Post-Halloween Dental Tips: How to Protect Your Smile After a Night of Treats
Halloween is a fun holiday for all ages! However, as kids are eating as much candy as possible, parents are searching for tips for kids’ teeth to prevent long-term damage. Don’t be spooked! If you’re looking for oral health tips in Morrisville, our team at Pearly Whites Dental Care is here to help. Be prepared for this year’s Halloween season with these oral health tips.
Brush and Floss
The best cavity prevention we recommend is going back to basics! When it’s time for your kids to go to bed after indulging in sugary treats this Halloween, make sure they are brushing AND flossing – we all know kids skip steps sometimes. Explain to your children that sugar left behind on their teeth can cause cavities, meaning more extensive trips to the dentist.
Brush and floss alongside your kids to show that you implement the oral health tips your dentist encourages. Be sure to share the repercussions of not caring for their teeth, too. Toothaches, cavities, gum disease, and more can be prevented with basic dental care.
Use Mouthwash
Some Halloween candy can be really harmful to the teeth. Candy that is super-sticky or chewy can leave behind sugar in some tight spots. After your child brushes and flosses, make sure they are rinsing with mouthwash, too. This cavity prevention tip will decrease any remaining sugar in your child’s mouth as well as protect against plaque.
Don’t Forget to Drink Water
While out trick-or-treating, be sure to pack water for anyone eating treats throughout the evening. Why? Water helps rinse away the first layer of sugar left behind from the yummy treats. Sugar that stays on teeth for too long can begin eroding the enamel (now that’s something to be scared of). Drinking water is easy and helps with cavity prevention while you are still having an evening of fun.
Bonus Tips for Kids’ Teeth
While all traditional family dental care shouldn’t be overlooked during Halloween, here are some extra tips you can add to your parenting book:
- If your kids go a little crazy with candy, set a limit on how much candy they are allowed to have. Store the remaining treats and disburse at appropriate times.
- Don’t eat candy as a snack! To avoid how much your child’s teeth are exposed to sugar, allow them to eat candy after a meal so they won’t over-stuff themselves with candy.
- Chew sugarless gum. Believe it or not, sugarless gum helps increase saliva and neutralizes acids that can break down teeth. The ingredient to look for in gum is xylitol, so you know it is sugar-free.
Schedule Your Family Dental Care at Pearly Whites Today!
Halloween can be fun, as long as you take the proper precautions for your child’s teeth! If you’re looking for more oral health tips in Morrisville, our team at Pearly Whites Dental Care is here to help. Our family dental care practice has over 20 years of experience working with families.
If you are ready to schedule your child’s next appointment, be sure to contact us today!