Post-Halloween Dental Hygiene Tips for Your Children

Halloween candy dental hygiene tips - Boulder Family Dentist Another Halloween is safely in the rearview mirror. Most likely, your children have enjoyed an extended feast on sugary sweets received while trick-or-treating. While this candy may taste great, it can wreak havoc on your children’s teeth and gums if they don’t resume proper oral hygiene practices right away.

 

Sugary snacks can stick to your teeth, producing higher than normal levels of acid in your mouth when this sugar bonds with the bacteria that naturally occur in this region. This acid will eventually erode your tooth enamel and cause tooth decay. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to minimize these harmful effects of Halloween candy over the next few weeks:
 

  • Eat candy in moderation – Rationing out this candy over a long period of time will be less harmful to your children’s teeth than if they get to consume it every day. Try to make this candy a treat that gets enjoyed once or twice a week instead of every day.
     
  • Eat the candy with a meal – Eating a piece of Halloween candy with a meal will minimize the effect of the sugar on your children’s teeth. Your mouth produces saliva when you eat, and this will help wash away some of the sugar that sticks to your children’s teeth after they consume a piece of candy. This saliva will also help neutralize the acid that wears away at your children’s tooth structure.
     
  • Drink plenty of water – Drinking water after consuming candy will help rinse the sugar from the surface of your children’s teeth. And unlike sugary drinks such as soda or juice, water doesn’t contribute to tooth decay.
     
  • Brush and floss daily – Brushing and flossing daily is still one of the most important things your children can do to combat cavities. Make sure your children brush at least twice daily for two minutes at a time using a soft-bristled toothbrush. Flossing should be done once daily. For even more effective results, have your children brush right after eating their Halloween candy.
     
  • Visit your dentist – Late November is a great time to schedule a dental checkup and teeth cleaning for your children. This visit will help remove any plaque and tartar that has built up due to the frequent consumption of Halloween candy.

Dr. Adler offers a wide range of family dentistry services for families in the Boulder area. He understands the unique oral health issues which impact children, and he can help your children maintain optimal levels of oral health as they grow up.
 

Please contact Adler Advanced Dentistry using the form on this page or call today to schedule an appointment. We serve families in Boulder, Denver and the surrounding areas of Colorado.

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