Well, it’s late October once again. You know what that means – Halloween is right around the corner! Soon enough, you’ll see trick-or-treaters going door-to-door for sweets and other goodies. As a parent, though, you should be careful on the 31st. Your child could get dental problems if they go overboard on the treats. Luckily, your Temple dentist can help you avoid that outcome. Here are four Halloween oral health tips your child should follow for the holiday.
Only Have Candy at Mealtimes
After a night of trick-or-treating, many kids want to end Halloween with a candy binge. Still, gorging on sweets isn’t a smart move. It’ll just expose your child’s teeth to large amounts of tooth-decaying sugar.
Regarding Halloween candy, it’s better if your child only has it at meals. They’ll benefit from the extra saliva their mouth makes while eating lunch or dinner. With more of the liquid present, more candy leftovers and cavity-causing acids will get washed away.
Steer Clear of Certain Candies
When your child returns with their Halloween haul, ensure they avoid certain sweets. Some types of candy are worse for teeth than others. As such, help your kiddo steer clear of the following:
- Sticky and Gooey Candies: While tasty, caramel, gummies, and fruit snacks are some of the worst Halloween treats for oral health. They often cling to teeth, exposing your enamel to sugar for long periods.
- Hard Candies: Kids are naturally impatient, so many are tempted to bite on lollipops and jawbreakers. However, this action is risky. Biting hard candies can chip or break teeth.
Don’t Keep a Big Candy Stash
For a lot of kids, Halloween candy is like treasure – it’s something you should hoard in a big stash. That said, don’t let your little one indulge this impulse. Keeping a lot of candy around will tempt them to overindulge and make tooth decay more likely.
If you can, have your child pick their favorite candies and donate the rest. Many organizations will be happy to take your extra supply. (For example, Operation Gratitude sends the candy to troops overseas.)
Stick to Good Oral Hygiene
Even if kids restrict their candy intake, sugar can still cling to uncleaned teeth. So, have your youngster practice good oral hygiene before and after their trick-or-treating.
In particular, your child should stick to the standard oral care habits. Namely, they ought to brush their teeth twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush. They must also floss between their teeth at least once daily. Your child is also better off if they rinse often with mouthwash.
By following these Halloween oral health tips, your child’s smile will stay safe on the 31st. Therefore, remember them ahead of the big day!
About the Practice
Dr. Richard Fossum is a highly qualified dentist in Temple, TX. Having earned his DDS from the University of Texas Dental Branch – Houston, he has expertise in various dental treatments. In fact, the services he offers span preventive, cosmetic, and restorative work, as well as emergency dentistry procedures. His office is also a proud provider of Invisalign clear aligners for orthodontics. Currently, Dr. Fossum practices at his self-titled clinic and is reachable on his website and by phone at (254)-778-3900.