No Dental Insurance?Click Here Request Request an Appointment Forms Complete Our Forms Find Us Like Us on Facebook Reviews Leave a Google Review Referral Doctor Referral Call Map
No Dental Insurance?Click Here
Click Here to Read About Our Commitment to Safety

6 Tips for Candy Consumption Around Halloween

October 21, 2019

Filed under: Uncategorized — purpleplumdentistry @ 12:41 pm

Halloween candy

Halloween is right around the corner, which, for most kids, means a chance to gather up candy to store for the winter. Unfortunately, it also presents parents with a lot of challenges to keep their children cavity-free. While it’s definitely okay to eat some candy, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Here are 6 Halloween candy tips for this time of year.

1. Have a Plan

It may be tempting to let your child stockpile the candy and make it last well into the winter. However, this can spell disaster for their pearly whites. To save your little one the pain of cavities, have them pick out their favorite candies on Halloween night to keep. Consider donating the rest to the less fortunate, or you can see if your dentist has a candy take-back program you can utilize.

2. Pick Candy Carefully

If you can, try and steer your kid away from hard candies or treats that you suck on. The length of time that your teeth are exposed to sugar affects the likelihood of developing tooth decay. Unless the candy you suck on is sugar-free, it increases your risk of contracting a cavity.

Furthermore, try your best to avoid sticky candy like gummy worms, caramel, and taffy. These candies take longer to get rinsed out by saliva. Because they stay attached to your teeth for longer periods of time, your risk for getting tooth decay increases.

3. Cut Back on Snacking

Don’t lay out a bowl of candy for your kids to snack on. Constantly munching on candy throughout the day can give bacteria ample time to wreak havoc on the teeth.

4. Eat Candy with Meals

Instead of snacking, plan out when your kids are going to eat their yummy treats. Advise them to eat candy with or shortly after meals. This is because production of saliva increases during meals. Although it sounds gross, it’s actually a good thing. Saliva rinses out excess bits of food, and it also neutralizes the acids in the food you just consumed so they don’t damage the tooth enamel.

5. Don’t Neglect Oral Hygiene

Remember to encourage your kids to brush their teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Additionally, have them clean between their teeth with floss at least once a day. These habits help remove bacteria from the teeth and gums that, when left alone, could result in cavities.

6. Visit Your Dentist

Regular visits to your child’s dentist are key in preventing cavities. Professional cleanings can help undo any damage done by excessive candy consumption. Moreover, the dentist can apply dental sealants to your kid’s molars to seal out bacteria that cause tooth decay.

Just because Halloween is almost here doesn’t mean cavities are inevitable. By following the tips listed above, you can help cut down on that risk.

About the Practice

Dr. Anita Kianimanesh is the owner and founder of her dental practice, Purple Plum Dentistry in Falls Church, VA. She is passionate about helping her patients of all ages achieve the best oral care they can. She has completed advanced training through the prestigious Spear to hone her skills with the latest techniques that modern dentistry has to offer. For more questions, or to schedule a cleaning for your little one, contact Dr. Kiani at (703) 998-4244.

No Comments

No comments yet.

RSS feed for comments on this post.

Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.