During the Halloween season, there’s probably one thing on the forefront of your child’s mind: sugar, sugar, and more sugar. As a parent, you may naturally be wondering how you can keep their teeth healthy and decay-free with cavities looming around every corner. For a few helpful tips on how to prevent cavities this Halloween, keep reading!
#1. Talk to Your Child’s Dentist About Dental Sealants
In short, dentistry is all about prevention. Dental sealants are designed to provide your child’s teeth with an additional layer of protection against sugar and bacteria, decreasing your chances of developing tooth decay in the process. So, if your child’s first molars have come in but they haven’t yet gotten dental sealants, talk to their dentist!
#2. Be Selective with the Candy Your Child Eats
Sugary treats are never tooth-friendly, of course. However, there are some candies that are worse than others, like the ones with sticky caramel or tough toffee. Alternatives that are mostly chocolate, like Hershey’s Kisses, are great because they are delicious, sweet, and can easily be rinsed from your child’s mouth. So, encourage them to indulge in Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Kit Kats, and chocolate bars over jawbreakers, lollipops, and Snickers.
#3. Remember That Timing Matters
In short, saliva production is the highest during mealtimes. Therefore, it’s a good idea to offer your child a piece of candy alongside their dinner instead of separately. Once they’re done indulging, have them drink some water and complete their oral hygiene routine to prevent the sugary residue from sticking to their teeth and gums.
#4. Make Sure They Brush Their Teeth Consistently
Although you can’t keep an eye on your little one at all times, like while they are at school, you can make sure they are following a solid oral hygiene regimen at home. Throughout spooky season (and the rest of the year, of course), make sure that they use a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste to brush their teeth for a full two minutes twice a day.
#5. Limit Added Sugar in Their Meals and Drinks
One of the best ways to prevent tooth decay is by ensuring the rest of your child’s diet is low in added sugar. Filling their plate with lean protein, filling carbs, healthy fats, and cooked vegetables is a great place to start. Also, make sure they drink water, not soda, sports drinks, and fruit juices.
#6. Schedule Their Biannual Checkup and Cleaning
Has it been more than six months since your child’s last checkup and cleaning? Then now is the time to schedule it! These appointments do much more than just catch cavities in the early stages. They also remove stubborn plaque and tartar while cleaning the hard-to-reach areas of their mouth, which helps prevent tooth decay from developing in the future.
While cavities are certainly a concern around this time of year, your child won’t have to have a candy-free Halloween for the sake of their oral health. Just keep the above tips in mind to help keep their teeth and gums happy and healthy!
About the Practice
Our talented team at Simply Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics is proud to have a pediatric dentist and orthodontist on-staff. As a result, we’ll have all of your child’s dental needs covered, from routine checkups to teeth-straightening braces! If you want to learn more about how to keep your little one’s smile decay-free or you’d like to schedule an appointment, don’t hesitate to visit our website or call (978) 612-6222.