mean for a pediatric dentist?
Simply put, being American board certified is the benchmark standard for excellence in dental care. Being a board-certified pediatric dentist means keeping up-to-date on the latest knowledge, proven, modern techniques, and being able to apply this expertise to treating patients.
How do you become a board certified pediatric dentist?
Board certification is a voluntary extra step in a dentist’s professional development. In other words, when a person looks into how to become a pediatric dentist, board certification isn’t a requirement. It’s possible to practice pediatric dentistry without being board certified.
But consider this: if you think about how long it takes to become a pediatric dentist, adding board certification is a definite sign you’re really going the extra mile for your patients. And who doesn’t want to take their kids to a pediatric dentist like that?
To become board certified, your Kids Mile High pediatric dentists successfully passed rigorous exams with the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. And it doesn’t end there: Dr. Paddy, Dr. Roger, and Dr. Meredith must each maintain their status as a board-certified pediatric dentist by ensuring at least 15 hours of continuing education every year. Every 10 years, your Kids Mile High board certified pediatric dentist must also take a recertification exam.
How about being a board-certified orthodontist?
As mentioned earlier, not only do your Denver pediatric dentists at Kids Mile High hold board certifications, but so does Dr. Scheer, our orthodontist. As a dental specialist in orthodontics, Dr. Scheer is board certified not through the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, but through the American Board of Orthodontists (AMO).
Fun fact: Only 1 in 3 orthodontists in America are board certified through the AMO.
Becoming a board certified orthodontist is voluntary and orthodontists like Dr. Scheer must successfully pass AMO’s stringent exams to achieve board certification. Considering it takes 5-10 years to become an American board-certified orthodontist, getting the designation is a big feat. And like his pediatric dentist colleagues, Dr. Scheer has to take a recertification exam every 10 years to maintain his status.
What does it mean to have a board certified orthodontist looking after your child’s teeth? You can know that your kid receives the highest level of orthodontics, informed by knowledge of the latest orthodontic techniques, technology, and patient care.
Your board certified team in Denver
Four board certified doctors under one roof! Amazing. That’s what you get when your kids come to Kids Mile High for their oral health needs. So if you’re a Denver family and you’ve been thinking, “I need to find the best pediatric dentist near me,” or you’re looking for a star orthodontist, we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re concerned about your kids’ teeth health or wondering about braces, you can trust our board certified doctors to take excellent care of your kiddo’s smile.
Get in touch with us to find out more about our top-notch, award-winning service. Or visit us in-person to say hello at our offices in Englewood, Central Park, or Thornton, CO. You’ll find a friendly atmosphere that makes expert dental and orthodontic care fun, too.
There’s always something to celebrate at Kids Mile High Pediatric Dentistry. But February is especially fun since it’s National Children’s Dental Health Month by the American Dental Association (ADA). To mark the occasion, the Denver-area pediatric dentists want to share four ideas for celebrating this month’s focus on kids’ dental health.
Pick Out Fresh New Dental Supplies
The Kids Mile High Pediatric Dentistry team suggests kids change their toothbrush every 3-4 months. And if the bristles are fraying, that’s a definite sign for a new one. Join in on National Children’s Dental Health Month by getting a new kids’ toothbrush to get young ones extra excited about brushing their teeth. And let them choose their own kid-sized toothbrush — just make sure it’s a soft-bristled one.
Pair a new toothbrush with a new kid-friendly fluoride toothpaste… and don’t forget the dental floss! Kid-friendly floss picks make for easier flossing and water flossers are fun and gentle yet effective.
Use Apps and Music To Level Up The Brushing Fun
A bit of entertainment makes at-home oral care for kids more enticing. Play favorite music through Brush DJ to make two minutes of brushing flash by, or use a tooth-brushing app like Chomper Chums or the Disney Magic Timer to turn oral care into an interactive activity.
Make The Next (Or First!) Checkup Appointment
Kids should see the dentist every six months. If that half-year mark is coming up, now’s a good time to make the next appointment. And how about a baby’s first dental visit? The American Association of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a child’s first visit happen by their first birthday — or within six months of the first tooth erupting. A first visit sets kids up for good oral habits from the get-go and allows dentists to spot any potential dental or orthodontic issues.
Check Out Activities From National Children’s Dental Health Month
The ADA has downloadable activity sheets for home or school. Older kids might like the word games, while younger kids can track their brushing or color the coloring sheet. Dentists, healthcare providers, and teachers can dive into the Program Planning Guide for further oral-care promoting activities.
About Kids Mile High Pediatric Dentistry
Kids Mile High Pediatric Dentistry is an award-winning kids dentist that’s all about offering top-notch pediatric dentistry that’s also fun. Their state-of-the-art offices in Thornton, Central Park, and Englewood, CO are cheerful, colorful, and designed with young patients in mind. From prevention to orthodontics, Kids Mile High Pediatric Dentistry offers everything a family needs to stay on top of their children’s oral care.
You’re at the dentist with your little one and the dentist shows you their x-rays. Typically, pediatric dentists like your Kids Mile High doctors will use x-rays to show you where decay may be present, if your child is congenitally missing teeth, or where impacted teeth may be hiding. It’s helpful to see those things on an x-ray since you can’t always see them with the naked eye.
But have you ever wondered what exactly you’re looking at in terms of tooth anatomy? It’s fairly obvious on a dental x-ray that teeth have different layers and are differently shaped. But if you’ve ever wanted to know more, here’s a primer on everything you should know.
Let’s start our tooth anatomy lesson with identifying the parts of a tooth. Every one of your child’s teeth — both their baby and permanent teeth — is composed of the same materials. And baby tooth anatomy and adult tooth anatomy are the same, too.
These are the parts of a tooth from the visible part moving into the gums. Every tooth has a:
Crown: the part you can see above the gumline
Neck: the part at the gumline between the crown and the root
Root: the part you can’t see that sits inside your gums.
And from the outside layer in, here are the parts of a tooth and the function of each:
Enamel:
This is the outermost layer of your child’s tooth, the part you can see. Enamel is made up of hard, calcified tissue and protects the dentin of the teeth. It takes the burnt of biting and chewing forces, the wear and tear of eating.
Now, you might be surprised to learn that enamel only covers the visible part of every tooth — the crown. The outermost layer of each tooth that’s below the gumline and secured into the gums is called cementum (we’ll talk about that shortly).
Enamel is essentially white in color so if your kiddo’s teeth look a little yellow, this could be because you’re seeing through to their dentin. Fun fact: enamel on baby teeth is thinner than on adult teeth! So in certain lights, your child’s enamel can become a little transparent and you can actually see through it to the yellow dentin underneath.
And did you know? Enamel, just like hair, doesn’t contain any living cells. So it can’t repair on its own if damaged from tooth decay or wear. But a dentist like Dr. Paddy, Dr. Roger, or Dr. Meredith can treat your little one’s enamel to strengthen and protect it from further damage. Like with dental sealants.
Cementum:
This is the outermost layer in the anatomy of a tooth that you can’t see. It’s a hard, calcified connective tissue covering the tooth root below the gumline. As names of teeth go, this one’s easy to remember since “cementum” sounds a little like what it does — it attaches the tooth to the periodontal ligament of the gums. In other words, the cementum layer is the part of your child’s teeth that helps “cement” them to the gums.
Dentin:
If you were to look at a tooth anatomy diagram, the next layer in from enamel and cementum is dentin. It’s a bit softer than enamel and is made up of tiny, microscopic hollow tubules with fluid inside. This fluid has the all-important job of helping transmit senses to the nerves inside the pulp. So when your child eats a popsicle too fast and their teeth hurt, it’s dentin who delivers the news to the nerves… who then send the message to the brain saying, “Woah, that’s cold!”
Pulp:
The innermost part of a tooth is called the pulp. It’s the soft tissue at the center of a tooth and is made up of tissue, nerve endings, and blood vessels. Think of the pulp as a command center for each tooth: this part of the tooth is responsible for telling your brain when something you eat is too hot, too cold, or too sweet for your teeth. And very important, the pulp provides nourishment to keep your tooth healthy and alive.
And that’s it, the parts of a tooth and what they do: the enamel, cementum, dentin, and pulp. But wait a minute, what about where the teeth live? Let’s talk about that next.
Tooth anatomy: what’s around your tooth
It’s fairly common knowledge that your teeth sit in what’s called your gums. But that whole support system is much more complex than you might think!
Gums:
Gums are the soft tissue that cover and protect your child’s teeth roots. Cool fact about gums? They hold all your child’s baby teeth right from the beginning. Yes, all 20 of your little one’s primary teeth are hanging out inside the gums right from birth — fully formed and waiting to erupt at the right times. In fact, primary teeth start to form at five weeks’ gestation so they’re ready to go when your baby’s born!
The technical word for gums is “gingiva,” which might sound familiar if you’ve heard of “gingivitis.” The latter is a mild gum disease you definitely don’t want your child to get because it can be painful or cause bleeding. And you want to treat it right away so it doesn’t get worse. Since the gums sit between teeth and your child’s jawbone, severe gum disease can affect both teeth and bone, leading to bone loss, teeth getting loose, or even falling out.
Periodontal Ligaments:
Located inside the gums, periodontal ligaments are collagenous connective tissue fibers that connect your child’s tooth roots to their socket in the jawbone. If your child has orthodontic treatment in the future, periodontal ligaments are part of the teeth system that stretch, helping teeth shift while still keeping them securely in your gums as they move.
Alveolar bone:
This is the fancy name for the part of your jaw that surrounds all your teeth roots. It’s the part of your child’s jawbone that’s touching their teeth’s roots.
The different types and names of teeth
Now that you know all about tooth anatomy, how about the different types of teeth? For starters, our teeth come in different shapes and sizes, each corresponding to their function.
How many teeth does a child have? Your child’s primary teeth come as a set of 20 teeth, with the same set of 10 teeth in the upper and lower arches. Each of your little one’s jaws has:
4 incisors
2 canines
4 molars
Adult teeth are a bit different. In contrast to how many baby teeth you have, permanent teeth number at 32, with 16 teeth in each of the arches:
8 incisors
4 canines (cuspids)
8 premolars (bicuspids)
12 molars (including 4 wisdom teeth)
Incisors:
Located at the front of the mouth, incisors are shaped like small chisels, with sharp edges to help you bite into food and separate it. You typically use your incisors when you want to bite off a small, manageable piece from something large like an apple, sandwich, or piece of pizza.
For kids, incisors are the first teeth to erupt. They’re your child’s cute first teeth that you ooh and aahh over, appearing when your baby is about 6 months old. And no doubt, they’re your introduction to the world of teething! Later on when your kiddo is about 6 to 8 years old, you can expect their primary incisors to fall out and their adult ones to appear.
Canine teeth:
As far as names of teeth go, this one’s pretty descriptive of their look and position in the mouth. Reminiscent of Fido’s fang-like teeth, our canine teeth sit next to our incisors on either side — two canines on each of the top and bottom arches. They’re sharp and pointy, meant for tearing food.
Baby canines come in when your little one is around 16-20 months, starting with the upper ones. Adult canines erupt in the opposite order: the lower ones come in first around age nine, then the upper ones by the time your child is 11 or 12.
Premolars:
Now this is where we start to have different numbers of teeth between primary teeth and permanent teeth.Baby teeth don’t technically include premolars, only molars. Adult teeth include two pairs of premolars that sit beside the canine teeth on the upper and lower arches, for a total of eight premolars. They erupt when your child is about 10 years old. Premolars are bigger and squarer than canines and incisors with a flat, ridged surface for crushing and grinding your food so you can swallow it.
Molars:
The back of your mouth holds your molars. And when it comes to types of teeth, we can safely say molars are the biggest and strongest of all your teeth. Molars, like premolars, are shaped for crushing and grinding food into pieces that are easier to swallow.
Baby teeth consist of 8 molars, while adult teeth have 12. What’s unique about adult molars is that the last four that should sit at the very back of the mouth take a long time to fully erupt. Called “wisdom teeth,” they show up between 17-25 years old, when you’re “older and wiser.”
But sometimes they don’t come in at all. If your dental arches don’t have room for them, your wisdom teeth are likely impacted, meaning your erupted teeth are blocking their path. Oftentimes, your dentist will remove your wisdom teeth if they’re stuck in your gums.
Baby teeth versus permanent teeth
We’ve covered the main differences between baby teeth and permanent teeth pretty well. But let’s recap three biggies:
Baby teeth eventually fall out, adult teeth are permanent.
How many baby teeth? There’s 20. Permanent teeth: 32.
We only have premolars with our adult teeth, not with our baby teeth.
Bottom Line:
We say teeth are pretty amazing and a super important part of our bodies. And knowing more about them can inspire you to take better care of them — whether your little one’s baby teeth, or the adult teeth that will soon take their place.
If you’re looking for even more information about your kids’ teeth or have specific questions about their teeth, your Denver-area pediatric dentists are here to help.
Contact us today for an appointment at our Englewood, Thornton, or Central Park, CO office.
At Kids Mile High, we practice pediatric dentistry that goes all out when it comes to caring for our patients’ teeth. And we’re humbled to announce that our Denver-area dental industry peers have recognized our efforts: we were voted as a 2022 Top Dentist in 5280 magazine’s annual “Best of 5280.” High fives as one of the best pediatric dentists in Denver!
Are you thinking about getting braces for your child, or is your kiddo already on her way to a new smile? One of the first things the parents of our Denver area orthodontic patients ask is, “How will braces change my child’s life?” For starters, braces will improve your child’s bite, oral health and self-confidence. But there are also a few changes she’ll need to make along the way, such as avoiding certain foods that could damage the hardware.
Fortunately, there are tons of braces-friendly food, so it shouldn’t be a huge adjustment. Even eating out is totally possible with braces! If you’re looking for a place to eat in Denver with braces, look no further. Read on for Kids Mile High’s ultimate braces-friendly food guide to the best restaurants in Denver, Thornton, and Englewood.
Foods to Avoid with Braces
First things first, let’s start with a little refresher on what foods to eat with braces and what foods to avoid. While it can be a bit of a bummer to be told what to eat, we’re here to assure you (and your kids) that eating with braces can be just as enjoyable as without. You’ll just need to follow a few hard-and-fast rules to keep your child’s teeth safe and healthy.
Basically, you’ll want to avoid anything hard, crunchy, chewy, sticky or any foods you have to bite into. Here’s a list of foods to avoid with braces and why:
Hard/crunchy foods: Popcorn, ice, chips or hard candies could potentially break your child’s brackets, which has the potential of delaying progress.
Chewy foods: Dense bread, like bagels or pizza crust, can get stuck in braces, making it more difficult to brush and floss effectively.
Sticky foods: Sticky items like caramels, candy and bubblegum are off-limits if your child has braces for obvious reasons. Not only do they get stuck in the brackets and wires, but these treats can also pull the brackets off your child’s teeth. And of course, the sugar itself isn’t good for developing mouths!
Foods you bite into: Biting into things like apples, corn-on-the-cob, or carrots are dangerous for your child’s hardware, so it’s best to avoid them until the braces come off.
The most important thing to remember about eating with braces is that you need to be extra diligent about oral health care. The brackets and wires create lots of extra little spaces for plaque and bacteria to hide, so your child will need to brush and floss after every snack and meal to avoid harmful build-up.
Where to Eat with Braces in Englewood, Thornton and Denver
Okay, now to the fun part! Let’s talk about all the delicious foods you can eat with braces in the Denver area. While eating out with braces can take a little extra forethought, it doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are our favorite restaurants in Denver, Englewood and Thornton for anyone — with or without braces
Undici Ristorante Italiano – 1200 E Hampden Ave, Englewood, CO – Italian food is one of the best things to eat with braces for many reasons: it’s delicious, it’s usually soft enough for even sensitive teeth, and everyone loves pasta! Undici has some of the best food in Englewood, serving up classic Italian dishes like calamari, spaghetti and meatballs, and tiramisu. The best part? All of the above are perfectly safe for diners with braces, so there’s no need to compromise. Undici is currently open for dine-in and takeout.
Garibaldi Mexican Bistro – 3298 S Broadway B, Englewood, CO – For a casual dining experience that even kiddos with braces will love, Garibaldi is the spot. It truly doesn’t get more authentic than this for real-deal Mexican eats in the heart of Englewood. If you’re feeling adventurous, try the chicken mole enchiladas or the daily quesadilla special. Mexican food is an ideal braces-friendly cuisine, as long as you stick to soft tortillas, not the crunchy kind. And be sure to cut everything into bite-sized pieces to guarantee your child’s braces stay safe! Garibaldi is currently open for takeout and delivery.
Doug’s Diner – 4243 E 136th Ave #6918, Thornton, CO – Everyone’s favorite diner in Thornton doubles as the perfect place to eat with braces. This neighborhood gem dishes up American classics like omelettes, hamburgers and sandwiches. Kids with braces can still eat at Doug’s, as long as they cut their food into bite-sized pieces or stick to soft menu items like the many delicious omelettes available. Doug’s Diner is currently open for dine-in and takeout.
Four Friends Kitchen – 2893 Roslyn St, Denver, CO – This Southern-inspired eatery is a fantastic place to eat out in Denver with braces. Located in Central Park, Four Friends was created by, you guessed it, four friends! So you know it’ll be a friendly restaurant for the whole family. For your braces-clad kiddos, stick to menu items like grits, waffles and mac-n-cheese. Four Friends is currently open for dine-in, takeout and delivery.
Ace Eat Serve – 501 E 17th Ave, Denver, CO – This has got to be one of the coolest restaurants in Denver, whether you have braces or not. With a menu full of unique Asian-inspired dishes and a dozen ping pong tables (yes, really), you and your kids are guaranteed to have a great time. Most things on the menu are safe for braces, including rice bowls, noodle bowls, bao buns, and especially the peanut butter Thai rolled ice cream (just watch out for those crunchy peanuts!). As long as you avoid any tough meats like the crispy beef, you should be in the clear. Ace Eat Serve is currently open for dine-in, takeout and delivery — and ping pong!
Did we miss one of your favorite local restaurants? We’d love to hear all about it at your next appointment with Kids Mile High. Contact us today to book.
As you know, the Stapleton neighborhood was recently renamed Central Park following a unanimous vote in mid-August. The name change came as a response to the growing Black Lives Matter movement and the Kids Mile High team is proud to follow suit.
Even though our northeast Denver practice has a new name, you can still expect the same fantastic service you’ve come to love at Kids Mile High. As Central Park pediatric dentists, our number one goal is to make dentistry … well, fun! We know that might sound like a tall order, but if you’ve visited our Englewood, Thornton or Central Park pediatric dentistry locations, you know we deliver.
Our kid-friendly offices were designed with our patients’ comfort and enjoyment in mind. They’re bright, engaging, interactive and downright awesome. When you walk in the door, get a high-five from Dr. Paddy while showing off your skills on the in-office putting green. Admire Dr. Roger’s Mickey Mouse shoes or peek inside at the aquatic life in the 250-gallon fish tank. Once you experience the exceptional pediatric dental services in our relaxed, cheerful environment, you’ll never look at going to the dentist the same again!
Aside from our interactive offices and fun approach to pediatric dentistry, Kids Mile High offers only the best in kids’ dental care. We use state-of-the-art technology to prevent, diagnose and treat your child’s oral health concerns. Using preventive dentistry and orthodontic intervention when necessary, we stop serious problems before they start and can tackle even the most complex issues with ease.
Dr. Paddy, Dr. Roger and Dr. Owens are experts in creating healthy smiles for patients from infancy through adolescence. As Central Park’s pediatric dentistry specialists, they’re committed to helping children develop amazing oral health habits for life. Together, the Kids Mile High team shares a mission to create a fun, positive dental experience for kids and parents alike.
Join us in celebrating the new name of our Denver location. Better yet, come check out the office for yourself! Contact us to book an appointment at Kids Mile High Central Park today.
The Kids Mile High team is beyond excited to say that it’s officially summer! With social distancing still in effect, this year is surely going to look a little different than summers’ past, but we can’t wait to enjoy all our favorite summer family activities in Denver. We may need to adapt how we do things, but farmers’ markets, family hikes and camping trips are all safe with the proper precautions in place. Need some ideas for (almost) free things to do with kids in Denver and beyond this summer? Read on for the annual list from your Englewood, Central Park and Thornton pediatric dentists.
Is there a kid out there who doesn’t love dinosaurs? We don’t think so! Fortunately, Dinosaur Ridge is open — with a few new socially distant protocols, of course. Let your kiddos discover their inner archeologist by exploring the exhibits at this National Natural Landmark. There’s a small fee to enter the park and participate in a walking tour. Choose from a full or half guided tour for $6-10 per person, or fly solo and download the audio tour to your phone for just $6. However you choose to experience Dinosaur Ridge, we’re sure the whole family will love it.
Everyone’s favorite summer family night out is back as movie goers flock to parks across the city to catch a free, outdoor flick. Grab the kids, pack a blanket and some snacks, and settle in for a fun family activity in Denver your little ones will always remember. Check out the full listing of outdoor movies in Denver, Central Park and beyond to make sure you don’t miss your favorites. Many outdoor movies are currently operating as drive-ins to keep everyone safe, so be sure to check the appropriate websites for updates.
Our idea of a perfect summer morning is strolling through the farmers’ market, picking up fresh produce and seeing all the artisan goods on display. And we’re lucky to have many farmers’ markets in Denver and the surrounding area. One of the best (and biggest) is Cherry Creek Fresh Market, taking place every Saturday, Wednesday and occasionally on Sundays at Cherry Creek Shopping Center. It’s the perfect place to teach your kids about the value of supporting local growers and businesses. You could even let them pick out the goodies for tonight’s dinner! After all, we’re all cooking at home more than usual these days. Why not give your kiddos the opportunity to be involved? Admission and parking for the market is free. Check out the market’s current COVID-19 protocols before you go.
Get your art fix — virtual style — with the Art District on Santa Fe’s First Friday Art Walk. Usually located in Denver’s local art hub in the heart of downtown, the art walk has gone virtual for the season. It takes place on (you guessed it) the first Friday of each month and is one of the best free, kid-friendly activities in Denver! Featuring art from over 30 galleries, artist studios and restaurants, the First Friday Art Walk is an art lover’s dream. Shows start at 5pm on Facebook.
Have a Backyard Camp-Out
You don’t have to go anywhere to enjoy everything that summer in Denver has to offer. You can simply pitch a tent in your own backyard and have a family camp-out! If you have a fire pit, roast up some hot dogs and be sure to save room for s’mores. No campfire? No problem. Throw some burgers on the BBQ and try this baked s’mores recipe. When the sun goes down, gather around the fire or a flashlight and share ghost stories. You’ll feel like you’re camping in the great outdoors without leaving the comfort of home. Of course, if you want to do some real camping, there are plenty of family friendly campsites near Denver. Just be prepared to drive for an hour or more.
Did you know there are plenty of family friendly hiking trails less than an hour’s drive from Denver? Now you do and we recommend you hit the trails, stat! Hiking is one of the best things to do with kids in Denver this summer. Not only does it get you and your kids active — it’s an opportunity to teach them all about the beauty of nature. Not to mention that it’s easy to maintain a safe social distance when you’re in the forest! In just 30 minutes from downtown, you can get to Bear Creek Trail at Lair o’ the Bear Park, or the Lookout Mountain Hiking Trail, for easy kid-friendly hikes. A little further out, you can explore the castle ruins at Mount Falcon (even if you have a stroller!). Whether you’re beginners or seasoned hikers, there’s a trail near Denver with your name on it.
What are your favorite summer family activities in Denver? We’d love to hear all about your summer adventures at your next visit! Book your next appointment with Kids Mile High today.
We’re so excited that our doors are finally open again and we can welcome our Englewood, Central Park and Thornton pediatric patients back into our office. We’ve missed you over the past few weeks, but we’ve managed to find ways to keep ourselves busy. One of our favorite things to do during self-isolation? Family baking!
The team at Kids Mile High has been making the most of our time at home, trying fun new recipes that are simple enough for kids to make (with adult supervision, of course). Even though banana bread is basically the official baked good of quarantine, there are so many other kid-friendly baking recipes you can make together. The best part is you probably already have everything you need in the pantry, so there’s no need to make unnecessary trips to the grocery store.
Whether you’re still isolating at home or just want to introduce your kids to the art of baking, here are five super simple baking recipes for kids.
Everyone’s Favorite: Chocolate Brownies
There’s nothing better than a gooey chocolate brownie, am I right? They’re a crowd pleaser for kids and adults alike, and it turns out that they’re incredibly easy to make. With just eight ingredients you likely have on hand already, you can make delicious, chocolatey brownies the whole family will love.
Here’s what you need: bittersweet chocolate chips, unsalted butter, eggs, sugar, vanilla, baking powder, salt and all purpose flour. All you have to do is melt the chocolate and butter together, then add the rest of the ingredients to make a thick batter. Then bake at 350°F for 25 minutes and you’re good to go! Get the full easy brownie recipe here.
The Classic Baking Treat: Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ready to make the chewiest, gooiest chocolate chip cookies of all time? All you need are nine simple pantry staples. It might sound like a lot but once you read the list, you’ll realize you already have everything you need. These chocolate chip cookies are also egg-free, so they’re truly a pantry-only treat!
Here’s the list of ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda, sea salt, chocolate chips, brown sugar, white sugar, coconut or olive oil, and water. You could easily sub in whatever kind of flour, sugar and oil you have at home. Let the kids mix up the ingredients and then all you have to do is pop them in the oven. In about 15 minutes, you’ll have the best chocolate chip cookies you’ve ever had. Read the full kid-friendly chocolate chip cookie recipe and get baking!
The Easiest, Healthiest, Tastiest One-Bowl Banana Bread
No list of quarantine baking ideas would be complete without a delicious banana bread! This one requires just a handful of ingredients and only one bowl to make. Just throw everything into one bowl and mix it up to create a batter. Then pour into a parchment-lined, 9×5-inch baking dish and bake for at least an hour. You’ll know it’s ready when the crust becomes a golden brown and begins to crack.
Using pantry items like bananas, oats, maple syrup, sugar and more, you can make kid-friendly (and naturally gluten free) banana bread in no time. Get the full healthy banana bread recipe from Minimalist Baker (and if you’re missing an ingredient or two, read the comments below the post for suggestions on substitutions!).
Kid-Approved Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars
Every kid’s favorite sandwich just got an even tastier makeover. If you’ve got flour, oats, sugar, salt, baking soda, peanut butter, butter and jam on hand, you’ve got yourself the fixings for one of the best baking recipes for kids. These chewy peanut butter and jelly bars have a crumbly crust on the top and bottom that sandwiches a thick layer of strawberry jam. These bars look so delicious we’re willing to bet your kiddos will be asking for them again and again. Check out the full kid-friendly baking recipe and get ready to see your kiddos smile.
Nutritious (and Delicious) Trail Mix Cookies
Well, you knew we had to include at least one healthy baking recipe for kids. We are pediatric dentists, after all. Fortunately, you don’t have to sacrifice taste for nutrition with these yummy trail mix cookies. Peanut butter, maple syrup, salt, vanilla extract, baking soda and trail mix come together for a super healthy-yet-tasty treat that even kids will love. Does your child have a peanut allergy? Simple swap out the peanut butter for any other nut or seed butter (like almond butter or tahini). This healthy cookie recipe for kids is perfect for breakfasts, picnics or as an on-the-go snack for family walks. Trust us, they’ll be a hit.
Baking is not only a super fun family activity, it can also be educational for your youngsters. They’ll learn all about fractions and measurements, and discover the magic of watching a bowl of ingredients transform into delicious baked goods. Baking is truly one of the most fun family activities for children and parents to enjoy together. What have you been baking over the last few months? Be sure to let us know at your next appointment with Kids Mile High.
We’re super excited to welcome you back to the office starting Monday, May 4th, however, to continue to ensure a safe and healthy environment for both our patients and team, we’ve made the following changes to our policies and protocols while we adjust to this “new normal.”
As always, we appreciate your understanding and support, and we look forward to seeing all of your smiling faces again in the weeks to come!
Changes we’ve made:
When visiting the office for an appointment, both patient and parent must wear masks. (If you have them)
We will be asking parents to limit siblings coming to appointments when possible.
We will ask a series of screening questions upon arrival, such as travel, symptoms, etc.
We will also be taking temperatures of all staff as they enter the practice for work each morning and patients and parents at check-in.
We will be opening at a 50% capacity to abide by the social distancing requirements and will be adding sneeze guards to our front office stations.
Staff will now be wearing surgical hair bonnets and N95 masks with additional eye shields.
We have purchased medical-grade air fresheners to circulate the air in the treatment rooms.
We have removed toys, books and magazines from the reception area, and the video game systems will be turned off.
The coffee/tea stations have been removed, but we are happy to get patients a beverage if desired.
We will be delegating “family areas” so patients do not co-mingle in the reception area.
The toy stations for patient prizes will now be restricted to staff disbursement.
We are diligently working on developing electronic forms to minimize staff/patient exposure with paper forms.
If patients have dental needs, but the parent/patient has flu-like symptoms, we will do a screening by phone and ask them to upload photos of the problem via our website portal set up for patients.
The medical building we are located in has also done their part by bringing in a professional sanitizing crew to sanitize the common areas.
In regards to scheduling, every effort has been made to contact patients that require schedule changes, and we will be reaching out again to get them back on schedule. However, if you have not been contacted, please give the office a call to get those appointments scheduled.
We will continue to update our patients through our website, social media, and email announcements. When calling, please update your email address with our practice to ensure you get all of our updates and go to our Facebook page to see the latest news. We will also be extending office hours as necessary to accommodate patient needs and assist them in maximizing their insurance.
So what day of self-isolation are you and your family on now? For the team at Kids Mile High, it’s been a few weeks since we had to close our doors due to the current COVID-19 crisis. We really miss seeing all our patients’ smiling faces, but we also appreciate this rare opportunity to spend extra time at home with our families. That said, it can take some time to adjust to having your kids home all day, every day. Finding creative, fun, engaging activities can be easier said than done.
As your Englewood, Central Park and Thornton pediatric dentists, we care about more than your children’s oral health. We want to make sure they’re happy, healthy and thriving in all aspects of their lives. That’s why we put together this list of fun, kid-friendly art projects that you can do at home. You probably already have everything you need on hand. Ready to help your kiddos release their inner artist? Check out these awesome art ideas for kids.
Create a Blow Paint Monster
Whether you’ve got toddlers at home or fifth graders, this is a fun art project for kids of all ages. Blow painting is super easy (as long as you teach your kiddos to blow instead of suck the paint through the straw!) and lets your kids show off their creative side. To create your very own blow paint monster, all you need is watered down paint, a container and spoon for each color, large sheets of paper, straws and a permanent marker.
First, use the marker to draw (or have your child draw) a monster’s face on the page, making sure to leave enough space around your monster. Then spoon a few drops of your chosen color of paint onto where you want your monster’s hair to be. Now the fun part: grab your straw and start to blow on the paint. The paint will go wild, swirling and twirling on the page, to create a wacky, crazy hair-do for your monster. When your child is happy with his or her creation, lay it flat to dry. And then make another one (or two, or three…).
Tip: To avoid accidentally ingesting any paint, we recommend using food coloring and water instead of real paint.
Make Your Own Paintbrushes from Nature
Want to elevate your kids’ at-home art projects? All you need is a little touch of nature. Take your kids for a walk outside and encourage them to grab some sticks, pinecones, evergreen leaves, or whatever they can find. Maybe you’re fortunate enough to have beautiful trees right in your own backyard! The sticks will become the handle for your natural paintbrush and the leaves will become the bristles. Layer the leaves around the end of the stick to create a good-sized brush, and then secure using a bit of string. All you need now is some paint and a canvas. Set your child up with a large sheet of paper, a few color options, and let them loose. You’ll be amazed at how something as simple as leaves and twigs can create such beautiful art.
Grow a Paper Flower Garden
Now that spring has finally sprung, what better way to entertain your kids at home than by creating a beautiful flower garden? A paper flower garden, that is. This simple, fun craft for kids only requires a few supplies. Here’s what you need: regular printer paper, colored paper, straws (preferably green ones!), scissors, a glue stick and clear tape.
Start by cutting a circle out of colored paper for the center of your flower. Then use a different color to cut strips of paper and glue them into loops. Then glue the loops to one side of the circle, and voila: you have flower petals. Then glue the straw to the center of your flower to create a stem and secure it with tape. And that’s it! Make a few more flowers using different color combinations until you’ve got a pretty garden. Read these detailed instructions for this fun paper flower craft for helpful tips.
Get Creative with Painted Rocks
Looking for a super easy art project for kids that also encourages them to get outside? Painted rocks are the perfect solution. Send your kids on a rock hunt for the smoothest, shiniest rocks they can find. Big rocks, small rocks, medium-sized rocks — anything goes! Once they’ve gathered up enough rocks of various sizes, it’s time to get painting. Small rocks could become ladybugs or bumblebees. Bigger rocks could turn into turtles, crazy patterns or anything your little ones can imagine. After the painted rocks have had a chance to dry, you could display them throughout your garden to give your yard an artsy boost, or share them with the community by dropping a few “Hello, stay safe” rocks on the side of the road when you take your walk for the day. (Take care not to put in the street which could create a hazard)
There’s a lot going on and we’re all adjusting to a new normal right now, and it can be tough to keep your kids busy when they’re at home full time. Try to remember that while the days are long, the years are incredibly short. So let’s all enjoy this extra time with our kids while we have it and create fun, beautiful art projects together. Before you know it, life will be back to normal. At Kids Mile High, we’re already looking forward to seeing you.
Dr. Paddy, Dr. Roger, Dr. Meredith and Dr. Scheer are on a mission to give your child the absolute best dental and orthodontic care using the most up-to-date techniques and modern equipment. Read more
