With the fall season fast approaching, don’t let too many treats send your little ones to the dentist for a post-holiday visit. From hard candy that can fracture teeth to sweets that attack enamel, Halloween candy can have several negative impacts on a child’s smile. Avoid an extra trip to the dentist by utilizing the following oral hygiene tips.

How to Maintain a Child’s Oral Health During Halloween

1. Avoid Sticky Sweets

When it comes to Halloween treats, not all candy and snacks have the same effects. Hard, sticky, and chewy candies often cause the most damage to teeth. Hard items can chip a child’s tooth, while sticky varieties adhere to the tooth’s surface, eating away the protective enamel. Compromised enamel can accelerate cavity formation because the tooth is worn down to its sensitive inner layer.

2. Opt for Low-Sugar Treats

Treats like sugar-free gum, crackers, and pretzels are better for maintaining oral hygiene. If you feel the need to satiate a sweet craving, pick something soft that melts easily or dissolves fast, such as milk chocolate. This can be washed down quickly with a glass of water to remove excess sugar from your teeth.

3. Skip Snacking

Monitor snacking to decrease your sweet treat intake and limit sugar exposure to your teeth. Nibbling on candy throughout the entire day causes bacteria to form in the mouth from the excess sugar, which can encourage decay. Instead, enjoy candy directly before or after a meal and follow up with your regular oral care practices.

4. Remember to Brush

Regular brushing is important to your dental care routine, but it’s especially crucial during a season dedicated to sweets. After you’ve finished a piece of candy from the Halloween stash, remember to rinse with a glass of water. Brush and floss as normal to clean away leftover food particles.

Keep your family’s smile bright before and after Halloween with the help of the team at Riviera Dental Care P.C. in Foley, AL. This full-service dental office provides the preventative, cosmetic, and restorative treatments needed to maintain your pearly whites. They also offer Botox®. Learn more about their oral health services online, or call (251) 943-3368 to schedule a dentist appointment.