26 Oct Halloween Healthy Smile Tips
All Hallows’ Eve is now under one week away and the anticipation by kids and fun-loving adults alike is growing everyday! Unfortunately, it’s usually our teeth and gums that get the short end of the stick when it comes to Halloween. We all know that it’s not just the kids that are eating too much candy this year, if you have kids of your own, November 1st has been unofficially dubbed “steal some candy from your kids after they go to bed day”. No shame in that, just call it taxes for the cost of raising them! However, the staff at Prescott Dentistry wants to remind everyone to be weary of the amount of candy they consume due to it’s affects on both our dental and overall health. Here are a few tips too provide some relief for your teeth.
Manage Expectations
Before the festivities begin, take a few minutes to discuss your with your child their expectations. This includes how long you will be out trick-or-treating, how much candy they will be allowed to have on Halloween, and any limits on treats per day.
Snack with a Meal
A snack should always come after a healthy hardy meal. Plan a good, wholesome dinner Halloween night so that everyone is full of energy for the evening and less likely to overindulge in sweet treats. It’s also smart to eat candy shortly after a regular meal because at this time saliva levels are elevated which protect teeth from the acids that cause tooth decay.
Smaller Bags
Some solutions are so simple they don’t even cross your mind. A smaller trick-or-treat bag means that there will be less candy to deal with from the start.
A Good Rinse
Brushing and flossing are a no-brainer after a night of candy consumption, but if there will be a gap before you are able to brush encourage your child to rinse their mouth with water after eating candy. This will help flush excess sugar from settling in the nooks and crannies of your teeth and gums.
If you are worried about your child’s or your own dental health after this treat-heavy holiday, contact Prescott Dentistry today to schedule your post-Halloween dental checkup. Be prepared to keep your family’s teeth in tip top shape, but also be prepared to have a great time this Halloween!
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (10/26/2015) Benjamin Gauthier (Flickr)