Halloween is an exciting holiday for adults and children alike—but it is also a scary holiday, and not because of all the skeletons, ghosts, and frightening creatures walking about, but rather, because of the lurking threat of cavities! Cavities are an absolute nuisance, and have the potential to cause several problems and great distress to one’s smile. What’s worse is that they can affect children without discretion, especially if they’re consuming tons of Halloween candy! Keep reading below for some dentist-approved tips that are certain to help you protect your little one’s pearly whites this spooky season!
Tip #1. Keep Certain Types of Candy to a Minimum
There are all kinds of candy out there that your child will probably receive while trick-or-treating, but it’s important to be aware of which candy is even more problematic than usual for children’s teeth. A good rule of thumb to keep in mind is that the longer candy stays in your child’s mouth, the more harmful it is to their teeth. This means that things like lollipops, jawbreakers, and any other type of hard candy are an issue since they’ll be in prolonged contact with your kiddo’s teeth. Additionally, sticky items like caramels, gummies, and taffy can also be problematic, especially if your child has braces. Some marginally healthier candies include milk chocolate, peanut butter cups, and sugar-free gum, so try to encourage your child to have those instead.
Tip #2. Candy Isn’t the Only Threat
It’s also important to realize that candy isn’t the only problematic thing consumed during Halloween—there are many other types of sugary and starchy treats, like pastries, chips, cupcakes, and more that can be equally sugary and therefore equally problematic. Sodas are another prominent threat—the average soda actually has more sugar than a candy bar! Have your child drink water instead; it’s the best beverage for oral health since it encourages the flow of saliva, which assists with preventing tooth decay. It can also wash away residual sugary particles left on teeth after snacking on candy.
Tip #3. Moderation Is Key
Moderating how much candy your child consumes during Halloween might seem like a no-brainer, but it’s easy for those grams of sugar to quickly add up if your kiddo is eating candy without supervision or limits. Don’t let your child continuously eat candy throughout the day, instead having them eat it in a single session—timing matters! You might also encourage them to have their candy with meals, in an effort to make them eat less candy.
Tip #4. Encourage Excellent Oral Hygiene Habits
As a parent, you’re a role model to your kiddo, and they’ll copy many of the things you do. That said, be sure you’re brushing and flossing in front of them, especially during the Halloween season! These habits are important year-round but especially if they’re going to be consuming lots of candy. Keep in mind that they should brush their teeth about half an hour after eating their candy, to give their saliva the chance to neutralize acids in the mouth.
Lastly, be sure that if you haven’t already, you’ve scheduled a routine checkup for your child! These checkups are instrumental in the prevention of oral health issues, many of which can result from eating too much Halloween candy!
About the Practice
Under the leadership of Dr. Danny Hayes and Dr. Uyen Vu, the team at Advanced Dental Concepts has proudly served the dental needs of families in the Chesterton, IN community for several years. They’re thrilled to offer a wide range of services for patients of all ages! If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to arrange a visit for your little one, feel free to contact the practice online or over the phone for additional information or assistance. Telephone: (219) 926-7595.