Many parents dread the candy-filled bags of Halloween because of the detriment they can cause to children's teeth. However, there are measures that parents can take to reduce the negative effects of Halloween candy on their children's oral health. Here are a few of them:
Limit the quantity and times of candy consumption.
Although your child will likely want to eat as much candy as possible on the days immediately following Halloween, it often best to schedule their candy-eating episodes. Be sure to specify the amount in addition to the timing. For instance, you could allow your child to have two pieces of candy per day immediately following dinner.
Giving your child specific guidelines can help limit the amount of sugar to which his or her teeth are exposed and set realistic expectations for your child's candy consumption.
Follow the candy with a piece of sugarless gum
If you permit your child to eat Halloween candy as a treat while you are away from home, follow up with a piece of sugarless gum. The sugarless gum will help clean your little one's teeth in the absence of a toothbrush.
Gum's sticky consistency can pull away bits of candy that have become stuck to the teeth. Additionally, as you child chews, more saliva is produced to rinse the sugary candy and plaque away.
If you don't already have a favorite variety of sugarless gum, look for gum that is flavored with cinnamon or sweetened with xylitol. These natural ingredients help kill the harmful bacteria in your child's mouth. Since tooth decay is usually caused by the acid released by oral bacteria after they feed on sugars in the mouth, eliminating the microbes can help keep your youngster's teeth healthier.
Have your child rinse with water intermittently.
Having your child rinse his or her mouth with water during and after the child's candy-eating episode can also be helpful. The water rinses away leftover candy and dilutes acid from the oral bacteria. Additionally, if the water contains fluoride, it can help remineralize your child's teeth.
As your child's tooth enamel is exposed to fluoride, the element attracts dissolved minerals, such as calcium, back to the teeth. Then, it combines with the minerals to form a new tooth material, which can actually resists damage from acid better than your child's original tooth enamel.
To learn more ways to protect your child's teeth from damage during the Halloween season, schedule an appointment with a dentist in your area.
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