Between candy, sodas, and other sweet treats, Halloween in Midlothian might seem like a sugar-filled nightmare for parents of young children. The fear these little ones might not get to sleep before midnight or develop bothersome toothaches is real, but it doesn’t have to be. If you want to make sure your children maintain healthy smiles this holiday, consider these three tips when preparing to navigate this year’s trick-or-treat extravaganza.
Be Mindful of Which Candies Your Child Eats
By the end of the night, your child is likely to return home in preparation for dumping out their buckets and bags to view all the delicious goodies they gathered. From rainbow gummies and caramel treats to chocolate bars and sour sweets, you’ll be hard-pressed to keep them from devouring everything they see. But if you want to make sure they get to partake in their hard trick-or-treating work without damaging their teeth, consider steering them more toward chocolate instead sticky, hard, and chewy treats.
The reason is that chocolate is much easier to wash off. Better yet, dark chocolate contains less sugar but is equally as delicious. Also, if you find that they’ve accumulated any sugarless gum, let them partake, as this helps to stimulate the salivary glands, which is essential for washing away food particles that cause cavities.
Drink Lots of Water
Water is a great way to keep your child hydrated and energized on Halloween night. It also contains no sugar, which means it can’t hurt their teeth. Water is also great for neutralizing acids that try to cause tooth decay. While some homes might hand out soda cans or juice boxes, quickly swap them out for small bottles of water. You can leave any sugary beverages for them to enjoy on a special occasion, or you can choose to donate them.
Maintain a Good Oral Hygiene Routine Before Bed
In the days leading up to Halloween and after, make sure your child practices good oral hygiene habits before bed. This should be something they do year-round to avoid cavities, but when much sugar is going to be consumed, it’s even more important that steps be taken to minimize any potentially harmful impact. Brushing with fluoride toothpaste, flossing in between teeth, and rinsing (if old enough) before bed, reduce the chances of bacteria remaining on their teeth overnight.
By adopting these three practices and tips, you can be sure that your child will not only enjoy Halloween but also avoid a bad report when visiting their dentist in Midlothian next time.
About the Practice
At Long Family Dental, our team of dental experts has been caring for the residents of Midlothian for more than 40 years. A family-owned business, Dr. Robert Long and Dr. Chris Long are carrying on the work of their father, Dr. Henry Long, who originally established the practice. Proponents of preventive care, they offer helpful tips to children and adults to safeguard smiles between appointments. Visit our website to learn how you can better protect your little one’s teeth and gums this Halloween.