Are you ready for the spooky season? Halloween is around the corner, and while trick or treating is fun, too many sweets is a recipe for tooth decay. Which is why we want to offer a few tips for keeping little smiles safe! In today’s blog, your Garland, TX, dentist talks about steps you can take to help your kids stay cavity-free.
How Too Much Candy Causes Tooth Decay
When kids eat a lot of candy, this leaves behind particles of sugar. This is particularly true if your kids are consuming candies with sticky ingredients like caramel. When oral bacteria consume these trapped particles of sugar, this elevates oral acidity and coats the teeth in plaque, two factors that weaken enamel and make the onset of cavities possible. Which is why we recommend limiting your kids to a few favorite pieces of candy, one to two a day. They should eat them after dinner, when increased saliva production can help remove the trapped bits of sugar. Drinking water can be helpful too!
You could also offer kids the chance to trade their candy to you for a small amount of money or a fun toy. If your house is handing out treats this Halloween, then consider offering options with no sugar, such as Halloween style temporary tattoos and stickers, or even cheap party fairs like plastic skeletons or spider rings!
Our Approach to Children’s Dental Care
Our team can offer children’s dentistry to help protect little smiles from the onset of cavities. For example, with a checkup we will examine the teeth and identify areas of weakened enamel or developing cavities. With a filling, we can treat the issue in one visit and offer results that blend with the smile. In the same visit, we can conduct a cleaning to remove plaque and tartar, protecting the teeth from cavities.
In addition, we have fluoride treatments that help strengthen the outer enamel to make cavities less likely. Application only takes a few seconds! Since kids have trouble reaching the rear molars, we can coat these teeth in dental sealants, an acrylic coating that prevents sugar from being caught between them, lowering the risk of tooth decay. Sealants can even stay in place for up to ten years!
Cavity Prevention at Home
At home, you can help protect their little smiles by making sure they brush in the morning and again at night, and that they floss every evening too! If you have any questions about protecting children from cavities during the spooky season and beyond, then contact our team today.
Learn More About Children’s Dentistry
Our team can help your children enjoy a reduced risk of tooth decay, so schedule an appointment by calling Mai Dental in Garland, TX, today at (972) 530-0552.
