29 Oct Knock Knock: It’s Tooth Decay! The Importance Protecting Teeth from Sugar
Halloween is a fun holiday, especially for children who try to collect as much candy as possible. While they eat their way through their stash, their parents start worrying about the next dentist visit. Protecting kids’ teeth from too much sugar is important, but don’t worry—there’s no need to dress up as a wet blanket. Here’s how to keep your kids’ teeth healthy on Halloween, without ruining their fun.
Halloween’s Effects on Tooth Decay
Technically it’s not Halloween Night that is the problem, it is the stash of candy and children consuming excess sugar over the next several days or weeks. Typically children take this hoard and hide it, consuming several pieces every day until it’s finally gone. Kids who keep candy in their own rooms might even be sneaking some after brushing their teeth for the night.
The problem is that sugar feeds plaque. And as plaque builds up, it starts to degrade the tooth enamel. Eating sugary candy encourages plaque buildup and increases the chances of developing cavities. And since plaque can build up very quickly, it’s important to make sure your kids are not leaving sugar in their mouths overnight.
Three Ways to Keep Your Kids’ Teeth Healthy This Halloween
1. Push Good Oral Health Habits
Making sure you children are following an established oral health routine will help reduce the negative effects of sugar-filled holidays. Children over 2 should be brushing twice a day with a soft-bristled brush and fluoridated toothpaste. They should be flossing once a day as well.
2. Limit Their Candy Intake
After they collect their hoard, the best thing to do is put it under parental supervision for the coming weeks. Limiting the amount of candy they consume each day and ensuring they go to bed with clean teeth means you can protect them from cavities.
3. Add An Extra Brushing or Mouth Rinse
Adding in an extra round of tooth brushing during the day will help remove debris from the increased amount of candy. You can also try adding a mouth rinse to their nightly routine, to get rid of cavity-causing bacteria. However, mouthwash is only recommended for children over the age of six, who understand the concept of gargling and spitting.
Pediatric Dental Care in Prescott, Arizona
Halloween candy can cause cavities, so it’s important to protect your kids’ teeth from sugar. Signs of cavities can include tooth pain or sensitivity, unwillingness to chew on one side of the mouth, swelling of the gums, and bad breath. If you are worried about your child’s teeth, please consult a dentist.
Here at Hicks Dental Group, we are invested in your family’s oral health. We offer pediatric dental care and gentle cleanings to keep your kids cavity-free. If you’re worried about the effects of Halloween candy, contact us today to schedule an appointment.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (10/29/24). Photo by Haley Phelps on Unsplash.