It’s the last week of October, meaning Halloween is just a few days away! At this point, you’ve probably put up your spooky decorations, picked out costumes, and gotten ready for trick-or-treaters. However, have you prepped your child to avoid dental trauma on the 31st? You really should, as Halloween candy can cause various issues if you aren’t careful. Luckily, your dentist in Copperas Cove is here to help with some last-minute guidance. Read on to learn tips for protecting kids from oral health problems during Halloween.
Don’t Eat “Risky” Candies
Some candies are worse for teeth than others. That said, try to steer your little one away from the riskier ones.
Take sticky, chewy, or gooey candies, for instance. Whether as caramel or gummies, they tend to smear and cling to tooth surfaces. In doing so, their sugar content has more time to erode enamel and trigger things like cavities, gum disease, or worse.
Similar concerns apply to hard candies. Lollipops and jawbreakers take more time to dissolve, making your mouth more acidic. Plus, biting down on them can lead to chips or cracks in your teeth.
Limit Your Candy Intake
If possible, limit how much Halloween candy your child can eat. That way, they’ll be less exposed to enamel-eroding sugars.
One option would be to let them keep their favorite sweets while donating the rest. Some organizations, you see, donate candy to troops overseas.
You might also set a rule that your child can only eat candy at mealtimes. That way, they’ll have less time and opportunity to eat treats. Plus, the saliva they produce from their meals will help wash excess sugar from their teeth.
Practice Good Oral Hygiene
If nothing else, make sure your child practices good oral hygiene before and after Halloween night. In other words, have them brush and floss their teeth on the morning and evening of the 31st. This practice will remove plaque, bacteria, and other harmful debris from their pearly whites. Furthermore, the fluoride from toothpaste will protect your child’s teeth from sugary candies’ effects.
You don’t want your kid’s Halloween to involve an emergency dentist in Copperas Cove, right? In that case, follow the tips above to ensure their oral health stays strong.
About the Practice
Benchmark Family Dental is based in Copperas Cove, TX. As led by Dr. Daniel Caraveo, our practice seeks to give patients the best dental care experience possible. To that end, we perform preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry, as well as emergency procedures. We’re also a certified provider of Invisalign clear aligners and dental sedation services. For more information or to book a visit, you can reach us on our website or by phone at (254)-547-4866.