Just because your kids will probably indulge in an excessive amount of treats after Halloween doesn’t mean their teeth have to pay the price. In general, it’s a good idea to limit your children’s candy consumption, but letting them go a little crazy on Halloween won’t make you a bad parent, as long as you keep an eye on the rest of their diet and oral hygiene habits. Below, William B. Collier Jr., DMD in Enterprise, AL, shares a few tips for protecting your family’s pearly whites after trick-or-treating.

3 Tips for Maintaining Healthy Teeth After Halloween

1. Stay on Top of Their Hygiene Habits

Make sure your kids are keeping up with their brushing and flossing routine every day. It can be hard to coax them into taking care of their teeth, but with just a little creativity, you can make brushing fun. You should also track your kids’ dental appointments. It’s ultimately up to you to bring them to the dentist for a full oral exam and professional cleaning every six months.

2. Buy Everyone New Brushes

You should replace your toothbrush every three months, so your family may need new brushes within a few weeks of Halloween. Take a preventative approach to practice good oral hygiene by getting some new brushes before the holiday, so your kids are excited to use them after they overindulge on candy.

3. Ration the Candy

Rationing candy is no fun, but depending on your children’s ages, you can make it into a game. For example, you can practice simple mathematical equations when dividing up the candy. You can also try hiding a few pieces every day, so your children are more focused on the “game” of finding it than they are on how many pieces they get to eat.

If someone in your family is overdue for a teeth cleaning, head to William B. Collier Jr., DMD. Dr. Collier has cared for the residents of Enterprise, Alabama, for more than 35 years. To learn more about this friendly and attentive family dentist, visit his website, or call (334) 347-5026 to make an appointment today.