Halloween is typically a time to indulge in sweets and junk food that are bad for your teeth. Kids are usually really excited about the delicious candy and the adventure of going door to door to get it.
At Shoal Creek Pediatric Dentistry, one of the best pediatric dental offices in Kearney, we know that sweet treats aren’t the best for your child’s teeth, but there are ways to protect them. Here are the top ways to protect your child’s teeth this Halloween season.
Pick Your Candy Wisely
If you ask a pediatric dentist in Kearney, MO if candy is bad for your child’s teeth, they’ll likely say, “Yes, and some candy is much worse than others.” For example, candies that are sticky and cling to the surface of the teeth are the worst for tooth decay. Your saliva is supposed to wash away pieces of food that are caught in-between or stuck to teeth. However, when candy is sticky it is much more difficult to remove. If a sticky food remains on a tooth, the surface and enamel will begin to break down.
Another bad choice for candy is hard candy that causes pressure on teeth. Biting down on hard foods could potentially crack or break a child’s tooth. If you ask your kid’s dentist in Kearney which candy has a low risk of teeth damage for children, they will likely tell you a plain chocolate candy bar. Chocolate tends to wash off the teeth much more easily than other candies.
Drink Plenty of Water
Kearney pediatric dental specialists, suggests that water is not only good for your body, but it’s good for your teeth. Water washes away any sugar or chewy pieces of food and candy that can get wedged between teeth while chewing. If you notice your child is eating candy, offer water and have them swish it around when they are finished. If you are near your home, have your child brush their teeth immediately after eating candy or sugary drinks.
Set Limits on How Much and When
Many children, when they go trick or treating, bring home pounds and pounds of candy. This is not only unhealthy for their teeth but also for their bodies. Set limits on how much candy you keep and donate the rest. There are many options such as donating candy to send to troops overseas. Also, some pediatric dentists in Kearney, MO might allow your child to exchange candy for a prize during their next dental cleaning.
Hand Out Non-Candy Items on Halloween Night
If you are expecting trick or treaters, do other parents a favor and pick a non-candy item to hand out to children. There are so many options, such as special pens, pencils, stickers, spider rings, little trinkets, and gadgets, that are all fun to play with. These can all protect children from excess candy that can cause damage to their teeth.
At Shoal Creek Pediatric Dentistry, a Kearney pediatric dentist specialist, we love Halloween and even the occasional sweet treat. We want to couple with parents and families to help build healthy smiles for your child for the future. Teaching parents and kids about dental health and giving healthy alternatives is a great way to move towards healthy smiles.
Give us a call at (816) 781-5437 or visit our website to schedule an appointment. We look forward to hearing from you!
