How to Make Your Halloween Tooth-Friendly

The second-most popular holiday of the year is fast approaching, and it’ll be here before we know it. While Halloween may be fun for kids, getting cavities certainly isn’t! That’s why your dentist has written this helpful guide to a mouth-healthy Halloween. Continue reading to learn more about how to make sure your little one enjoys Halloween while staying away from tooth decay.

Limit Sticky Foods

All Halloween treats should only be consumed in moderation, but sticky items especially so. Candies like caramel and gummies are more likely to get stuck in the grooves of the teeth. From there, bacteria in plaque feed on the high sugar content in the candy and create acid that breaks down tooth enamel, causing painful cavities.

Make Sure They Brush After Eating

If your little one is going to eat sticky foods, at least make sure they brush their teeth afterwards. If they go to bed without brushing, the sugar in the candy will spend all night attached to the teeth. This will give the harmful bacteria in your child’s mouth ample time to wreak havoc.

Try Non-Candy Alternatives

Even though Halloween is known for candy, there are other ways to celebrate. Offer your child alternatives like glow sticks, stickers, and Halloween-themed pencils. If they’re stubborn in their desire for candy, steer them away from sour gummies and more towards chocolate. Chocolate washes away quickly and doesn’t linger on the teeth. Dark chocolate even contains antioxidants that prevent bacteria from sticking to the teeth.

Visit Your Children’s Dentist

The best way to make sure your child’s teeth are in good shape is to have them visit their dentist every six months. Your kid’s dentist can give their mouth a good cleaning right after Halloween, undoing any damage that candy has done. The dentist can also provide dental sealants, which are helpful before Halloween. Sealants are thin, plastic-like coatings that are painted onto the grooves of your child’s molars. They work as a seal to keep bacteria from entering and causing decay.

It’s also important to remember that if your child complains about tooth pain, take them into the dentist right away. When it comes to cavities, it’s better to get them treated sooner rather than later.

About the Author

Dr. Thomas Snarr has been faithfully serving patients in the Rexburg, ID area for nearly three decades now. He’s always enjoyed getting to work directly with his hands and helping people, so dentistry was a natural fit for him. For more advice on how to make this Halloween more mouth-healthy, contact Dr. Snarr at (208) 356-4240.