Halloween means fun costumes, scary movies and stories, and of course, trick or treating. But too much candy could put your child’s smile, and yours too, at risk of developing cavities. In today’s blog, your Newhall, CA, dentist wants to offer a few helpful tips to let you enjoy your Halloween fun without putting your smile at risk.

The Link Between Candy and Tooth Decay

Candies of all kinds contain a lot of sugar. While this makes them taste good, it also increases the risk of cavities. When kids and adults alike consume too much candy, this leaves behind sugar on and between the teeth. When harmful oral bacteria break down these particles, this leads to decay by coating the teeth in plaque buildup. Plaque also leads to bad breath, teeth stains, and the increased risk of gingivitis. We don’t want people to forego their Halloween fun, so we have a few tips to reduce the risk of cavities forming.

Taking a More Helpful Approach

First, limit how much you and your kids eat each day. Don’t binge, instead just reserve a piece or two for just after dinner. Then wash it down with a glass of water, which helps rinse away trapped food particles. You could also cut back on the ones that are sticky and could cling to teeth, such as taffy or candies with caramel. Parents could also give kids the opportunity to trade their sweets for a toy or money, so they still get to trick or treat without increasing their cavity risk as much. If you’re going to be giving out treats in your neighborhood, then we suggest choosing options like sealed packages of nuts, trail mix, or sugar-free gum. These options taste great and don’t put smiles at risk! In addition, you could opt for candy-free options like party favors, including stickers, tiny toy skeletons, plastic spider rings, or rubber bats.

Boosting Your Family’s Oral Hygiene

Daily care is also essential for avoiding cavities, especially with the holiday season right around the corner. You should make time to brush in the morning and again before bed, each session taking about two minutes. Be sure you use a fluoride toothpaste too! This goes for kids as well. Everyone also needs to floss each evening too, to reach what a toothbrush alone cannot. Finally, be sure to see us soon for a checkup and cleaning visit, so we can watch for the earliest signs of tooth decay and offer a lifelike treatment.

Talk To Your Newhall, CA Dentist About Preventing Dental Cavities

Routine care and better oral health habits help kids and adults alike avoid cavities. If you would like to find out how to help lower your risk of tooth decay, contact your Newhall, CA, dentist, Dr. Tajik, by calling (661) 259-7760.