Your kids may be ready to indulge in sweet treats this Halloween, but don’t let the holiday turn into an oral health nightmare. To keep your children’s smiles safe from creepy cavities this season and all year-round, consider these tips from the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD).
- Don’t Get Stuck — Sticky, chewy candies are cavity-causing culprits, say dentists. Encourage children to brush their teeth following candy consumption. If a toothbrush isn’t handy, give them a glass of water to help swish away the sugars.
- Eat, Then Treat — On Halloween night, allow children to enjoy a few pieces of candy, but only after they’ve eaten a nutritious meal.
- Do Your Part — When trick-or-treaters visit your home, pass out teeth-friendly treats. For example, sugar-free lollipops, hard candies, and chewing gum are better options than their sugary alternatives.
- Brushing Basics — At all times of the year, kids should be brushing their teeth for two minutes twice a day and flossing once a day.
For more tips, visit KnowYourTeeth.com.
