Halloween is right around the corner, and with it comes costumes, trick-or-treating, and… cavities? It doesn’t have to! You might worry about sugary treats affecting your children’s teeth. Sweet treats once in a while shouldn’t ruin your kids’ teeth, as long as good oral care is a priority. However, there are certain kinds of candies that are better than others and good habits to adopt during this holiday and others.
Best Candies for Cavities
In general, sugar-free treats are typically the best option when selecting candy because they don’t have the cavity causing sugar like other candy.
When sugar-free candy isn’t an option, chocolate is a great option because it melts in your mouth and is easily washed off the teeth. You can also opt for darker chocolate, which contains less sugar and is healthier than milk chocolate.
Fruit is also a great alternative to candy. While we aren’t saying to hand out apples for Halloween, fruit contains natural sugars and is a great option instead of sugary candies and sweets.
Worst Candies for Cavities
Anything that doesn’t dissolve quickly is very bad for your teeth because the bacteria in your mouth have more time to digest the sugar, which leads to cavities. This includes chewy and hard candies.
Hard candies are also risky because they can break teeth. Sour candies should also be limited or avoided because they are often very acidic, weakening tooth enamel and causing cavities.
Trick or Treating
Trick or treating happens once a year and we know there will be all different types of candies handed out, but that doesn’t mean you have to deal with cavities. While it’s best to avoid chewy, hard, and sour candies, we know that’s not always possible.
To combat the negative effects of candy, we recommend eating sweets in one sitting rather than over a period of time. It may seem better to portion candy throughout the day, but that prolongs the amount of time sugar is on the teeth and can increase the risk of cavities.
We aren’t saying you should allow your kids to eat their entire stash in one night either! Instead, it’s better to portion the candy out for your kids to eat once a day and then have them brush their teeth immediately after.
How Can Parents Encourage No Cavities on Halloween?
If you’ve decided to embrace Halloween to its fullest, you’re in good company. There are a few things you can do to prevent cavities while still enjoying the holiday sweet treats.
Model Good Behavior
The best thing you can do to prevent cavities is model the behavior you want your children to do. Children are less likely to take the necessary action unless they see their parents do it too. Let your children see you floss, use mouthwash, and brush your teeth twice a day.
When they watch you, they will see that this is a normal and necessary part of everyday life, and they will be much more likely to adopt the habit themselves. These steps are particularly important during holidays when sugar intake is increased.
Provide an Appropriate Diet
During the Halloween season, your children might be eating a lot of extra sweet treats. Altering eating habits to promote a healthier diet will help combat all the extra sugar and reduce the risk of cavities.
Avoid sugary drinks like soda, which can linger in the mouth and cause cavities. Limit other unhealthy or sugary snacks, like chips and cookies, until all the Halloween candy is gone.
Promote lots of extra fruits and vegetables and encourage well-balanced meals. Again, portioning out candy to specific times is better than allowing kids to eat candy all day long.
Promote Brushing
Brushing your teeth is a task that needs to be repeated at least twice daily. It’s important that your kids brush their teeth after they eat sweets in addition to their morning and evening routines. Select a fluoride toothpaste and an age-appropriate toothbrush for your kids.
Schedule Regular Dental Appointments
Routine dental checks are important for children of all ages. Holidays like Halloween can bring about lots of extra foods, drinks, and sweets. Keeping up with your kid’s dental checkups is a great way to help them maintain good oral health and prevent cavities.
Ideally, your kids should get a dental prophylaxis (cleaning) every six months. Scheduling an extra cleaning after Halloween or other holidays can also help ensure your kid’s teeth are clean and free from any left-over cavity-causing sugar.
Halloween is a fun holiday for kids and parents to enjoy and make memories. To protect your children’s teeth from excess sugar, opt for sugar-free treats or chocolate. Limit access to other sugary foods and drinks and be sure your kids are brushing their teeth after eating candy.
Are You Searching For A Martinsburg Area Dentist For You Or Your Family?
If you’re searching for an experienced dentist please feel free to contact us online or call our Martinsburg, West Virginia dental office directly at 304.267.6059 to schedule your appointment. We provide a wide range of general dentistry care as well as more involved dentistry services for patients throughout the Martinsburg area and look forward to you joining the Cornerstone Dental family.
