Halloween Dental Hazards: Mitigation Tips for Parents
With Halloween right around the corner, many parents are facing the age-old struggle of the holiday candy versus their child's teeth. Obviously, you want to protect your child's teeth from unnecessary damage. However, if you're like most parents, you may just not know how to balance the two. Luckily, there are some easy ways to allow your child to enjoy this candy-filled holiday without damaging his or her teeth unnecessarily.
Start with a Sort-Out
After your child's trick-or-treating is finished, the first step to reducing the risk of any kind of dental damage is to start by sorting out the treats. Set a number for how many pieces of candy your child is allowed to keep, then have he or she go through their trick-or-treat candy and pick that many pieces that they want to keep. Recommend that they grab favorites so that they can truly enjoy their selections.
Put It All Up
Whether you dispose of the candy that your child didn't choose or you donate it somewhere, get it out of sight and out of the house. As for the candy that your child did pick, that should also be put up somewhere that allows you to control the access to it. You can divvy out the candy to your child as you determine in order to help eliminate the risk of constant candy eating, which is awful for your child's teeth and increases the risk of getting cavities.
Brush Well
Encourage your child's tooth care habits every day to ensure that you minimize the damage that can be caused by the candy. Consider getting the mouthwash that adds color to the tartar and plaque, so your child can see what they are missing when they brush. This makes it easier for them to brush well because they can actually see what they are trying to remove.
Schedule a Cleaning
It's a great idea to schedule your child's semiannual cleaning in the first week or two of November. That way, the pediatric dentist can get your child's teeth completely clean after the introduction of the candy from Halloween. During this cleaning, the dentist can help encourage your child to make healthy choices, potentially limiting his or her exposure to and desire for candy later.
These tips are great ways to allow your child to enjoy the holiday without having to stress yourself about his or her dental health.