Halloween is a time for your child to show off their best spooky costume in an attempt to collect the most candy in the neighborhood. While there are plenty of events that encourage fun, games, and lots of sugar, the last thing you want is for you and your little one to miss the festivities because they need to see an emergency dentist. To keep their smiles healthy and cavity-free, here are three tips to remember when preparing for an evening of trick-or-treating.
Tip #1: Ditch the Hard Candies
It may be hard for your child or teenager to pass up hard candy, but the reality is that these sweet treats can result in a chipped, broken, or cracked tooth.
Containing lots of sugar, they not only increase their risk of tooth decay but also can lead to an emergency visit that requires a dental crown or even pulp treatment to address a severe dental injury. Although they may not want you to discard their stash, you should do so before they take a bite and disaster strikes.
Tip #2: Make Sure They’re Brushing with Fluoride
No matter the time of year, making sure your child is using fluoridated toothpaste is one of the best ways to better protect their pearly whites from possible cavities and severe toothaches.
At Halloween, don’t let them skip their nighttime brushing, flossing, and rinsing regimen. Removing remnants of any candy they might have eaten while trick-or-treating is important, as bacteria will accumulate throughout the night.
By using fluoride toothpaste, you can rest easier knowing their smile is being safeguarded against any bacteria that might try to break down their tooth enamel.
Tip #3: Discuss Donating Some of Their Candy
Many children come home from trick-or-treating with an overabundance of candy. While they might try to justify keeping it and eating a few pieces over a long span of time, you may not want to keep it lying around as a tempting snack.
Instead, talk to your children about donating some of their candy. They can pick out their favorites and give the rest to troops overseas through organizations like Operation Gratitude. Many dental offices also participate in candy buy-back programs.
When it comes to Halloween, make sure your kids are spending more of their time having fun trick-or-treating with friends instead of seeing an emergency dentist. By helping them stay on top of their oral hygiene routine and avoiding smile-damaging candies, they can continue to enjoy a pain-free smile.
About the Practice
Page Family Dental consists of four dentists who understand that the holidays can be a challenging time when it comes to oral health and hygiene. At Halloween, our experts can provide helpful tips to minimize cavities and potential dental injuries that might require a visit with one of our emergency dentists. Contact us at (781) 284-5443 to learn what you can do to protect your little one’s smile during this spooky time of year.