Harlem Dentist Urges Kids to Eat Healthy During Summer Months

July 5, 2011 - PRLog -- As the dog days of summers approach us, it’s time for kids to kick back and relax, but it’s also a time to make sure that they take care of their health, too.

Harlem dentist Dr. Leon Merrick, who has been practicing for more than 25 years, says summer is usually a time when kids tend to eat more sweets, drink more sugary drinks and pay less attention to their teeth.

“Kids are supposed to have as much fun as possible during the summer,” Merrick says. “But between popsicles, icies, ice cream cones and sugary sodas or soft drinks, kids are so busy having fun that the teeth get neglected.  What I'm saying is that the sugar, salt, fat gets stuck on your teeth and gets inside your gums.  For many of our kids - and some adults - we don't brush or floss at least twice a day to keep this decay from creating disease in our mouths that lead to infections, and all sorts of other complications.”

Merrick urges parents to make sure their kids brush their teeth when they wake up and definitely before they go to bed.  He also offers the following helpful tips to parents:

•Add fruit and vegetables to the snack list.  Keep some fresh apples, oranges, grapes, watermelon in the refrigerator or even make a fruit salad.
• Instead of soda or soft drinks, think about getting your child a fun water bottle, load it up with ice early in the day and fill it water so he or she can drink from it throughout the day.
• Celebrate brushing teeth by going to the store to get a new tooth brush and toothpaste. Make it a family time “brushing and flossing” event in the morning and at night.

“What a great time of year,” Merrick says. “No worries and lots of play time. That’s all good. I just want all kids and their parents to take care of themselves now to avoid problems in the future.”

For more helpful tips or to interview Dr. Merrick, contact Neil Foote, Foote Communications, 214.448.3765 or neil@neilfoote.com.  Contact his office at
260 West 139th Street, New York, NY, 212.281.1283.

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Foote Communications LLC is a Dallas, TX multi-media company, specializing in public relations, website solutions, multicultural marketing and political strategy and messaging.