The Fall Season means that it’s time for your little ones to dress up like ghouls, ghosts, monsters, and princesses and go trick-or-treating. This time of year is so fun for your little ghoulies, but it can also be hazardous for their oral health, and theirs too! Our dentists and team are happy to offer tips on navigating the Fall Season without developing tooth decay.
Sort the Loot
If your children go trick-or-treating this year, you may want to sort their spoils. Some candies are especially bad for the teeth, so removing those types of candy could be wise. Hard candies, sticky candies, and sour candies can do more damage to the teeth than other types of candies.
Set Candy Limits
It may come as a surprise to you that when you and your child eat candy is important. Avoid grazing on candy throughout the day or snacking on it while watching a movie. Setting a specific time to eat candy can be very helpful. Right after a meal is a good time to eat candy because the saliva your mouth produces during a meal can help rinse away candy remains. This reduces the risk of tooth decay.
Pause Before Brushing Your Teeth
You may think that hurrying to the bathroom to brush your teeth or your child’s teeth right after eating candy is a great idea. In reality, some candies (especially sour ones) are acidic and can weaken the tooth enamel. Brushing teeth right after eating these candies can damage the enamel while it is still delicate. Instead of brushing right after eating candy, drink water to rinse the teeth and then brush your teeth 30 minutes later.
Feel free to contact [practice_name] at [phone] today for more tips and to set up an appointment with our dentists in [city], [state].