Halloween is right around the corner. For most children, this means a night of staying up past their bedtime and a free bag full of candy to snack on for at least a week! Our dentists at Dental Group of Ellisville say it’s ok to eat candy, however, parents need to monitor their child’s consumption of the sugary treats in order to stay healthy.
Use these tips to keep your oral health a priority during this Halloween season!
Make a Plan
Make sure your child doesn’t indulge in sweets all at once. Instead, manage their intake to a few pieces of candy per day. Constant snacking on sugary foods can cause plaque and tooth decay.
Choose Which Candies Are Worth It
Candies like taffy and gummy bears might be delicious, but they are soft and squishy, which means that they can stick to your teeth and take longer to remove themselves naturally. On the other hand, candies like suckers and mints are hard and can cause chipped teeth and tooth decay. These candies are also a frequent choking hazard for your child, so make sure that you monitor them while they are eating. Eating candy as a whole is not ideal for your oral health because of the amount of sugar in candy. If you or your child chooses to continue to snack on sugary candies, over time your teeth will start to decay. Instead, you can opt for sugar-free candies. This is a guilt free way to indulge in the sweeter things in life while keeping your precious pearly whites in the front of your mind. (Just be careful not to chip your tooth! — But in case you do, Dental Group of Ellisville’s got you covered!)
Drink Water!
Drinking water can help wash away some of the buildup on your teeth after you’ve just enjoyed a sweet snack. Water also contains fluoride, and fluoride is GOOD! It has been proven to prevent tooth decay by up to 40%. So drink up this Halloween season and stay hydrated.
Brush and Floss
Most importantly, don’t forget to brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day, especially after meals, for two minutes. Remember to replace your toothbrush every three months or once your bristles are frayed. A frayed toothbrush won’t effectively clean your teeth. Flossing will also help you reach places that a toothbrush can’t. When you don’t floss, you are leaving about 35% of your tooth uncleaned.
Visit Your Dentist
We recommend seeing your dentist after Halloween in order to get a thorough cleaning of your teeth and mouth. Visiting your dentist can help prevent any oncoming issues. If you would like to schedule an appointment with Dental Group of Ellisville, please contact us at (601) 477-3779.