Although dental emergencies can occur year-round, Halloween happenings can sometimes increase your family’s risk of ending up in the dental chair. Here are some safe, effective tips and tricks to let you enjoy your treats without fear of accidentally developing a frightful smile.
Don’t Be Tricked
Trick or treat is kind of a rhetorical question, because how often does anyone really pick “trick”? However, just because your little one got their preference doesn’t mean it’s good for them. Here are a few categories of candy you should pass directly into the trashcan if possible:
- Candies that are excessively sticky or chewy such as taffy, gummies, or caramels can cling to the teeth and increase the risk of cavities. They can also loosen dental restorations and damage orthodontic equipment.
- Hard candies like Jolly Ranchers can chip or crack teeth when crunched and keep your little one’s tiny teeth saturated in sugar until they finally dissolve.
- Sour candies are full of citric acid which can wear down your child’s enamel and aggravate sensitive teeth.
Smart swaps for these terrifying treats include chocolate, sugarless gum, licorice, and candy corn. If you’re choosing the treats to pass out to your neighborhood, you can even opt for small treasures and toys like stickers, erasers, squishy toys, rubber bracelets, and pencils.
Fuel Your Engine
It can be hard to say no to an onslaught of sweets on an empty stomach, so be sure to have your family eat a hearty dinner before hitting the Halloween scene. That way, your little ones won’t want to binge on all those delicious desserts the moment they get home, and they’ll have enough energy to fill their basket before bedtime!
Get Your Just Desserts
Many parents wonder when the best time is for their child to enjoy their Halloween haul. Dentists recommend allowing them just one piece a day, preferably right after dinner. This way, they’ll benefit from the excess saliva in their mouth washing away the sugars from their smile, and they won’t need to wait long before their bedtime brushing to clean off the rest!
Light Up the Night
While you may know your neighborhood like the back of your hand in broad daylight, wandering even the safest sidewalks can be very dangerous at night. Uneven pavement, objects in the walkway, and even other kids can be hard to see in the dark, increasing your risk of falling and knocking out a tooth. Thus, be sure to stick to routes that are well lit, and have your wee ones carry a glow stick or flashlight so they can both see where they’re going and be seen by other pedestrians and drivers!
Halloween Hygiene
Finally, be sure to have your little one brush and floss their teeth before hitting the hay this Halloween and encourage them to continue doing so regularly every other day of the year. Even if their spooky smile is far from a ghoulish grin, don’t forget to bring them in every six months for their regular dental checkups and cleanings and their pearly whites will stay strong and healthy.
Remember, although Halloween can sometimes be straight up scary, there’s no need to put you and your child’s smile at risk. Thus, to avoid oral health horrors this spooky season, be sure to follow the above tips, and reduce your risk of dangerous dental emergencies all year long!
About Dr. Rich
Dr. Cher Rich wants you to have the safest, happiest Halloween ever, but in order to do so, you should do your best to avoid these dangerous oral habits. In the chance the unthinkable occurs, don’t wait to get help- call us as soon as possible for an emergency dental appointment at 281-469-6281.