We all know candy can cause cavities, but some types of candy are better or worse than others. Whether you are choosing candy for your child, a party, or trick-or-treaters, think about candy and its effect on oral health.
Chewy candy and popular fruit-flavored candies are tasty and appealing, but they are especially bad for the teeth. These kinds of candies stick to teeth, and the sugar that remains on the teeth can be damaging before the child can brush. Hard candy has been known to chip and break teeth from time to time. If you do not want a child to chip a tooth and require immediate dental care, avoid peppermints and other hard candies in the trick-or-treat bags.
Halloween would not be Halloween without candy. Children can be satisfied with chocolate candy bars that pose less risk to the teeth. Nearly any child will be happy with miniature chocolate bars on Halloween, making them a great option to pass out on Trick-or-Treat night.
After your child comes home from trick-or-treating or a Halloween party, be sensible with the amount of candy you allow him to eat. Let him know he will have more candy to enjoy on another day if he only eats one or two pieces on Halloween night. Remind him to brush and floss his teeth each time he eats candy. It can still be a fun holiday, while taking sensible measures to protect your child’s oral health.
Remember that keeping up with your regular oral hygiene is especially important during Halloween with all of the candy being consumed. If you or your children are due for a check up, it’s an ideal time to schedule an appointment.