Halloween will be here before you know it, and with it comes an increased risk of cavities for kids (and for the adults who steal their candy). But your West Allis, WI, dental team has a few tips and preventive treatments to help lower the risk of tooth decay for kids of all ages.
Halloween and Tooth Decay
When kids consume a lot of candy, this exposes their teeth to sugary content. Options with sticky ingredients like caramel are especially harmful. The particles of sugar are consumed by harmful bacteria, which leaves behind plaque buildup, coating other teeth and weakening the enamel to cause cavities. To help lower the risk of cavities, you can take a few steps. For example, limit how much candy they can eat per day to a piece of two, and reserve them for after dinner, when the boost in saliva production can help rinse away the particles. You could also offer them the opportunity to choose their favorite pieces and then trade the rest to you for a small amount of money or a fun toy. If you will be handing out sweets this year, consider offering non-candy selections like stickers, temporary tattoos, or Halloween-related party favors that can be bought in bulk for a small amount of money!
Protecting Kids from Home
At home, make sure your kids are taking time to brush for two minutes when they wake up and then again before they go to bed. Each time, they should use an age-appropriate toothbrush and a small amount of fluoride toothpaste. You can monitor them and help time them with a song or video. Before they brush in the evening, make sure they floss up and down each side of every tooth to remove what a toothbrush cannot, and to help fight cavities that could form between the teeth.
Cavity Prevention in Our Office
Consider an appointment now or just after Halloween, so we can remove harmful plaque and tartar buildup with a cleaning, and then offer preventive treatments to help lower the risk of cavities, such as the application of fluoride to strengthen the outer layer of enamel. We could also protect the molars, the rear teeth kids have a difficult time reaching when they brush and floss. The sealants take seconds to apply and provide up to ten years of protection for the rear teeth! If you have any questions about Halloween cavity prevention, contact our team today.
Ask Our Team About Keeping Smiles Cavity-Free
Our team wants to help kids (and you too) avoid the onset of cavities due to Halloween sweets. To schedule an appointment with Stubbs Family Dentistry in West Allis, WI, call our team today at 414-541-8250.
