Witches, ghosts, and CANDY…oh my! At FDA we love the spooky fun of Halloween! We know some of our patients worry that all the trick-or-treating candy can be scary for their kids’ oral health, but there are some easy ways to make Halloween more tooth-friendly. We are passionate about teaching kids and families healthy oral care habits right from the start and have three tips on how to keep it a healthy holiday!
Set a Daily Candy Limit
As with most things, moderation is key! After you marvel at your child’s trick-or-treating haul, set a daily candy limit or quota for them. It’s true that some candy is better than others when it comes to your teeth – sticky and chewy choices tend to linger on the teeth and have been known to cause issues. Limit those, but let your child pick their favorites and then save the rest. Also, since most kids get way more candy than they can eat from trick-or-treating, talk with your kids about donating some of the leftover candy. For example, they can share some of their candy with an organization that sends care packages overseas to active military members. Talk about a feel-good way to limit their candy intake!
Remember to Brush & Rinse
Brushing and flossing is important every day, and it’s extra important on the days your kids are eating candy. If they’ve been enjoying some candy that is especially sticky, encourage your child to floss and brush right afterwards. This will help protect their tooth enamel. Drinking water after eating or drinking anything sugary is also a great cavity preventative. It can help rinse your mouth of bacteria and neutralize any acidity that is present. So, keep you kids brushing and rinsing!
Schedule a Checkup
Regular checkups with Dr. Brunacini and Dr. Karagiorgos are integral to maintaining your child’s oral health, and Halloween is a great reminder to get your kids in for a cleaning. Give us a call at 207.781.5900 if you have any questions about your child’s oral health, or would like to schedule an appointment – we’re here to help keep your kid’s smile healthy and happy!
