Is it possible to enjoy Halloween without wreaking havoc on your fangs (oops, we mean smile)? Absolutely! These tooth-friendly trick-or-treating goodies are just fine for your children to enjoy.
- Sugar Free Gum
Sugar free gum may contain xylitol, which is a natural sweetener that fights cavities and protects teeth by strengthening our enamel. The friction of gum chewing even helps prevent plaque buildup, making it a great choice after meals or when brushing may not be possible.
- Anything Chocolate is Relatively Safe
Chocolate melts in your mouth and comes off your teeth easily! As long the chocolate in questions isn’t mixed with super-sticky caramel or crunchy toffee, eating chocolate is not a big problem because it won’t stick to your teeth for hours. Dark chocolate is also lower in sugar, which makes it better for your tooth enamel than typical milk chocolate varieties.
- Glow in the Dark Anything
Looking for something completely calorie-free to hand out this Halloween? What could be better for your teeth than something that’s completely sugar free, like glow-in-the-dark necklaces, fun costume jewelry, or stickers? Plus, glow sticks make nighttime trick-or-treating more fun and easier to see where people are walking. FUN!
- Wait to Brush Your Teeth After Eating Sugary Treats
After eating anything with sugar in it, be sure to wait at least half an hour before brushing. This allows saliva to neutralize acid which may be in the item consumed or a by product of the bacteria that live in our mouth consuming the sugar we feed them. If you brush right after this acid attack has occurred, the enamel can be softened a bit and brushing can lead to enamel erosion and a higher risk of cavities. This is more problematic when it occurs frequently over the course of many years as enamel is very hard and durable.
- Drink Lots of Water
Encouraging our children to sip on water is a great way to neutralize any acidic content in the mouth while washing food or sugars away. Water also contains fluoride which helps protect and strengthen dental enamel. This is a great life-long habit to start with young children.
Sweet Tooth Giving You Trouble?
Sweet sensitivity is usually a red flag for tooth decay. If your child has sensitive teeth after enjoying their Halloween treats, be sure to call Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan for a quick exam as something may be going on with a tooth that is causing this sensation. We want to catch problems early before they becoming a bigger issue.
