Halloween is such a fun time for families - with pumpkin carving, costumes, and treats. But don't let tooth decay spoil your holiday. Use these 5 tricks to ensure Halloween is both happy and healthy for your smiles. And from all of us on the Sunshine Team, we wish you a Happy Halloween!
5 TRICKS FOR HAVING A HEALTHY HALLOWEEN
1. Limit candy intake to certain times to help reduce decay.
Loads of sweets can be a tempting snack for kids (and adults). But depriving kids of their hard earned trick-or-treat sweets will likely make them crave their candy more. Instead of eliminating all candy, limit candy to directly after mealtime. The boosted amounts of saliva created for eating their meal will help cancel out some of the dental plaque bacteria acid often associated with sugar.
2. Not all candy is equally scary.
When trying to decide which candies are more or less harmful, think about the amount of time it will take to eat. For example, chocolate dissolves quickly, whereas sticky and hard candies take a while to eat. Additionally, chewy and hard candies can get stuck in your teeth, potentially causing more harm.
3. Sugar-free gum can be a great option.
Gum with the ADA seal gets two thumbs up. Chewing yummy sugar-free gum after eating helps to boost saliva and wash out food. Sound like a win-win to us!
4. Omit drinking sugary beverages.
Opt for water to drink, rather than sweet soft-drinks which give your teeth a bath in sugar. Water not only is healthier for your body, it keeps your mouth cleaner, too.
5. Remember to BRUSH and FLOSS.
"Sugar bugs" aren't as scary of a threat if you quickly defeat them with fluoridated toothpaste, mouthwash, and flossing. Allow the Halloween festivities to be fun by taking a moment to clean your teeth. And most importantly, remember to SMILE!
SOME ADDITIONAL HEALTHY & NUTRITIOUS TIPS:
Eating a balanced diet is important for optimal health, and for maintaining vitamins that help to strengthen your teeth. “Sugar Bugs” cause nasty cavities, so eliminate sugar whenever possible. Instead, opt for fresh fruits and veggies, milk and cheeses, lean meats, and whole grains. For healthy kid-friendly recipes and food ideas, click here.
To ensure all your children’s teeth are ready to SMILE all year long, be sure to visit Sunshine Children’s Dentistry. The American Dental Association recommends oral checkups twice annually for children (and adults, too). QUESTIONS? We are a resource to you and are happy to answer any questions you may have about your child’s changing smile. We believe that oral health should be FUN and something to SMILE about!
We at Sunshine Children's Dentistry are THANKFUL for our patients!
Your family is a blessing to everyone at our office. Thank you for the honor of serving you! If you ever need to reach us, our number is 910.762.7736.
For more helpful resources and fun activities, be sure to read our other Blog Articles.
