Halloween is a festive time for both kids and grownups, but when it comes to trick-or-treating, the sugary indulgences can impact our children’s smiles, and not for the better. Your child can still enjoy the fun celebrations but you might want to take a few extra steps to protect their “boo”tiful pearly whites!
Cavity Prevention
We recommend that you oversee your child’s daily oral hygiene routine to make sure they are brushing and flossing properly. Routine dental checkups are also crucial, as they help us get rid of hardened plaque and spot developing problems so they can be treated early. Treat your child to routine professional fluoride treatments and dental sealants as needed. Both can help your child navigate the pitfalls of tooth decay and gum disease.
Halloween Tips To Protect Your Child’s Smile
-Limit candies that are sticky and chewy, like Skittles, Starbursts, taffy, and caramel, and stick to sugar-free candies or candies with nuts (unless they are wearing braces). Soft chocolates are a great treat since they don’t stick around on teeth, easily dissolving.
-Sugary treats bring oral acids that attack tooth enamel. Help your child flush away these damaging oral acids by offering them f plain water after eating sweets. Chewing sugar-free gum after eating sweets also helps boost saliva production for an extra “rinse”.
-Offer your child treats after their meal stimulates saliva production that washes away the acid.
–Allow your child to enjoy those Halloween treats for a specified time only, then donate the rest, for example, U.S. troops accept donations through Operation Gratitude.
-Offer creative fresh fruit platters that satisfy their sweet tooth in place of artificial sweets. Banana “ghosts” with chocolate chip eyes and big chocolate chip”mouth, “candy corn” strawberries dipped in melted and tinted white chocolate, pear and apple slices with mini marshmallow “teeth” and peeled kiwis with googly “eyes” are healthier ways to make your child smile!
-You can also offer non-candy Halloween treats like stickers, bubbles, plastic spider rings or vampire teeth, pumpkin erasers, glow-in-the-dark temporary tattoos, glow sticks, bookmarks, Halloween books, and the list goes on!
Call For Help
Our Sugarbug Dental teams in Ventura County, CA, wish your family a “fang”tastic Halloween month with lots of smiles. Our dedicated dentists, Dr. Armand Begian and associates are always eager to help your child’s growing smile thrive. You can reach us at (805) 985-2400!