Halloween is right around the corner, and that means lots of candy for little ones. Unfortunately, that can also mean an increase in cavities for those little smiles. It presents parents with a lot of challenges. That’s why we’ve written this guide with 7 Halloween candy tips to help your child avoid painful cavities this holiday.
1. Eat Candy with Meals
Make sure to time your Halloween candy consumption right. Eat your sweets with meals or shortly after mealtime to cut down on your risk of cavities. This is because saliva production increases while you eat. Saliva helps rinse out excess food particles and neutralize the acids in your food to decrease your risk of tooth decay.
2. Cut Back on Snacking
Snacking in general is bad for your oral health, especially when sugary candy is involved. The longer sugar stays on your teeth, the more time bacteria have to attack your tooth enamel and create cavities. Laying out a bowl of candy to snack on is a bad idea for both your diet and your dental health.
3. Avoid Sticky Candies
Sticky candy like gummies and taffy stay attached to your teeth for longer periods of time because it takes saliva a lot longer to wash them away, increasing your risk for cavities. If you’re going to consume candy, pick something like chocolate instead. Chocolate washes right off the teeth.
4. Limit Your Stash
It may be tempting to make your candy last as long as possible, but your teeth will thank you if you don’t do that. Let your child pick out their favorite candies, and consider donating the rest to the less fortunate.
5. Drink More Water
Drinking water after a meal or snack can wash away extra bits of food debris that would otherwise get left behind. Additionally, most drinking water comes with fluoride, a naturally occurring mineral that makes your teeth stronger and fights decay.
6. Chew Sugar-Free Gum
Chewing sugarless gum for about 20 minutes after a meal can stimulate saliva production, washing away pesky sugar particles. Pack a stick of sugar-free gum in your child’s lunch and remind them to chew it after eating.
7. See Your Dentist
It’s always a good time to see your dentist, especially after Halloween. If you visit before Halloween, ask about dental sealants to protect your little one’s teeth from bacteria. If you make your visit after Halloween, your child can get a professional cleaning to undo any damage that their candy consumption may have done. They can also get any potential cavities treated.
Halloween is almost here, but that doesn’t necessarily have to mean your kid will develop tooth decay. Just keep these 7 tips in mind to keep their holiday cavity-free.
About the Author
Dr. Doug Clark has more than 30 years of experience as a dentist for all ages in Superior, WI. In addition to receiving advanced training at the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies, Dr. Clark has also achieved the Children’s Dentistry Award for his work with children at the Oneida Dental Clinic. To book the next dental cleaning for your child, contact Dr. Clark’s office by clicking here or calling (715) 392-5161.