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Halloween is a fun event for the whole family! From dressing up in costumes, to trick-or-treating with friends, to all the candy – it makes sense why kids (and adults) can look forward to it each fall. But all that candy can cause lasting issues, like tooth pain or cavities.
While parents can’t completely avoid all the sugary treats, they can help kids enjoy the sweet treats of the season with a few simple tips to keep those developing teeth as healthy as possible for many Halloweens to come.
Set expectations. Before Halloween, decide how much candy your kids can eat on Halloween, and what their daily allotment will be afterwards. For instance, dentists recommend between 2-4 pieces of candy on Halloween, then 1-2 pieces each day after Halloween.
Limit sticky, sour, and hard candies. Sticky candies like taffy, caramel, and gummy candies are hard
to remove from teeth, even with brushing and flossing. Sour candies are extra acidic, which means they are quicker to break down enamel (the protective layer around teeth that helps prevent cavities). Hard candies like lollipops, stay in the mouth for an extended period of time, coating teeth with sugar. The sugar eventually turns into acid, which can easily cause damage to teeth and gums.
Provide sweet treats only after a meal or healthy snack. During mealtime, the teeth have increased saliva, which will help rinse away candy and the sugar and acids they produce. When kids snack on candy throughout the day, their teeth don’t get a break and have trouble fighting off sugar and preventing damage to teeth. Before trick-or-treating this year, make sure your child eats dinner or a healthy snack before consuming candy. Eating healthy meals help clean teeth and introduce minerals, vitamins, and bacteria to the mouth and body to keep your child better equipped to fight off damage.
Drink lots of water and keep up a regular oral health routine. Drinking lots of water helps wash away food particles, keeps the body hydrated, and balances the pH levels in the mouth. This, combined with brushing twice a day and flossing once a day, keeps teeth and the mouth healthy and able to maintain less damage, better breath, and a proud smile.
And don’t forget cleanings at the dentist twice a year! It takes a long time for a dental issue to become painful. By visiting the dentist twice each year, tooth or gum issues can be addressed quicker and more proactively before they cause pain to your child.
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