Halloween

Halloween is just around the corner and we all know that for most children, Halloween means candy and lots of it!

When your child consumes sugary food or drinks, the damage to the tooth depends on how much sugar goes in the mouth and how long it stays there. The longer and more often sugar touches the teeth, the more damage it can do.

A few tips for Halloween from Dr. Oliver;

Limit the number of times a day your child eats sugary treats or snacks between meals.

Drinking a glass of water after eating a sugary treat will also help wash away some of the sugars and acids.

Avoid soft, sticky treats that get stuck between teeth.

Always have your child brush and floss before going to bed.

Trick-or-treaters who wear braces should avoid nuts, popcorn, tortilla chips, hard candy, caramel and other chewy candies to keep their braces safe and intact. However, there are plenty of other things that trick-or-treaters who wear braces can enjoy, like chocolate!

If you are concerned about the amount of candy that your child will receive, try rationing it over a few weeks. Another alternative would be to let your child trade in Halloween candy for a video game, book, toy or trip to the movies.

Have a safe and happy Halloween!