How to Plan for a Teeth-Safe Halloween!

Is your child one of the many who will go trick or treating this Halloween? If so, you may need to do some teeth-safe planning before they head out. It’s scary how much candy children nowadays consume on Halloween night. Some people might say that it is no longer just about dressing up and receiving treats–it has now become an all out “candy war” between the neighborhood children!

Well, having said that, here are some tips for making sure your kids don’t develop any cavities this Halloween:

Keep candy portions/eating small.

Allow for some candy eating–that’s the fun of Halloween–but then keep healthy alternatives readily available!

Give them fruit or vegetables to snack on after trick or treating. For example, they can munch on some carrots, apples, cucumbers. and celery sticks.

Save candy for meal times and don’t stretch out the consumption over weeks!

Drink water.

Encourage your children to drink lots of water. This helps cleanse the mouth of sugar and food particles that can linger and feast on the enamel of growing teeth. Sugar left to fester breeds cavities. Also, water drinking will help them feel more satiated, bringing sugar cravings down.

Toss the sticky or chewy candies.

The most dangerous candies your child’s candy bag are the sticky and chewing candies that cling to the teeth and gums. These candies will stay affixed to teeth for hours, slowing eating away at the teeth enamel and leading the way for cavities and gingivitis in children.

Beware of sour candies!

Sour candies are dangerous too! Their acidic content damages the enamel of teeth. These are another category of candies you may wish to simply throw away. If you are going to allow your child to consume sour candies, be very diligent on cleaning the mouth and teeth after your child eats them.

Try chewing sugar-free gum.

Sugar–free gum can help act as a tooth/mouth cleanser after your child has sugary treats. Gum is able to grab candy bits and loose sugars while your child chews it, helping to rid the mouth of substances that can be harmful for developing teeth. Gum also has a great ability to help curb cravings for more candy.

The American Dental Association agrees that chewing sugarless gum prompts the release of saliva which can help rid the mouth of dangerous bacteria, thus helping decrease cavity risk.

Brush teeth after eating candy.

Make sure your kids brush their teeth extra well after eating candy. Brushing twice daily using a fluoridated toothpaste is important.

If your kids are too young to brush their teeth by themselves (and they don’t have any dental problems like dental cavities), then you may want to consider brushing their teeth for them after trick or treating. You can also buy a specially designed toothbrush with a small head which will be easier for the child to hold onto–just make sure it is safe for children.

Brush your children’s teeth at least twice daily (if they are old enough) throughout the year, not just on Halloween. You don’t want them to get dental cavities!

Look into joining a Halloween candy buyback program.

After Halloween, don’t let candy linger.  Consider donating your candy to a candy buyback program, donating it to troops overseas, or storing it for next year!

Create a plan that works for you and your household this Halloween so you can celebrate the season while still caring for your child’s teeth and dental health! You can definitely still eat candy and so can your kids. Just make sure you’re all taking care of the teeth during candy-heavy holidays.

Call Li’l Sunshine Smiles Dentistry today at 813-576-0200 to ask a question or to schedule an appointment.