With Halloween right around the corner, children are already dreaming of the candy they’re going to bring home from trick-or-treating. As a parent, however, you may be worried about the impact these sweets will have on your child’s oral health. Dentists advise minimizing the consumption of sugar, which attracts cavity-causing bacteria. Follow these steps to protect your child’s teeth and gums.

How Parents Can Protect Children’s Dental Health This Halloween

1. Be Smart About Candy Selection

Most parents sort through their child's Halloween candy to check for hazardous goods, like unwrapped items. Take this opportunity to eliminate more damaging treats, as well.

Sticky candies, like caramels, are harmful because they are difficult to remove from teeth. Hard candies can also have negative dental impacts. Kids may damage the protective enamel coating on their teeth when biting down on them.

2. Set a Time for Treats

If your child is snacking on sweets throughout the day, sugar will constantly coat their teeth. Designate an exclusive timeframe for eating Halloween candy, such as after dinner for dessert. This is an ideal time because kids brush their teeth in preparation for bed shortly after. Keep the treats hidden out of sight during the day to avoid temptation.

3. Keep Kids Hydrated

A dry mouth is damaging to dental health. Saliva is a natural cleansing agent that washes away food debris and bacteria. When there’s a lack of saliva in the mouth, oral pH can become too acidic. This wears away enamel, making teeth more susceptible to cavity-causing bacteria and decay. Make sure children are drinking plenty of water throughout the day and during snack and mealtime.

4. Maintain a Strict Oral Hygiene Routine

Ensure that kids are keeping up with brushing and flossing over the Halloween season. Children should be brushing their teeth for two minutes, twice per day. Kids can watch fun two-minute animated videos to ensure that they are meeting this minimal time requirement and getting a thorough clean.

Once the last piece of Halloween candy is gone, schedule a professional teeth cleaning with Craig A. Spletzer, DDS. Located in Fairfield, OH, this family dentist has been serving the community since 1990. Dr. Spletzer and his team offer friendly care for patients of all ages. They also offer teeth whitening and dental implant procedures. Visit their website for a list of services, and call (513) 860-1133 to schedule a dentist appointment.