It’s the end of October and Halloween is just around the corner. Your child will get to prance around dawning their favorite ghoul or goblin and collect buckets of candy that will be stashed away in your house for the following months. As fun as that sounds, and as much as you want your child to enjoy the holidays, you’re worried about them getting cavities from eating too many sweets. Read on for five Halloween candy tips that will keep your little one’s mouth healthy.
Avoid Certain Candies
Not all candies are made equal when it comes to maintaining your child’s oral health. Sticky, hard, and chewy sweets like Laffy Taffy and popcorn balls can attach themselves to your little one’s teeth. Their saliva will have a difficult time rinsing it away, which means that it could cause harmful oral bacteria to build up in their mouth. It’s best to stick to chocolates like Milky Ways that can be easily chewed and don’t stick around for too long.
Encourage Them To Keep Up With Their Oral Hygiene Routine
The holidays are here, which means you’ll be busy attending family gatherings, seasonal school activities, and buying gifts for all of your little ones. With all the excitement, your child may be less diligent about brushing and flossing their teeth. To keep them interested, try letting them complete their morning and nightly routine alongside you. You can also allow them to pick out their own oral hygiene products like fun toothbrushes or yummy-flavored toothpaste.
Keep Them Hydrated With Water
Because they’re more than likely going to be consuming more sugar than usual over the next few months, you’ll want to make sure they’re equipped with a full, reusable water bottle wherever they go. Keeping them hydrated can help rinse away sugar and food debris that has settled on their small pearly whites, keeping harmful substances from accumulating in their mouth.
Introduce Healthier Snack Substitutes
Since your children are sure to snack on more sweets in their spare time after Halloween, it’s a good idea to implement healthier snack substitutes whenever possible. Sliced fibrous vegetables like celery and carrots are not just great for their growing bodies, but also for their oral health. They act as small, natural toothbrushes that brush away plaque and sugar while they chew them.
Schedule Their Routine Dental Visit
By far, the best way to keep cavities and oral health problems at bay during the holidays is to schedule a visit for them with their children’s dentist. If any cavities have developed, they’ll be able to treat them before they grow and cause additional damage to their fragile mouth. They can also reignite their excitement about brushing and flossing their teeth twice a day, increasing their motivation to do this at home.
Just because these tips specifically address Halloween candy doesn’t mean they’re not nice to have in your back pocket for the upcoming holidays! With the right at-home preventive care and professional treatment from their dentist, their smiles will grow to be happy and healthy.
About the Author
Dr. Barry Isdaner and is very passionate about helping his patients achieve great oral health and a smile that they’re proud of. He works with patients of all ages and enjoys giving children the tools they need to keep their pearly whites looking great for decades to come. As a seasoned and experienced dentist, his patients always feel well cared for in his hands. For questions or to schedule your family’s routine checkups and cleanings, visit Advanced Smile Design’s website or call 215-659-3334.
