Around this time every year, dentists all over the country start cringing at the huge amounts of sugar they know their patients, especially the little ones, will be eating. The dark forces of tooth decay descend upon the U.S. every October in the form of fun-sized candy bars and sticky treats. We're not curmudgeons, and we have been known to encourage a little ghastly fun on this holiday, but we know it can be hard for parents to take a stand against the onslaught of Halloween's attack on your kids' oral health.
This post is for the parents out there holding the line, trying to find a good balance between having some Halloween fun and also being health conscious. We see you health-minded parents, and we'd like to share these four tips to help you have a better Halloween for your oral health.
Rinse, Wait, then Brush after a Candy Binge
It's unlikely parents will thwart every one of their kids' attempts to eat too much candy. If this happens in your home, try to make sure your kids rinse their mouth good with water before they brush. This will help wash out acid and particles from sticky candies. Also, wait at least a half hour before brushing. Too much acid can weaken enamel, and immediately brushing after eating acidic candy can actually cause damage to your teeth.
Be Aware of Costume Risks
Some popular children's costumes require a good set of fangs or some kind of alteration to the mouth to be funny or scary. Make sure the materials and special effects of your child's costume don't pose unnecessary oral health risks.
Break Out the Sugar-Free Gum
Sugar-free gum is a wonderful accessory in any parent's toolkit, and because it helps with saliva production, it can be a great treat for the ghosts and goblins ringing your doorbell. Go on, spread some good oral health this Halloween! Many kinds of sugar-free gum are approved by the American Dental Association and come in tangy and sweet varieties to satiate anyone's sweet tooth.
Choose Chocolate over Hard Candy
If you're choosing which candy to hand out this year, we recommend dental floss! Jokes aside, if you're not ready to be that extreme with promoting good oral health, know that extremely hard candies tend to be higher in sugar content than most candy. That's because they're basically little more than artificial flavors and coloring and condensed sugar. Chocolate, while also high in sugar content, contains some calcium and antioxidants. If you're choosing between the two, chocolate is the better choice.
Thanks for Reading!
We hope these Halloween tips help you have a fun, safer Halloween. Enjoy the candy, but practice moderation and good oral hygiene afterward!
If you enjoy reading our blog, please like our Facebook page to see our newest posts.