Caring for your teeth during Halloween does not have to become a nightmare. The thought of having their children eating from a bag of candy for several days likely does not appeal to parents, yet there are ways to avoid the dreaded tricks that Halloween candy can potentially wreak on the teeth. These three ways to care for your teeth during Halloween from Lovett Dental Humble provides tips to enjoy the parties and trick-or-treating without the fear of cavities and damage to the teeth.
Eat Candy at Strategic Times
Choosing when to eat candy is one of the three ways to care for your teeth during Halloween. Eat candy with a meal or just shortly after a meal. The reason for this is because of the saliva increase that occurs during a meal. The saliva aids in reducing or eliminating excess acids caused by bacteria in the mouth. It helps to wash away food particles inside the mouth, including those left behind from Halloween candy.
Another reason for parents to restrict eating candy to mealtime is because family members brush their teeth shortly after eating as part of their normal oral care routine. Flossing before brushing, another important part of a good dental care routine, removes the food particles from meals and candy from between the teeth.
Timing when to eat candy is one of the three ways to care for your teeth during Halloween because the length of time that sugary foods stay on the teeth and in the mouth poses a greater risk of developing tooth decay.
Choosing Candy Wisely
Choosing which candy to eat, donate, or throw away is critical to protecting the teeth. Teach children the dangers of eating sticky or hard candy.
Remove hard candies such as lollipops or small pieces of flavored hard candy. These items potentially crack or break the teeth. If a tooth breaks or cracks, this potentially leads to the need for a filling. There is also a risk that the dentist has to perform an extraction if the tooth is severely damaged from hard candy.
Get rid of sticky candy such as taffy. Sticky candy sticks on the teeth and between the teeth, allowing for a potential increase in bacteria growth.
How does a parent choose wisely when considering which candy is a better choice? The American Dental Association considers chocolate a good option when compared to some other types of Halloween candy. Chocolate is easier to remove from the teeth and from between the teeth.
Parents should also follow the tip of choosing wisely because the same risks posed to children also apply to adults that raid their child’s trick-or-treat bag.
Share the Responsibility with Children
Sharing the responsibility of choosing which candy to keep and which candy to give away serves as a teaching tool for children. Explain the risks of eating certain candy to your children, including the fact that eating the wrong candy can possibly result in having to have emergency dental services.
Next, go through the candy with each child and ask the child if he or she should keep the candy or get rid of it. Some parents choose to donate the extra candy rather than throwing it away.
Placing responsibility on the child to help decide which candy is a risk to their teeth likely helps them to develop healthier choices.
Reach Out to Lovett Dental Humble Today
The professional staff at the Lovett Dental Humble location are here to provide for the dental care needs of your family. We provide exceptional pediatric dentistry care for your children, teeth cleaning, general dentistry care, and other oral care services for adults. Contact us at 281-441-9000 to learn more.
