Pumpkin spice latte and apple pies are great, but we all know that the best thing about fall is Halloween. And the best thing about Halloween is trick-or-treating. Dressing up in a creative and fun costume and getting loads of candy from around the neighborhood is something all kids love doing. But too much candy at the end of the day can cause toothaches and cavities.
Here are some tips that can help you make sure your kids don’t develop cavities after their Halloween adventures.
1. Don’t Eat Them All at Once
Kids usually come home with whole bags full of candy bars, gummies and other sweets after trick-or-treating. The easiest and most important tip we can give you is not to let your kids eat all their candy at once. Kids will be tempted to do this, but eating too much at once can be a problem. Some candies are acidic in nature, so the pH level in your mouth drops, and it takes a while for it to normalize. Over time, the enamel on your teeth can corrode. This is why it’s advisable to convince your kids that it’s better to make the candy last a few days rather than eat it all at once.
2. Develop a Post-Candy Dental Care Routine:
It’s important to make it a habit for them to follow a specific dental care routine everything they have sugary-foods or sweets. The proper way to care for teeth after eating sweet things is to wait at least 30 minutes before brushing. This is because the acid in the food causes the enamel to weaken, and if weakened enamel is brushed over, it can be scraped off easily.
After waiting for the pH level to balance, you should encourage your kids to use a pH correcting oral rinse and swish around plain water in their mouth afterward; this will normalize pH levels as well as clean the mouth of any bacteria that may form cavities.
3. Never Eat Candy Just Before Bed:
Eating candy just before bed is especially harmful to your kid’s teeth. This is because when we sleep, our mouths tend to be drier than usual. Since saliva plays an active part in protecting the enamel of our teeth, having candy right before bed and then having a dry mouth while asleep can increase the chances of cavity formation. When your kids come home with their candy, let them eat a bit of it right away (at least an hour before bedtime), and then save the rest for the next day.
Concerned about your oral health? Get advice from some of the best dentists in Woodlands, CA, at West Hills Smiles. We provide basic dental care as well as braces and Invisalign and cosmetic dentistry services.