Halloween is just around the corner – and that means that lots of little ghosts and goblins will be loading up on sugary treats – something your SE Calgary Dentist wants you to be aware of, and try to limit. Halloween candy can be an opportunity for little ones to enjoy treats they wouldn’t normally get – and one or two sugary delights aren’t going to wreck their teeth. We acknowledge that Halloween is a big deal to little kids – so is sharing some sweet advice on how to limit candy that can turn a smile upside down.
Dentists in SE Calgary explain – Tooth Decay isn’t just about eating sugar – it’s about how long the sugar remains on tooth surfaces. So letting your little devil come home from trick or treating with a bag loaded with sticky, sugary delights, and allowing them to spend a couple of hours munching their way through the mound of sweets – is not a good idea. Let’s just say that when it comes to preventing tooth decay – timing is of the essence – and that translates to giving your child a set amount of time to eat candy – ten minutes to eat a few treats – then they’re done. It’s straight to the bathroom to clean and floss their teeth and no more candy that day. Kids who slowly eat a few candies throughout the day are at a far higher risk of developing tooth decay due to the constant exposure to sugars and resulting acid formation – which if left on tooth surfaces attacks enamel and causes dental cavities to form.
The dentists and all practitioners at South Trail Crossing Dental truly care about families’ dental health. We recommend going through your child’s Halloween candy as soon as they get home. The usual dodgy treats in open packets, homemade concoctions, and random pieces of fruit should be thrown out immediately – but also pay attention to removing toffee, hard candy, gobstoppers, and sugary lollipops, as the amount of time it takes to eat this type of candy means that sugar is being swished around the mouth for several minutes. Eating a piece of chocolate, that literally melts in the mouth, and any remnants can be easily rinsed away with a glass of water if brushing isn’t immediately available, is a good choice. Not only will your child’s exposure to sugar be reduced, but any dentistry, orthodontic brackets, or fillings are at less risk of being dislodged by sticky candy.
Everyone wants Halloween to be a safe, fun time, for children. If you limit the type and quantity of Halloween candy – along with the amount of time your child gets to enjoy some treats – you will be doing a great job of reducing the risk of dental cavities. Brushing and flossing after eating any candy is always the goal – but if brushing isn’t an option make sure your child rinses their mouth with water or eats a piece of cheese to eliminate acid formation. South Trail Crossing Dental welcomes questions regarding family dental care in SE Calgary – accepting new patients to South Trail Crossing Dental – Contact this SE Calgary Dentist today.