For many kids, Halloween is the best time of year: they knock on strangers’ doors, and they get free candy! For parents, though, the holiday comes with a few concerns. Too much candy can prove to not be good for the teeth, and children’s dental health can suffer significantly around Halloween time.
Tips for Healthy Teeth and Gums
Luckily, there are a few things you can do to ensure that your kids maintain healthy teeth even as they fill their mouths with candy.
Below are five things your dentist wants you to know that is good for the teeth this Halloween:
1. Moderate Your Children’s Intake. Chances are, your children will want to stuff themselves with as much candy as they can, but this is never a good idea. Set clear limits with your children about when and how much candy they are allowed.
2. Screen Your Children’s Candy. Your children will likely come back with a variety of candies in their Halloween bags. While some, such as chocolates, are relatively harmless to their teeth, others, like hard candies, gummies, and taffy, are especially bad for their oral hygiene. Limit your children’s consumption of candy that is particularly harmful to their teeth.
3. Time the Eating of Candy. In order to maintain healthy teeth and gums for your child, have your children eat their candy with meals or shortly thereafter. Increased saliva production during mealtimes will help cancel out the harmful acids in candy.
4. Mitigate the Damage with Good Oral Hygiene. After your children have eaten their candy, try to have them brush their teeth immediately. Maintaining good brushing and flossing habits is one of the best ways to ensure healthy teeth, even during Halloween.
5. Maintain Regular Dental Appointments. Even if you control your children’s candy intake and help them maintain good oral hygiene, it’s still essential that they visit the dentist at least twice a year for cleanings and a checkup. Regular checkups are not only good for the teeth, but they are also the only way to ensure your kids’ continued oral health.
By following these five steps, you can help your children fight off tooth decay and maintain healthy teeth and gums. If you have further concerns, be sure to talk with your dentist. At Temple Family Dentistry, we are always happy to speak with parents and help them with any questions they might have about their children’s oral health.