Trick or Treat: How to Not Ruin Your Teeth This Halloween
Trick-or-treating is a seriously the most fun. What could be better than free candy around every door? But, what about keeping a child’s pearly whites healthy despite all of the treats they just filled their bags with?
Here are a few tips to help you have fun during Halloween while maintaining good oral hygiene:
Know the boundaries your child needs
Some kids are naturally organized and want to savor their candy by spacing it out instead of engulfing it as soon as they get back home. If this sounds like your child, you may not need to set super strict boundaries for them. But you may need to keep an eye on that stash.
In other cases, it may be necessary to control when they can eat their candy. Set the candy somewhere out of reach, and allow them to eat some when you feel it’s OK and not a complete sugar overload.
Swish with water
Tap water works a sort of miracle on teeth thanks to the presence of fluoride, which is known for strengthening teeth and preventing cavities. Have them drink tap water while eating their candy and chocolate. Don’t forget to rinse! Swishing tap water after eating some sugary goodness will help to clean up some of the sugar left behind on the teeth.
Brush… and then brush again
If you choose to set some boundaries and keep the candy out of reach, you can always take it one step further. Make a deal with your kids that after they eat some of their candy, they’ll brush their teeth right afterward.
It’s important to supervise their brushing while the candy stash still exists. Make sure they brush, floss, and use a fluoride mouthwash to really prevent cavities from forming.
Enjoy the holiday
Trick-or-treating is a huge part of childhood. And, even though candy has a bad rap, moderation is key. Don’t let the anxiety of keeping your kids away from the sugar ruin the fun of Halloween. Let them enjoy a piece of candy or two. You just need to remember to take lots of pictures of them in their fabulous costumes; it’s your right as a parent!
Halloween is such a fun holiday to celebrate, and there are always ways to protect your teeth while you celebrate. We’ll be more than happy to answer any questions you have about taking precautions to keep your teeth healthy! Give us a call at (303) 759-5652.
