We’re officially in October, which means your kids are going to be planning their Halloween trick-or-treat experience. We love this holiday too, but we don’t love the rise in tooth decay risks. In today’s blog, your Columbia, TN, dentist talks about how families can safeguard smiles against the risk of candy-related cavities.
Candy and Tooth Decay
When kids come home with a major haul of candy, don’t let them binge it all in a day or two. Try to limit how much they consume to a few pieces a day, and just after meals, so increased saliva production helps remove the particles of sugar left behind. You can also encourage them to avoid sticky and chewy pieces in favor of milk chocolate options, which are easier to remove with brushing and flossing. Some parents even offer kids the chance to trade their candy in for a small amount of money or a fun toy, so they get to trick or treat without exposing their teeth to harmful levels of sugar. If you hand out treats at your home, then consider options free of sugar, such as Halloween stickers, spooky party favors, or temporary tattoos.
At-Home Oral Hygiene
Along with limiting their intake of candy, make sure they care for their teeth each day to remove stray sugar particles. Kids should brush for at least two minutes when they wake up and then again before they go to bed. Each session should involve a small amount of fluoride toothpaste to help strengthen the teeth. Flossing is crucial too and should happen before they brush in the evening, so the bits of sugar caught between teeth can be removed. You can assist your toddlers and monitor older children, and even time them with a song, video, or sand timer to help ensure they clean for at least two minutes.
Checkups and Fillings
You can bring your kids in for a checkup too! We will watch for signs of developing decay and also clean the teeth, a process that not only removes sugar, but harmful plaque and tartar buildup too, so the risk of cavities is much lower. Our team can also discuss preventive treatments to help strengthen the outer enamel and keep cavities at bay, such as fluoride treatments during each checkup visit. We also have dental sealants, which coat the hard-to-reach rear teeth and prevent cavities from forming there, so kids enjoy better oral health. If you have any questions, contact our team today to learn more.
Learn More About Preventing Cavities With Creekside Family Dentistry!
Our team wants to make sure your family avoids issues with sugar-related tooth decay. Give us a call today at Creekside Family Dentistry in Columbia, TN at (931) 388-3384 to schedule your appointment!
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