It’s that time of the year again, when werewolves, witches, and ghosts come to life and the words “trick or treat” ring through the air. While this is a thrilling time for kids, it can be dangerous for teeth. Here at Colorado Kids Pediatric Dentistry, serving the Centennial, CO area with offices in Highlands Ranch and Castle Pines, we care about the health of your child’s teeth. Our pediatric dentists encourage parents to pay close attention to the various kinds of candies their children consume to protect the health of their tooth enamel. Sugar in candy allows for the bacteria in dental plaque to produce acids. This acid can lead to loss of tooth mineral, which eventually leads to cavities and tooth decay. Nonetheless, there are preventative measures that you can take to help protect your child’s teeth during their trick or treat adventures.
Tips From a Children’s Dentist for a Tooth-Friendly Halloween
Cleanse Your Candy: Stick to candy that won’t be as harmful to teeth as others. Candies, such as plain chocolate bars, melt quickly and are softer and the least harmful to teeth. Beware of hard candies that can chip or crack teeth.
Avoid Sugary Drinks: Stick to water or fluoridated water this candy filled season. Combining sugary drinks with candy can cause even more unnecessary damage to teeth.
Time the Eating: Believe it or not, eating candy right after a meal can help minimize the negative impact. Saliva production ramps up during and after a meal, and this extra saliva can help wash away sugars and clean teeth.
Pack Healthy Snacks: Not only does eating a good hearty meal before trick-or-treating help with the production of saliva; it also lessens your child’s temptation to fill up on candy. Taking healthy snacks during your trick or treating excursion can also reduce the amount of candy your child eats that night.
Brush & Floss Thoroughly: No matter what happens on Halloween night, the most important thing is to brush and floss teeth thoroughly. The sooner your child brushes after eating candy, the better he/she will protect the health of his/her teeth.
Contact Your Kids’ Dentist In The Centennial, CO Area
If this Halloween season has you worried about the haunting decay that candy can bring to your child’s teeth, Highlands Ranch or Lone Tree dental offices is here to help! Please feel free to contact us at our Highlands Ranch or Castle Pines locations if you have any questions or want to request an appointment. We look forward to hearing from you, and we wish you a happy Halloween season!