Halloween is an exciting time for the whole family. Fall is in the air, the goblins are coming out to play and yes, lots of candy! From picking out the perfect costume to counting down the days until the kids can hit the streets to collect their candy treats, Halloween is a time for fun and excitement. The reality is, Halloween is a sugar-packed time of the year. Without the proper oral health regiment put in place, these sugary foods can have an impact on our teeth and their health.
We don’t need to fear Halloween or candy for that matter. Kids (and parents young at heart) should enjoy the treats that the love. It comes down to being aware of the impact sugar can have on our oral health and taking the necessary steps to protect our teeth this Halloween season. That’s why our team has put together a few dental tips and tricks to maintain your oral health throughout the year. By following these dental tips, parents can prevent tooth decay among their children and help our you trick-or-treaters learn good oral health habits while still enjoying those delicious snacks!
Dental Tips to Help this Halloween Season
1. Be Selective – You Don’t Need to Eat Everything: Not all Halloween candy needs to be feared. We often recommend choosing candies that can melt fast or be eaten quickly. It’s a good rule of thumb to avoid sweets that are sticky and gooey. These tend to linger on the teeth for longer periods of time and have a lasting impact on a youngster’s teeth if they don’t brush immediately after. Above all else, it’s a good idea to encourage your young goblin or monster to brush their teeth after they enjoy their favourite treats. This will lessen the time the sugar has contact with their teeth.
2. Don’t Tempt Them – Hide Excess Candy: If the Halloween candy is always lying around, it increases the likelihood a child with opt for that than anything else. Store the candy in a secret place and make eating the candy a special occasion. This can help reduce the amount of sugar intake over the weeks post-Halloween.
3. It’s Candy Time! Select a certain time of the day to enjoy the spoils of your trick-or-treating escapades. Having a set time to eat candy, you effectively reduce the amount of time the sugars are in the mouth, which decreases the chance of tooth decay and cavities. Don’t graze throughout the day. You might also want to think of using the candy as an after-dinner treat!
4. Go Healthy First: A great rule of thumb to follow (not just around Halloween) is to fill up on a healthy meal first before diving into the candy stash. This will help reduce the temptation to overdue candy consumption and reduce the amount of sugar intake.5. Set a Brushing Schedule: It’s important to brush soon after eating candy – no matter when treat time is. This is a great opportunity to talk to your children about the importance of brushing and flossing. Using “candy time” as a way to explain the benefits brushing and flossing has on their oral health. Getting them into a routine of brushing after eating candy can pay off in the long run!
Oral Health This Halloween Season
These are just a few simple and easy oral health tips and tricks to help you and your family fully enjoy the Halloween season. It’s important to remember that candy is not necessarily something to be feared. However, not maintaining a proper oral health regime can lead to serious problems. It’s very important to remember that brushing, flossing and regular dental visits during Halloween and throughout the year are actions that can ensure your teeth are healthy for years to come.
Next Steps
If you have questions about mouth guards or oral health in general, visit my website and schedule a consultation OR drop by my Davisville dental office! We can sit down to discuss your how to help you have a whiter, brighter and healthier smile.
And don’t forget to follow me on Facebook, Google Plus and Twitter for the latest dental tips, tricks and advice! Can’t wait to see you!
