5 Tips to Protect Your Child from Troublesome Halloween Cavities!

We all know that Halloween is known for the consumption of loads and loads of candy. While this may be a child’s dream come true, there are consequences of overindulging in sweet treats. One of them is the development of cavities. So does that mean that your child has to skip all the festivities? Your dentist says, “No.” As you continue reading, you’ll learn about 5 Halloween candy tips that will protect your little one’s oral health while allowing for a joyous evening.

The Danger of Overeating Candy

The primary issue with candy is that it’s made from simple sugars, which rapidly convert to glucose after consumption. What’s worse is that sugar is the favorite food of bacteria. Thus, when there is leftover residue from eating candy, the microorganisms gather in the area to feed. As the sugar-glucose is digested, acids are released that can lead to cavities, which are tiny holes in the enamel (the protective outer layer of the teeth).

To prevent this from happening, some simple steps need to be taken.

Tip #1 – Set Some Limits

If you’re going to let your child eat candy on Halloween night, the easiest way to defend his or her teeth against the attacks of oral bacteria is to set some limits. Before the evening gets underway, you and your child can come to an agreement on how much candy can be eaten. This is also a great time to explain the threat that excess sugar consumption poses to his or her oral health.

Tip #2 – Encourage More Water Drinking

While drinking the right amount of water is essential for staying hydrated, it offers other benefits. One of them is that it helps to flush the mouth of debris left behind after eating. Thus, it’s a great idea to keep extra water on-hand for your child to drink on Halloween night.

Tip #3 – Step Up the Dental Hygiene

Dental hygiene should always be a priority, but it’s especially important around Halloween. By encouraging your child to brush and floss at least two times a day, his or her teeth can be protected from cavity development.

Tip #4 – Keep Some Gum Handy

Chewing gum between snacks helps to stimulate saliva production, which is a natural way to bathe the mouth to remove leftover candy debris.

Tip #5 – Schedule a Dental Visit

Either before Halloween or immediately after, it’s a great time to schedule a dental visit. The following processes will help to ensure your child’s teeth and gums are protected:

• Cleaning – A professional teeth cleaning will remove plaque and tartar that have gathered, which will help to prevent cavity development.
• Examination – The dentist will carefully assess the condition of your child’s teeth and gums to make sure there are no issues on the horizon.
• Consultation – The visit ends with you and your child sitting down with the dentist to go over the results of the examination. If any problems were identified, a plan of action can be designed to address them.

When it comes to celebrating Halloween, you don’t have to settle for poor oral health for your little one. By acting upon what you’ve learned here, it can be a safe and happy time of the year!

About the Author

Dr. J. Peter St. Clair is a graduate of Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, which launched him into a dental career that has spanned over two decades. He helps to keep kids’ teeth and gums healthy by providing preventive care at his private practice, and he can be reached for more information through his website.