Halloween is fast approaching, and it's time for little ghouls and goblins to collect their treats! It's an exciting time of year, but it can also be hard for busy parents to manage their child's candy intake. Between school parties, trick-or-treating, and neighborhood events, the sweets can add up quickly. That's why your trusted team at Harlow Dental has helpful tips to help parents manage this Halloween season.
Some Tips for Successfully Managing Halloween Candy
Setting Helpful Boundaries
It can get tricky when you have an influx of candy around the house. You may even find yourself tempted to partake, but setting candy boundaries can help.
If you choose to keep the candy around, limit your child's candy intake to one piece at school and one after dinner. Store the candy in a safe place, since easily accessible candy can be tempting. Offer sweets with a meal or shortly afterward, when saliva flow is higher and helps rinse away sugar. Letting your child help set the rules can also make them more likely to follow them.
Promote Brushing and Water Intake
The approaching holiday season is a great time to amp up your child's brushing and flossing routine. Review brushing skills to ensure they brush effectively, and set a timer so they brush for the recommended two minutes. Choose a fluoride toothpaste, and consider playing a favorite song to make brushing more fun.
Have plenty of water or their water bottles on hand. Drinking water keeps them hydrated and washes away the lingering candy debris in their mouths.
Visit Your Charlotte Dentist
Halloween or the holiday season can be a great time to schedule routine care with your trusted dentist. A checkup and teeth cleaning won't hurt and can help keep your little one's smile on track. Your dentist can also spot early signs of decay and recommend preventive options, such as sealants or fluoride treatments.
Eliminate the Worst Offenders
Understanding which candies are more harmful can help you decide what your child keeps and what you get rid of. Here's a breakdown of candies:
- Safer Treat Choices — If your child gets anything sugar-free, like gum, that's a safe bet. Dark chocolate is also a safer candy choice.
- Mid-Level Treats — Snacks like milk chocolate, crackers, or pretzels are safer, but not completely great. Crackers, chips, and pretzels are starchier snacks that can stick to teeth longer than they should, giving tooth decay and cavities more time to develop. Starches also turn into sugar, which contributes to tooth decay.
- Treats to Avoid — The worst culprits are sour candies, caramels, or gummies that stick to teeth and hide in tooth crevices. These are harder to remove and can more easily contribute to tooth decay.
Switch Candy Out for Something Else
Use the "Switch Witch," like the tooth fairy, to trade your child's candy for another treat, such as a small toy or money. Many dental offices or other organizations will take candy donations. Your dentist may even trade you some dental supplies for candy. Donating can also be a meaningful way for your child to share with others, turning leftover candy into a good deed.
Understanding Tooth Decay
When you understand the mechanics of tooth decay and how it causes cavities, you can make better choices on which candies to keep and which to toss or trade out.
Sugar is the fuel for the bacteria that gather in a white, sticky film on your teeth called plaque. The bacteria eat the sugar and produce acids as a byproduct. These acids erode tooth enamel and cause cavities, or holes in your teeth that your dentist has to repair with a filling. Frequent snacking matters too, because each sugar exposure gives bacteria another chance to produce acid.
When you brush and floss your teeth twice a day, you disrupt the process that creates tooth decay and cavities (yes, you can get cavities between your teeth).
Talk with Our Team
If you have questions about tooth decay, cavities, or if it's time to schedule your child's next dental appointment, we invite you to call Harlow Dental. With three convenient locations in Charlotte, NC, we're readily available to meet your family's dental needs. We wish you and your little ones a safe, happy, and cavity-free Halloween!