A family is making cookies in kitchen

Two Teeth-Shaped Treat Recipes For Fun and Education

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Medically Reviewed By Colgate Global Scientific Communications

From school and camp to the dentist, kids learn about dental health in many places. Why not continue their education at home by making teeth-shaped cookies or apple smile treats? All you need is basic sugar cookie ingredients, a tooth-shaped cookie cutter, apples, peanut butter and marshmallows – and don't forget the extra smiles!

Celebrating a first lost tooth or just looking for new activities? Get cooking! When you bake with your kids, not only will you have a blast – you can also quiz them on teeth-health facts with simple questions such as:

  • How often should teeth be brushed?
  • What happens if you don’t brush your teeth?
  • What is flossing, and why is it important?

Although we don't want kids eating sweets regularly, a cookie now and then is okay for a special treat. For something less sugary, try the apple smile snacks. Remember: if you make sugar cookies, make sure to brush afterwards.

Teeth-Shaped Cookies

What you’ll need:
  • A sugar cookie recipe and all of the baking materials required (you can also use prepackaged sugar cookie mix or dough)
  • A tooth-shaped cookie cutter and any additional cookie-cutter related to dental health, such as a toothbrush-shaped cutter or a tube-shaped toothpaste cutter.
  • A frosting recipe (You can also use premade frosting)
Recipe basics:
  1. Follow the recipe as stated in your source – this will likely will involve making the dough then refrigerating for one to two hours.
  2. When it's ready, divide the dough into quarter portions and work with one part at a time. Keep the remaining dough chilled.
  3. Roll the dough to 1/8-inch thickness on a floured tabletop
  4. Cut with your cookie cutter(s) and place them onto baking sheets with parchment paper.
  5. Bake at 350 degrees for 11-12 minutes or until the edges of the cookies are lightly browned.
  6. Cool completely before decorating.
Decorating With Icing
  1. Create the icing using your desired recipe (or use store-bought icing).
  2. Add food coloring to the desired shade – white frosting for the teeth cookies and colorful frosting for the toothbrush cookies.
  3. Spread the frosting onto the cookie with a flat knife or pipe it using a zipper-locking bag with a tiny hole cut in the corner.
  4. Outline each cookie to give it definition. You can decorate toothbrush cookies to enhance the shape and brush bristles or put a smiley face on a tooth cookie.

Apple Smile Treat

What you’ll need:
  • Apple slices
  • Peanut butter or almond butter, depending on your child’s preference
  • Mini marshmallows
Recipe basics:
  • Start with two sliced apple wedges and spread peanut butter on each.
  • Place miniature marshmallows in a row on one wedge to look like teeth.
  • Place the other wedge on top. You now have a "toothy smile" to eat and enjoy!

Making teeth cookies or apple smile treats with your kids is a good bonding activity and engages children in dental awareness from an early age. On top of that, this project will help you start a dialogue on why teeth-brushing is essential after eating a sweet treat to prevent tooth decay.

Oral Care Center articles are reviewed by an oral health medical professional. This information is for educational purposes only. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist, physician or other qualified healthcare provider. 

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