What to do with all that Halloween candy?
Halloween is one of the most popular holidays in the country and a question we get is, “What to do with all that Halloween candy?” The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), is strongly recommending caregivers and parents to be aware of the type of candy their children are collecting on October 31st and then eating during the Halloween season.
About $2.6 billion is expected to be spent on Halloween candy this year, it is to be expected that children will be indulging in a lot of candy. If you’re worried that your child is eating more gummies, chocolate and candies than they should, there are ways to defend their their teeth from the Sugar monsters.
Here are some tips to keep your child’s smile in tip top shape during the Halloween season:
1. Have your child pick out the healthiest option from their bag of trick o’treat
- Sticky, chewy candies like caramels and gummies are the most harmful as they tend to stick to the surfaces of the teeth and are harder to brush off.
- Crackers and pretzels or less acidic or sticky treats are preferable
- For something sweet, dark chocolate is great, with lots of antioxidants. Sugar-free gum made with xylitol helps promote growth of protective bacteria to your teeth.
2. Brush, brush, brush
- After trick-or-treating, it’s important to not forget to brush and floss. Don’t neglect proper oral health care, brush and floss at least two minutes before bed.
- Don’t miss your 6 or 3 month dental preventive care visits.
3. Fillings and cavities can be scary, but there are options to help your child be comfortable and relaxed
- Even if you do everything right, sometimes the sugar wins and your child may still can still get cavities. Not to worry, pediatric dentists have many ways and techniques to help your child be comfortable during a dental procedure.
- If the cavity is small enough, there is a new painless treatment option called silver diamine fluoride (silver nitrate) which could be an option for your child. The silver nitrate is a liquid that is brushed on the tooth to minimize the progression of dental decay and can help to delay needing to fill the cavity. The pediatric dentist will monitor the cavity periodically to make sure it has stopped growing and will advise more frequent preventive visits.
4. Find a dental home for your child
- More than 15 million children under the age of 18 have a healthcare need, which puts them at risk for oral health issues. Choose a pediatric dentist who is specialized and trained in treating and working with children who have special needs.
- According to the American Association of Pediatric Dentists it is recommended that a child’s first dental visit should be as soon as they get their first teeth or by a kid’s first birthday.
View the official press release here
It’s important to start early when choosing a pediatric dentist, click here for information on when you should schedule your child’s first dental visit.
HOW TO KEEP MOUTH MONSTERS AWAY DURING HALLOWEEN!
If you have any other questions or would like to schedule an appointment for your child, call us to schedule an appointment!
Call us and schedule your child’s appointment today: (702)586-4347
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