Halloween is nearly here, and many children will receive bags of sweet goodies, which can be challenging for their oral health. Having a plan will help ensure your child enjoys Halloween, hopefully without damaging their teeth.
Eat Halloween treats with meals
Eating sugary foods with meals or at the end of the meal helps reduce the harmful effects of acid produced by bacteria in the mouth. Also, saliva production increases during mealtimes, rinsing away food particles more effectively.
Avoid snacking
Snacking on sweets throughout the day increases the time teeth are exposed to sugar and acids and is harmful to dental health and diets.
Be picky about sweets
Ideally, avoid hard or sticky sweets that stay in the mouth for a long time. Chocolate is a better choice as it melts easily and is more quickly washed away by saliva.
Have a plan for excess treats
If your child has a huge stash, get them to pick their favourites and donate the rest. Alternatively, you could offer to buy their sweets so they can spend the money on something they really want.
Stick to a healthy diet
Growing children need plenty of nutrient-dense foods, so make sure they have a nourishing meal before indulging in sweets.
Don’t forget to brush and floss
After indulging, it’s best to wait half an hour for acids to neutralise before brushing and flossing. Waiting a while gives the tooth enamel time to re-harden, reducing the damage caused by sugary treats.
Visit us regularly
Regular visits to Coastal Smiles are the best way to maintain healthy teeth and gums, and often we can catch problems early when they are much easier to “treat”!
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