Fall is upon us and Halloween is right at our doorstep! As much spooky fun as the day brings in, Halloween is also famous for the sweet treats that are sure to end up in your children’s tummies.
While we do want you and your children to enjoy these joyous times, it’s important to be aware of the best ways to keep your little ones’ teeth strong and healthy during this holiday. In this article, our best kids dentists in Dubai will share some of the top tips and tricks to survive Halloween and ensure good oral health.
Tips To Keep Smiling Right This Halloween
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), parents must ensure that their children have access to good oral care practices and routines right from early childhood. As a part of this, pediatric dentists in Dubai and across the world urge parents to be aware of the effects of consuming sugary foods, especially throughout the Halloween season.
While we understand that it may be hard to take care of your child’s teeth during this holiday, there are ways to minimize the negative impact of consuming Halloween treats by following these simple tips and tricks-
- Know your candies better
Sugar is a tricky substance to deal with. When children consume large amounts of sugary treats and candies, the substance leaves a residue on their teeth, which cannot be washed away by saliva. The residue acts as a breeding ground for oral bacteria, which in turn can lead to cavities if not removed properly.
There are many kinds of candies out there in the market, including sugar-free varieties. As a parent, it’s wise to invest a little bit of time in understanding candies and how they affect your child’s teeth when consumed. Today, there are many gums and lollipops made out of xylitol, which is a tooth-friendly sugar substitute. If your little one has a sweet tooth and cannot forgo his/her sweet treats, consider getting and sharing sugar-free candies this Halloween.
- Nutty treats
You can encourage your children to ditch the sticky candies for some nutty treats, as the latter helps in removing the sugar that is stuck to their teeth. The crunch of the nuts can stimulate saliva production, which cleans out their teeth. Nuts such as walnuts are also rich in folic acid, magnesium, iron, and potassium, nutrients that are known to contribute to better oral health.
Even so, chunky parts of some nuts may stick to the gaps between your little one’s teeth. To be on the safer side, always insist on brushing and flossing after consuming these treats.
- Encourage your little one to sip water
Drinking plenty of water after consuming sugary foods is a great way to remove excess acid in your kid’s mouth. Consuming a lot of candies and treats causes excess acid formation in your little one’s mouth. Sipping on the water can wash away the acid, making it harder to stick around on the teeth enough to cause cavities.
- Monitor your child’s sugar consumption
For some children, Halloween becomes a celebration of their sweet tooth. Even with the sugar-free and better varieties of treats, letting your child munch on sugary foods throughout the day is not advisable. One way to monitor and exercise a little control over your child’s sugar intake during Halloween is by letting them eat sweets after meals. This is because saliva production is highest during mealtimes, which helps in removing a lot of sugar residues from the teeth when consumed after their regular foods. So let your little one enjoy his/her sweet treat, while you can safely curb their intake.
- Consider safer sweet treats
There are better sweet treats than sticky candies including dark chocolates and fresh-fruit-based sweets. While these are not exactly the best options, they are better than candies that stick to the teeth such as taffies, gummy bears, and candy corn.
- Practice good oral hygiene
Lastly, remind your little one to brush their teeth after consuming the sweets. Ideally, children should be brushing their teeth twice a day, once in the morning and once at night right before bed. They should also be taught to floss as early as possible to safely remove food debris from between their teeth. Using fluoride-based toothpaste is also a great way to protect their enamel and reduce the instances of cavity formation.
The next steps
After you and your children have safely navigated Halloween, our Pediatric dentists in Dubai recommend taking your children to their regular dental appointments without slacking off. Regular checkups will help your kid’s dentist determine their dental health and recommend steps to combat cavities better. If required, the dentist will recommend silver diamine fluoride (SDF), a new, painless treatment option, where the SDF liquid brushes on a tooth to minimize the progress of dental decay and help delay filling the cavity.
If your child does have bigger cavities that require filling or has a tooth that has seen accelerated decay requiring a root canal and crown, your kid’s dentist will guide you and present the best treatment plan. For more information, contact our dental clinic in Dubai today.
