Healthy Tips Protect Teeth from Halloween Candy

Okay, maybe eating all that Halloween candy in one night won't cause any new cavities, but let's face it, over time sweet treats can certainly do some damage. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) knows it can't compete with the excitement of Halloween, but does offer parents a few tips to protect their little monster's teeth.

1.Keep your child's diet balanced by adding in cheese, fruits, vegetables, grains, lean meat, milk and yogurt. Dole out Halloween candy sparingly along with healthy snacks.

2.Believe it or not, there are kids who don't actually like candy. It's true. Be the tooth-healthy house on the block. Yes, in the past those who gave out apples usually got "tricked" later on in the evening, but these days, there are many healthy snacks that kids would love to get. Look for cracker snack packs, raisins, trail mix, rice crispy treats, granola bars, etc.

3.Avoid chewy treats that tend to stick to teeth and cause more damage. If your kids prefer these candies, make sure they drink plenty of water and get in a good brushing when done.

4.Monitor candy consumption. Remember when you were a kid? Not only did you sneak in candies while you were going from house to house, but after you dumped everything on the floor, it was a smorgasbord. Keep younger kids busy by sorting and counting candy by color of wrappers, brands, favorites, etc. If you have more than one child in the house, encourage trading. When it's time for bed, put all the candy away. Make sure it doesn't mysteriously appear in their bedroom. Keep an eye out for empty wrappers around the house! After Halloween, treat your kids each day with one piece of candy in their lunch box or as an option for dessert. Also, consider donating a portion of their candy to a local shelter.

5.Now is an excellent time to review the basics of flossing.

6.Brushing your teeth used to be incredibly boring. Now kids have all sorts of options - whether it's a favorite cartoon character, a catchy tune or blinking lights, it's very entertaining. Use the fun of the holiday to get your kids excited about taking care of their teeth. Consider slipping in a new, fun toothbrush in you little one's pumpkin.

7.If your kids haven't been to the dentist in a while, consider October or November a good time to schedule an appointment for a thorough cleaning. Besides, after seeing so many creepy ghosts and ghouls on Halloween, the dentist won't seem that scary!
Give us a call today at (704)596-0021 or click here to request an appoinment.

Source:the examiner.com