Tips to Maintain Children’s Oral Health during Halloween
With Halloween around the corner, it is important to take extra care of your children’s oral health. Sugar is prevalent in foods year-round, but during the months when treats and snacks are in abundance, we need to be extra cautious to prevent tooth decay. To help you and your family enjoy Halloween, here are some tips to keep your child's teeth happy and healthy.
Choose Healthier Options
Avoid sticky candies like taffy and caramel that get stuck to your teeth. Chocolates are a better option than the sticky and sour candies. Consider healthier alternatives to candy such as whole fruit, nuts or fresh veggies.
Practice Moderation
Children are going to want to overindulge in sugary treats. Instead of enjoying the sweets throughout the day, try to set specific times to like right after lunch or dinner. This will help to reduce the number of times per day the bacterial acids are attacking the teeth.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking water is beneficial for your overall health. It also helps wash away the food particles and can reduce the acids caused by sugary treats. Encourage your children to drink water throughout the day, especially after sugary treats.
Oral Hygiene
Encourage brushing with fluoride toothpaste right after enjoying sweet treats. Remember to brush at least twice a day and floss daily to remove any food between your teeth.
It is important to practice good oral hygiene throughout the year and to take the necessary steps to protect your child’s teeth. Children should have their first dental visit by their first birthday. Regular dental checkups are important for people of all ages to maintain healthy oral hygiene habits.
The UIC College of Dentistry offers services in comprehensive, urgent, and specialty care. If you would like to schedule an appointment with our Pediatric Dentistry Clinic, please visit https://dentistry.uic.edu/patients/request-an-appointment.