Halloween is one of the best nights of the year for young children. They get to dress up like their favorite cartoon character or superhero, and go door to door or attend community events where people give them truckloads of candy just for looking adorable.
Sounds great, doesn’t it?
The only problem with Halloween is that, if your kids aren’t careful, the candy they love so much can wreak havoc on their teeth. From hard candy that can crack their teeth to sugars that can lead to cavities and tooth decay, candy poses a real problem for children (and adults…listen up, mom and dad).
While you want your children to enjoy Halloween night and have a great time enjoying their treats in the days to follow, here are a few tips to ensure that you keep your child’s mouth healthy during this festive season:
1: Make sure your kids develop a healthy relationship with candy and treats
While it’s normal and healthy to indulge in a treat from time to time, it’s important that your child understands that candy (just like most other things in life) should only be eaten in moderation.
Obviously, it’s not always easy to reason with a young child, which is why it’s equally important that you set a good example for your children by practicing what you preach and limiting your own intake of candy and treats.
You do not want your child to grow up thinking that food should be used for anything other than fuel for the body or a small indulgence from time to time.
2: Make sure your children brush their teeth thoroughly before going to bed
While it’s always important for your child to brush their teeth before bed, it’s especially important after they’ve been eating sugary candy.
It’s a good idea to brush your teeth alongside your child for several nights following Halloween to make sure they are doing a good job of fighting cavities and tooth decay.
3: Floss twice a day to avoid any food particles getting lodged between teeth
Sugary foods that “hide” between teeth are one of the leading causes of tooth decay and cavities in children. While many people think that flossing is optional and only for adults, that simply isn’t the case.
Teach your child good flossing habits so it becomes ingrained in them from an early age.
4: Limit the amount of candy that your child eats per sitting
Children have short memories, so limiting the amount of candy your child eats on the days following Halloween is a good strategy to ensuring they consume less in the following weeks.
Eventually, life will return back to normal (after all, Christmas is just around the corner), and your child will likely forget all about their Halloween candy.
5: Teach your children the consequences of poor dental hygiene
The bottom line is this: Halloween is a fun holiday that should be enjoyed, but it’s important to not let your children go overboard and indulge too much.
Children need to understand the consequences of poor dental hygiene. They shouldn’t be scared of sugary foods. Instead, it is important for them to understand the negative effects that sugary foods can have on their oral health and overall well-being.
Time for a dental cleaning after Halloween?
If you know it’s time for your child to see the dentist (especially after Halloween), then please give us a call today! We provide pediatric dental and orthodontic services to help your child grow with a happy, healthy smile.
We have two locations (Babylon Dental Care at Great South Bay and Babylon Dental Care at Gateway Plaza) and would love to meet you and your family.
