Summer is coming to a close, which means Halloween isn’t far behind. Like most children, your kids will probably look forward to collecting buckets and bags of candies and sweets, but those snacks can wreak havoc on their teeth. Fortunately, creating a plan for dealing with the sudden abundance of candy can help prevent unnecessary trips to the dentist’s office; follow the tips below to protect your kids’ teeth this Halloween.

4 Tips for Handling Candy This Halloween

1. Ration the Candy

Divide up the candy as soon as you can, and strictly ration how much they can have on each day. You might want to separate the candy into little plastic baggies to limit how many pieces your children can have each day. When separating the candy, be sure there’s not too much of the same type on each day.

​​​​​​​2. Avoid Hard Candy

Hard candies stay in your mouth longer than other sweets, flooding your mouth with sugar that can do serious damage to young teeth. If you’re really concerned with your children’s teeth, you might consider just tossing out the hard candy.

​​​​​​​3. Stay Away From Sticky Substances

Taffy, gummies, and other sticky candies adhere to your teeth for a long time, promoting cavities and the growth of plaque. Your kids can still enjoy these treats, just make sure they brush their teeth as soon as possible.

​​​​​​​4. Time It Right

Saliva is your mouth’s natural defense against tooth decay, washing away bits of food and inhibiting the growth of bacteria. Because saliva levels are highest after you eat, the best time to enjoy sweets is right after mealtime.

As one of Cincinnati’s top dentist’s offices, Lowitz & Meier offers a wide range of services, delivered by a team of friendly professionals who are committed to keeping their customers’ smiles beautiful. To see their full list of services, visit their website now, and keep up on Facebook for more tips. If you’re ready to make an appointment, call this trusted dentist’s office at (513) 521-8900.