Kids love Halloween for all different reasons. Some can’t wait to dress up, put on makeup, or scare the guts out of whoever they see. Others want to carve pumpkins and decorate in the sweetest of ways. If your kids fall into the category of people who love festive candy treats, it’s important to review what’s smart and what’s not when it comes to Halloween dental care.
Consider a Candy Overload
This suggestion might sound crazy but hear us out: Have your kids pick their favorite candies and eat them all at one time. There are a few reasons this choice can be effective:
- One-time candy influx. Eating all that candy at one time is better for teeth because it only swamps them in one sugar bath rather than kids eating a piece here and a piece there and constantly subjecting themselves to tons of sugar. Once the raid is over, kids can brush and floss thoroughly and go about their holiday with clean teeth free of bacteria and candy particles.
- Too much equals just enough. Eating chocolate and sugar and all types of candies at the same time will get old quickly and your kids will be tired of their sweets faster than you anticipated, which can effectively deter them from overeating and getting a bellyache as well as a toothache.
Avoid Dangerous Dental Costumes
Some Halloween costumes come with tooth-related enhancements or accessories. Vampire fangs, dental makeup, gems and other sparkles are usually innocuous, but left on too long or not thoroughly cleaned off can result in damage like cracks, chips, scratches, or decay that require Halloween dental care.
Don’t Damage Dental Work
If kids overdo it on sweet stuff or bite into something hard or gummy that they shouldn’t, it is possible to break a tooth or dislodge a filling or crown. Sure, some little kids might need assistance in getting certain baby teeth to come out, but you don’t necessarily want to use Halloween candy as the impetus for this occasion. Monitor the most tooth-threatening candies and warn your kids of their dangers or forbid them entirely to avoid needing emergency Halloween dental care.
Skip the Candy
Handing out non-candy treats on Halloween wasn’t always the popular choice, but today’s kids recognize a good light-up ring or squishy toy when they see it. Investing in clever little gifts and keepsakes for the trick-or-treaters and to bribe your own kids away from eating too much Halloween candy never hurt anyone – in fact, dentists might say it keeps you from getting toothaches.
Set a Good Example for Halloween Dental Care
These suggestions for safe candy eating and dental protection on Halloween apply to adults too. Halloween comes but once a year, but you need your teeth to work properly every other day without having to fit in a restoration for a filling or crown.
If you recognize a dental problem after October 31 or want a teeth cleaning to sweep away the excess sugar, contact Red Bank Dentistry to schedule an appointment with Dr. Carole Sherrod Jewell and her dental team in Red Bank, NJ. Don’t be embarrassed about any dental issues, just get help when you need it so you avoid bigger problems down the line.
