Halloween is here! For kids and adults alike in Schaumburg, dressing up in fun costumes and indulging in tasty treats is one of the highlights of the year. Unfortunately, too many Halloween sweets can leave a lasting mark on your smile if you’re not careful. Here are a few tips from The Smile Standard to keep your child’s smile healthy and strong this Halloween.
Set a limit beforehand.
Before the Halloween festivities being, sit down with your kids and talk about your guidelines for trick-or-treating. Discuss how much candy they can keep and set a limit on the amount of candy they will be permitted to eat each day. If you end up with too much candy, which is often the case, look for opportunities to give some away! Or, consider letting your kids trade in some of their candy for a toy or prize. Setting expectations beforehand will help avoid any confusion while preventing your kids from eating too much sugar in the days following Halloween.
Enjoy candy with a meal.
It is best to eat your candy during a meal, or shortly after. That’s because saliva production increases when you eat which helps rinse away food particles and sugar in the mouth that otherwise cling to the teeth and cause cavities. Similarly, avoid snacking on candy throughout the day as this only increases your mouth’s exposure to sugar.
Choose your treats wisely.
Some Halloween candy is better than others when it comes to your dental health. The worst offenders include hard and sticky candies, like taffies and lollipops, as they tend to linger in the mouth longer and coat the teeth. If possible, stick to chocolate candies as they dissolve more quickly in the mouth.
Practice good oral hygiene.
In addition to being wise about your Halloween candy consumption, it is also critical that you are taking good care of your teeth and gums at home with regular brushing and flossing in the morning and at night. It can also be helpful to brush your teeth after you enjoy a sugary sweet to prevent cavities from forming. If you can’t brush, rinse with water or chew sugar-free gum to increase saliva production and rinse the mouth from harmful bacteria.
Keep up with routine dental visits.
Most importantly, don’t forget to schedule your family’s dental check-ups and cleanings twice a year. During your appointment at our Schaumburg office, we will carefully inspect your teeth for signs of cavities and recommend ways to improve your oral health. Detecting decay and other minor issues early on is important for preventing them from growing into bigger, scarier problems in the future!
As kids in Schaumburg prepare for an evening of trick-or-treating, parents should consider how they can keep their children’s mouths happy and healthy. By following the tips above, you and your kids can enjoy your Halloween treats while keeping your smiles cavity-free.