Next week, or possibly this weekend, your children will be putting on their costume and going door-to-door to obtain a stash of candy and sugary treats. While nothing is wrong with the occasional piece of candy, binging on sweets (as often happens after Halloween) can increase the risk of tooth decay. In today’s blog, we’re going to look at how you can defend against Halloween cavities!
Try Our Quiz on Preventing Cavities This Halloween
- True or False: You should eat candy with meals.
- True or False: You can offer non-sugary Halloween treats.
- True or False: Brushing and flossing can safeguard your smile.
- True or False: Kids need routine dental cleanings.
Answer Key
- True. When you eat candy following a meal, you can help wash it down with a glass of water and food, helping to prevent the sugary parties from remaining stuck on or between the teeth. You can also use this to help limit how much candy your kids eat, asking them to choose one or two favorite pieces with their meal.
- True. You can hand out stickers, temporary tattoos, or party favors. If your kids come home with a massive haul of candy, you can also offer them the opportunity to exchange their candy for a little bit of money or a fun toy, this way you can limit candy without causing an uproar.
- True. You should make sure your kids are brushing twice a day (once in the morning and again before bed) and flossing each night before bed. You can monitor them to make sure they are doing so correctly.
- True. Just like adults, kids need to have their cleanings every six month to safeguard little smiles against tooth decay and gingivitis.
DO YOUR CHILDREN NEED TO SEE THE DENTIST?
At Vi Mai-Truong, DDS, we can children’s dentistry to help kids enjoy healthier and more beautiful smiles. For our patients who don’t speak English, our office is fluent in both Spanish and Vietnamese. To schedule an appointment, call our Garland, TX office today at (972) 530-0552.
