Oral Health Tips for a Healthy Halloween

Fall has officially arrived, which means Halloween will be here before we know it! It’s a time where families look forward to dressing up in costumes and trick-or-treating around their neighborhood. For most children, this means accumulating bags of free candies and goodies. Although having a stockpile of sweets is every kid’s dream, it can leave a lasting mark on their smile if they’re not careful. Here are some Halloween oral health tips that can help your little one avoid a trip to their emergency dentist.

Be Choosy About Your Treats

In general, candy isn’t the best food for your teeth – but some are much worse than others.  It’s a good idea to help your child choose treats that cause the least amount of damage to their smile! Stay away from hard candy and other sweets that stay in your mouth for a long time. The more time sugar spends in your mouth, the higher your risk is of developing tooth decay. Instead, choose candies like chocolate which can be swallowed quickly and don’t stick to teeth!

Indulge in Moderation

The entire family may immediately want to dig into all their Halloween treats right after trick-or-treating. However, sugar must be eaten in moderation. Otherwise, excess consumption can increase your chances of developing cavities, tooth decay, and even gum disease. To keep your mouth safe, eat candy with meals or shortly after mealtime! Saliva production increases during meals, which helps neutralize the acids in your mouth and wash away food particles.

Chew Sugar-Free Gum

About 20 minutes after eating a meal or snack, it’s a good idea to chew on a stick of sugar-free gum to reduce your chances of tooth decay. It increases saliva flow which helps wash away food particles and neutralize the harmful acid in your mouth produced by bacteria. Not only does it benefit your oral health, but it can freshen your breath as well!

Maintain a Healthy Diet

Don’t stuff yourself with candy! Make sure you eat a well-balanced diet full of foods that meet all your nutritional needs. Your dietary choices can significantly affect your oral and overall health. If you eat the right foods that help you feel full, you’ll be less likely to devour all your Halloween treats in one sitting.

Practice Good Oral Hygiene

Brushing twice a day and flossing daily are crucial practices to keep your smile healthy, especially on Halloween night. Don’t let your little ones go to bed without cleaning their teeth! It helps eliminate harmful bacteria, plaque, and leftover food particles from the mouth. Make sure your child uses a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to brush their teeth. Fluoride can dramatically reduce the damage caused by tooth decay.

Is your family ready for Halloween? Before you go trick-or-treating, brush up on the oral health tips outlined above to maintain a healthy and happy smile – now you’re ready to go out and have a fun night!

About the Practice

At Queen Creek Dental, we offer comprehensive and quality services that are guaranteed to meet your entire family’s oral health needs. Our skilled and knowledgeable team has experience working with patients of all ages, meaning your family can get the care they deserve in one convenient location. For more tips to celebrate Halloween the healthy way, visit our website or call (480) 722-1200.