With Halloween right around the corner, children’s dentists nationwide are fielding questions from parents concerned about how the increase in candy and treats will impact dental hygiene. To ensure your kids enjoy the holiday without cavities and other oral health issues, embrace the recommendations below. 

4 Tips to Prevent Your Little Ones from Binging on Halloween Candy

1. Plan an Early Dinner

Children are more likely to binge on candy as they trick-or-treat if they’re going door-to-door on an empty stomach. Before getting into costume and heading out into the neighborhood, plan an early dinner. Serve pumpkin soup, zucchini noodles with a red sauce, or stuffed orange bell peppers to stay on theme. This meal will curb candy snacking and give your kids enough energy for an evening of fun.

2. Go Through the Trick-or-Treat Stash

After a night of trick-or-treating, go through the stash with your little ones. Allow them to pick a piece or two to enjoy before bedtime. Eliminate as many sour candies, taffy, and other sticky sweets as you can since these are more likely to feed oral bacteria that produce plaque.

3. Control Candy Intake

Once Halloween is over, have your children hand over their loot bags so you have control over when and how much candy they’re eating. These treats can be doled out over time as a reward for clearing dinner plates or good behavior. 

4. Incorporate Dental Hygiene into the Transaction

Make a deal with your children: to enjoy Halloween candy, they need to drink plenty of water to wash away bacteria and go about their dental hygiene routine afterward. Tying candy consumption to brushing and flossing will reduce the risk of cavities and instill healthy habits for the future.

Maintain your children’s dental hygiene after Halloween with the help of Pediatric Dental Group. Since opening in 1966, this Honolulu-based practice has served children across Oahu with compassion and skill. Call today at (808) 593-8828 to schedule an appointment, and visit their website to learn more about their family-friendly approach to oral care.