Halloween is a fun time for kids – dressing up in a fun costume and walking to door-to-door to receive candy almost seems too good to be true. Halloween can sometimes be frustrating for parents who work hard to keep their kids’ teeth healthy all year, only to end up with a pillowcase full of candy and a child who is more than excited to dive right into it.
Image courtesy of bigjom at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
But there are ways to keep those smiles healthy, even with all that Halloween sugar.
Set some ground rules: It’s easy for kids to see their big bag of candy and want to start bingeing. But it’s always a good idea to ration the candy to avoid a sugar overload, cavities, and – of course – an upset tummy. This also makes the candy last longer, so their loot doesn’t run out quickly, leaving them wishing for more.
Balance treats with healthy snacks: Since fruits and vegetables can help clean teeth and neutralize harmful bacteria, it’s important to ensure that kids are eating these healthy snacks in between the not-so-healthy Halloween candy.
Keep up dental health routine: If your children already have a dental health routine in place, this shouldn’t be difficult – it’s important make sure that routine continues so that the sugars will be brushed away and they won’t sit on the teeth overnight. While brushing is effective for little ones, flossing is also important to clean between their teeth and avoid gum disease.
Remove any harmful candy: If you know your child will bite down too hard on solid candies, or that certain pieces will get stuck in their teeth, it’s best to remove them before they cause any problems. The great thing about Halloween candy is that there will be enough that your kids won’t even notice anything is missing. (And if you save these candies for yourself, we’ll never tell!)
Don’t forget to keep up with your children’s dentist appointments, just to make sure they’re healthy and clean. Visit our Markham dental office to keep those smiles bright. Have a safe and happy Halloween!