With its costumes, trick-or-treating, and buckets of candy, Halloween is a holiday many kids anticipate. Unfortunately, sugary treats can harm teeth and cause problems that require a trip to the dentist. To minimize these dental dangers, follow these three healthy Halloween tips.

How to Keep Teeth Healthy This Halloween

1. Be Selective

Just because your kids reap a hefty candy haul on Halloween doesn't mean they need to eat every single treat they gathered. Go through their stash and discard the hard or sticky candies, like jawbreakers, caramels, and gummies, as these adhere to the teeth and are difficult to remove. Bacteria will feed on residual sugars on the teeth and cause plaque buildup, which will lead to cavities and gum disease.

2. Practice Moderation

There’s no reason your kids have to avoid candy altogether on Halloween. However, don’t allow your children to stuff themselves on candy, especially after trick-or-treating when they’re sifting through their bounty. Allow only a few pieces a day, and have them eat it after meals. Since saliva production increases while eating, their mouth will provide a natural rise after a meal, whisking away harmful sugars that can cause decay.

3. Don’t Forget to Floss

Candy sugar can easily get caught between the teeth in tight spots where a toothbrush can’t access. Fortunately, flossing can remove a lot of these hard-to-reach sugars. Teach your children to hold the floss between their fingers, gently insert it between the teeth, and move it up and down and back and forth several times. Be sure they floss to the gum line to prevent gingivitis. Dentists recommend flossing at least once a day, preferably before bedtime.

If your children are experiencing oral discomfort after indulging on Halloween candy, contact Kathleen Kujiraoka DDS, in Kaneohe, HI. This skilled dentist helps kids maintain healthy and beautiful smiles by offering routine exams and cleanings. Dr. Kujiraoka and her team also specialize in gum disease and root canal treatments to address smiles that have been damaged by severe decay. Call (808) 235-2121 to schedule an appointment with this dentist, or learn more about their first visit online.