Halloween is right around the corner, and while our team at Dr. Gabhart’s office wants your family to have a great time celebrating, we also want your teeth to stay healthy. Here are a few tips to make sure your Halloween is fun and safe for the whole family:
- Sort the Candy:
After a night full of trick-or-treating, most kids can’t wait to get home and begin their sugar consumption. Although no candy is great for your kiddo’s teeth, we think every kid (and adult) deserves a few pieces to celebrate the occasion. Before going to town, though, we do encourage parents to separate out the worst of the worst types of sweets. Make a pile of the chewy/sticky candies (taffy, gummies, etc.), sour candies which can break down enamel, and hard candies, which can chip a tooth. As tasty as these treats may be, they can cause more harm than they are worth. Toss them and enjoy the leftover pile.
- Have a Limit:
I know you can already hear the complaints now, but moderation is the key to a healthy Halloween. Our team at Dr. Gabhart’s office encourages parents to allow their children only a handful of candies at a time. This will prevent too much sugary build up and possible tooth damage.
- Time it Right
Try to make sure your family enjoys their Halloween candy shortly after mealtime. Saliva production increases during meals, which helps your mouth wash out acids produced by bacteria and rinse away food particles.
- Brush those Teeth:
Of course this is an important habit to have every night of the week, but especially on Halloween night. The best time for teeth-brushing is immediately following the candy consumption. Make sure get this chore done early before your little one’s hit their inevitable sugar crash.
- Have a Plan for Leftovers
We know it is tempting to keep Halloween candy around for the days and weeks following, but your teeth will thank you if you limit your stash. Let your family pick their favorites and get rid of the rest. Make sure this plan is in place before the sweets come rolling in.
Don’t hesitate to contact our offices for more tips on oral health or to schedule an appointment. Our team at Dr. Gabhart’s office hopes you have a fun-filled and safe Halloween!