Is it possible, or fun, to avoid Halloween candy altogether? No! Have your candy and eat it too – while keeping your teeth in mind by avoiding oral health challenges, like sweet treats. Halloween is a great way to teach your kiddos some oral health tips and tricks to have a safe, cavity-free Halloween holiday. Here are some of our favorite tried and true candy tips:
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- Candy Plan: Don’t go overboard with Halloween candy – create a plan ahead of time so you can have a plan surrounding all that candy coming in. Maybe you set the limit of houses you visit, or fill a smaller bag. You can also have your kids parcel out candy as “trade ins” for other, non-sugary rewards (a toy, sticker, tv time, etc.). Whatever you feel comfortable with, it’s so helpful to create rules and a plan before the Trick-or-Treating begins, so everyone knows their expectations and can enjoy the day! This is also the perfect opportunity to talk about the importance of limiting sugary treats and oral health.
- Brush Away the Sugar: Whatever amount of sugar you or your child consumes, it’s extremely important to brush and floss after sweat treats. A brand-new toothbrush and floss as a Halloween gift are a great way to get your children excited about brushing their teeth after candy. Candy can easily get stuck in-between teeth and cause tooth decay, cavities, and other oral health problems. Young children may need help with these steps.
- Avoid Super Sticky Sweets: Sticky candies, like gummies, caramels, taffys, etc., stick to your teeth more than soft candies, like chocolate. They are much harder to brush away and should be avoided.
- Timing Helps: Did you know that your mouth produces more saliva around mealtimes? Saliva is super helpful in washing away bacteria in your mouth, so planning on eating a sweet treat around a mealtime helps wash away bacteria even more. Don’t snack on candy throughout the day, but indulge in a sweet treat after a meal instead. The longer the sugar is in your mouth, the longer is can cause decay.
- Chocolate is the Best Bet: As we mentioned earlier, sticky sweet treats can cause the most damage to your teeth. Dental experts recommend chocolate for a sweet treat. “Chocolate is one of the better candies because it washes off your teeth easier than other types of candy,” Dr. Ferraz- Dougherty says from MouthHealthy.org. “Dark chocolate also has less sugar than milk chocolate.”
Get your Halloween Candy Survival Guide HERE.
It’s okay to enjoy Halloween to the fullest and enjoy some sweet treats! It’s all about dressing up, having fun, and enjoying a day away from the norm. Remember to avoid oral health challenges by brushing and flossing after enjoying your sweet treats!
Get more Tips for a Healthy Halloween.
Local dentist, Travis A. Roberts and his experienced, friendly team at Adams Dental Group offer affordable family dentistry and gentle dental care in the Kansas City, KS area. We have two locations that are conveniently located and offer appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At Adams Dental Group, we provide most dental services, from family and general dentistry to specialty procedures, including dental implants, dentures, endodontic or root canal treatment, teeth whitening, cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at our West location (913) 296-8030 to schedule an appointment.
Dr. Travis A. Roberts, DDS October 27th, 2020
Posted In: Dental Health Tips
Tags: oral health, tooth decay
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