Frightened of Cavities? Try Following These 5 Halloween Candy Tips

For many families, Halloween means an evening of spooky fun, but once you get back home from trick-or-treating you’ll have a new horror to face: trying to protect your children from cavities after they just built up a stockpile of candy. This might seem difficult, but luckily your dentist can offer 5 Halloween candy tips that can help make sure those treats don’t ultimately lead to a dental emergency.

1. Sort Through Your Stash

What kind of candy did your children bring home? Some treats, like chocolate, aren’t as harmful for your pearly whites because the sugar doesn’t stay in your mouth for very long. On the other hand, treats that prolong sugar exposure (such as taffy that tends to stick to the teeth) tend to pose a higher risk for dental problems. There are other dangers you need to keep in mind as well. Chewing on hard candy could break your teeth, and sour, acidic treats will weaken your enamel. Be very selective on what you let your children keep. You can send extra candy to charity.

2. Discourage Snacking

A little candy once in a while shouldn’t be a problem, but eating a lot throughout the day could easily lead to tooth decay. Pay attention to your children’s snacking habits, and make sure they don’t visit the candy bowl too often. In general, it’s better to save those treats for after dinner, when the mouth tends to produce more cleansing saliva that will help cancel out the acids that create cavities.

3. Create a Healthy Diet

You can help mitigate the damage caused by the sugar your children consume by giving them plenty of tooth-friendly foods. Crisp, crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples and broccoli can act as natural toothbrushes, helping to remove food particles and bacteria while they’re being chewed. Cheese, low-fat yogurt and other dairy products contain calcium that promotes stronger teeth.

4. Give Your Children Sugarless Gum as a Treat

Letting your little ones chew on some sugarless gum for about 20 minutes after a meal will increase their saliva flow and help decrease the risk of tooth decay. It can make a great alternative to other kinds of candy.

5. Make Sure They’re Brushing Well

Your children should be brushing at least twice a day. Make sure that you’re replacing their toothbrushes every three or four months; if the bristles are frayed, they won’t do a very good job of cleaning.

Of course, there’s only so much you can do on your own. Talk to your dentist about the current state of your child’s oral health; if your little one already has a cavity or is at a higher risk for decay, their dentist  can provide the preventive treatment and protection they need. Remember: it’s okay for the whole family to have fun on Halloween, but smile safety should always be one of your top priorities as a parent!

About the Author

Dr. Ukti Phandis enjoys all kinds of dentistry, especially when she can help Wethersfield families protect their smiles and keep them healthy for years to come. She takes a genuine and compassionate approach that will ensure younger patients have a positive experience. If you have concerns about cavities this Halloween, you can make an appointment at her practice, the Wethersfield Dental Group, by visiting her website or calling (860) 400-3007.