With Halloween just a few weeks away, kids and adults of all ages are preparing their Halloween costumes and are practicing their best frightening tactics. However, as a parent, nothing can seem quite as frightening as the amount of cavities your children can get by consuming all of that Halloween candy they get after a full night of trick-or-treating. By following these easy tips, you can help to reduce the likelihood your child will receive a candy induced cavity and keep your kids out of the dentist’s chair.
- Limit their Intake
“It’s like a kid in a candy store” is a saying that boasts quite true especially after your kids go trick-or-treating. With a bag or bucket full of their favorite candies, it can be hard for your little monster to limit their sugar intake. Make a rule that as soon as you get home from trick or treating, that they can pick 3-5 pieces of candy to enjoy that night and then they have to put the rest away. Once it is out of sight, it will hopefully be out of mind as well.
- Mix In Healthier Alternatives
Kids— especially growing kids— are known for eating just about anything and everything that is placed in front of them. If your kid has a hankering for their Halloween candy as soon as they get home, make it a rule that they can’t dive into that candy stash without first having a healthy snack such as apple slices or carrot sticks.
- Get them to Brush
The sooner you get your kids into the habit of brushing their teeth after they eat a sugary treat, the easier it will be to protect the against cavities. That way every time they eat some candy or a treat, they will immediately think to go into the bathroom and brush their teeth, thus eliminating the time that the sugar will have to set into their teeth and cause plaque or dental cavities.
The only thing you should be spooked about this Halloween season is the thought of the neighbor kids jumping out of the bushes to scare you. Don’t let the thought of too much candy and sugary treats get you worried about your child’s dental health.
To learn more or to schedule an appointment, contact our dental office today!
