Heart Health: Don't Neglect Dental Care

Halloween is a fun experience for your children, but all of the sweets can derail your child's oral health. Fortunately, there are things you can do to help your children maintain good oral health while fully enjoying the holiday. Here are some tips to help your children get through this sugary holiday. 

Know Which Candies Are Less Harmful to Teeth

Some candies can be especially damaging to the teeth, so it is important to remove them from your children's stash. Candies with especially high levels of sugar, such as candy corn, sour candies, and chewy candies should be removed. Sour candies have a high acid level and can eat away at the enamel on your child's teeth. Chewy candies tend to be more difficult to remove from your child's teeth, which means sugar left on your child's teeth for a longer period of time. 

There are some candies that are better for your child than others. Any sugar-free gum, hard candies, and lollipops are a better choice. Sugar-free candies help to stimulate saliva, which helps to avoid dry mouth. Dry mouth can lead to a buildup of harmful bacteria. Dark chocolate is also a good choice. It is not only a better choice for your child's teeth, but also has other health benefits. 

Allow Treats in Moderation

Instead of turning over the good candies to your children to consume, set a treat time. Choose a number of treats that your children can have at each selected time and store the rest. For instance, allowing your children a few pieces of candy after finishing homework is an option. If your children are aware that they are going to receive a treat each day at a certain time, they might be less likely to go on a candy binge. 

Encourage Dental Hygiene After Eating Treats

After your children eat their candy, encourage them to brush and floss. By doing this, you not only reinforce the importance of good dental care, but you also ensure that sugar is not left stuck to your children's teeth. If you have particularly young children, help them to ensure they are doing a good job. 

Halloween does not have to be a nightmare for your children's teeth. With good dental care and taking the time to carefully assess the candy collected, you can help protect your children's teeth. Consult with a dentist like Crystal Dental Care for other ways you can make Halloween a good experience for your children.