Halloween is an exciting night for your children, especially because of the Halloween costumes, trick-or-treating, and countless treats. However, it can also be a scary time—not because of the scary costumes, but because of the many cavities the sugary treats can provide. So, to help your child prevent tooth decay on this Halloween night, we recommend doing the following:
Encourage your child to brush away the sugar
Whether your child eats one piece of candy or multiple pieces, it’s important to have them brush their teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste as soon as possible. This will help prevent tooth decay. It is also recommended to have them floss their smile as well. This will help remove the candy that got stuck between your child’s teeth. Halloween is also a good time to get your child a new toothbrush. To make things fun, put your child’s new toothbrush in their trick-or-treating bag before they walk out the door.
Make a candy plan
It’s important to help your child avoid overloading on Halloween candy. You can do this by creating a candy plan, whether the plan is to hide the candy and let your child slowly eat it over time, limit the number of houses your child visits, give your child a smaller bag, or offer a no-sugar reward for their candy. No matter your plan, try to help your child understand the importance of oral care and why a plan is much needed on Halloween night.
Offer a not-so-sweet reward
A candy swap is a great way to let your child enjoy the trick-or-treating fun without going overboard on the treats. The basic concept of the candy swap is that your child will swap their candy for a not-so-sweet reward, like a new toy or the ability to try a new activity they have been interested in. You can also extend the swap by trading small amounts of candy at a time.
For additional tips, call our office today and talk to a member of our friendly dental team. We are happy to help your child prevent tooth decay as much as possible!