Halloween is the time of year kids look forward to dressing up as their favorite character to go trick or treating for lots of candy. Spooky decorations adorn the houses and kids find it fun to scare each other. But the scariest thing about Halloween for dentists, is the amount of tooth decay they see in their offices after the Halloween candy has been consumed. However, Halloween doesn’t have to cause cavities.
The American Dental Association suggests parents limit the amount of candy kids are allowed to eat, especially candy that sticks to the teeth for long periods of time. Sticky candy is not washed away by saliva as easily as other types of candy so it sits on the teeth and causes plaque buildup which can lead to tooth decay. Another suggestion is to consume candy with or just after a meal. Kids who eat Halloween candy after a meal will hopefully consume less candy overall plus the saliva generated from eating a meal will help wash away the candy of their teeth. Kids should be taught to brush their teeth after each meal and if they cannot, chewing sugar free gum can help increase saliva and prevent plaque.
Educating kids on the importance of keeping teeth clean and healthy, limiting sweets, and teaching proper brushing and flossing techniques are all ways parents can protect kids dental health on Halloween and throughout the year. The American Dental Association provides fun, educational games and activities (hyperlink:http://www.ada.org/public/games/index.asp) on their website to teach kids how to brush and floss properly to prevent tooth decay.
Parents can also protect their children’s dental health by offering non-candy treats. Some parents allow kids to choose a few favorite pieces of candy and then donate or dispose of the rest and substitute the candy with a toy or other reward. Many stores offer small Halloween-themed trinkets to give away instead of candy. Some dentists even offer to pay kids for bringing in the Halloween candy they’ve collected in an effort to decrease tooth decay among their young patients and some parents choose to do the same. Look for alternatives to candy so your kid can enjoy the holiday without a large amount of candy.
Halloween plus kids plus candy doesn’t have to equal tooth decay. Follow the advice above to keep those scary cavities away from your kid’s teeth and have a Happy Halloween!
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