Tips & Tricks for Avoiding Tooth Decay this Halloween

October 31, 2011
Category: General
Tags: Fillings   Oral Hygiene   Kids   Holiday   Candy  

Fun costumes, pumpkin carving and trick-or-treating—kid’s love Halloween and the fun-filled festivities it entails. But when a child comes home with a bag full of candy, how can a parent help remind their kids about good oral health and cavity prevention?

Sugary candies can lead to tooth decay. When the sugars found in these treats are notremoved by brushing, bacteria in the mouth will form a colorless, sticky film called plaque. As cavity-causing organisms within plaque feed on sugar, it is turned into acid. This acid attacks tooth enamel, causing decay or better known as cavities.

With a few simple steps, kids can enjoy Halloween treats without jeopardizing their dental health. 

  • Encourage your child to eat a small amount of candy in one sitting rather than grazing on candy throughout the day.
  • Limit hard, chewy candies, such as taffy, lollipops or caramels that stick to the teeth, damage dental work and increase the period of time in which teeth are exposed to sugar.
  • Opt for soft candy that can be eaten quickly, such as chocolate.
  •  Follow candy consumption with a glass of water and thorough tooth brushing.

By paying close attention to your child’s Halloween goodies this year, you can help promote a lifetime of healthier teeth without tossing the entire bag of treats.

And of course, don’t forget to bring your child in to see your Grove dentist every six months for a cleaning and exam. This is an important part of your child’s cavity prevention! Regardless of the season, good dental health should remain an important part of your child’s daily routine.

Happy trick-or-treating!

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