Preventing Halloween Cavities in Kids

by | Oct 22, 2014 | Uncategorized

You might find it crazy that a dentist would be telling you some candies are perfectly fine for your teeth, but do a little bit of research and you’ll see it’s true. Candy is permitted – if not encouraged around Halloween – if teeth are properly cared for. Here are some useful tips for preventing cavities among your little ghouls and goblins.
preventing halloween cavities
First of all, why does candy get such a bad rap? Much of the candy you find on Halloween contains sugar, sugar that can promote tooth decay. Parents should be aware that plenty of other everyday foods can be just as harmful – bananas, fruit juice, etc – it all comes down to proper oral hygiene.
Sugar is what sustains millions of microorganisms in your mouth – this bacteria leaves behind a sticky biofilm known as plaque as it feeds. Plaque releases acids that gradually break down the protective enamel of your teeth. One can easily see how an abundant amount of candy can raise concerns over this process around the holiday.
Want to keep your child’s smile protected? Start by making an agreement with your child that they won’t eat anything until after Halloween. This gives you the opportunity to fully inspect their supply, allowing you to dispose of any trouble items.
Trouble items include things like hard candies; these should be discarded. These types of candy can be worse than others as they leave sugar in the mouth for extended periods. Parents should also be aware that they can cause teeth fracturing among very young children, due to their brittle makeup.
Lastly, allow your child to eat their Halloween candies only when they can brush their teeth immediately to follow. Having a brush and floss nearby is the only way to ensure sugars don’t create a major disturbance along the enamel – plan accordingly!

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