We’re wrapping up that spooky, creepy, crawly time of year again! This blog post is designed to make sure that the Halloween aftermath is scary only in a make-believe kind of way as the loads of candy sure to be around the house and even at school aren’t scary for your child’s teeth! You don’t have to deprive your little ones of the leftover candy, but you can make this time of year a learning experience for them too.
We know from experience that many of our children have the objective of collecting as much free candy as they can fit into their pillowcases. However, as parents we need to let them know that all good things should to taken in moderation. It can be loads of fund to run through the neighborhood collecting treats with friends, but afterward maybe you and your child will consider donating some of it. Perhaps they can pick out 10 pieces of their favorite treats (or whatever number you decide) and give the rest to a worthy cause. Sounds like a win-win!
As parents, we can also use this time to educate youngsters on the effects of excess sugar and how too much candy consumption can lead to cavities. Also, we can be sure to emphasize brushing, flossing and/or water flossing, especially when candy is consumed.
Of course, the sticky, chewy candy is especially concerning for the teeth because that type can be more difficult to remove and can get stuck between teeth. It is especially concerning for patients wearing braces as it can also have the side effect of breaking or loosening orthodontic appliances, which is very disruptive to progress in treatment.
We hope you all had a very Happy Halloween filled with family fun and adventure but we hope to see you make it through the month no worse-for-wear after this candy coated celebration. So, enjoy the post-holiday candy, if you celebrate, but be sure to keep your teeth from screaming, “Eek!”
About Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan, the offices of Drs. Delaney, Plunkett, Ralstrom, Makowski, Thanasas, Ker, and Associates
Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan have specialized in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics since 1968. Our family-friendly and newly renovated office gives patients and families a more comfortable and consistent experience with dentistry from the very beginning. Our pediatric dentists treat children from newborn to 18 years of age while our orthodontists provide care for both children and adults and are proud to be Preferred Providers of Invisalign and Invisalign Teen services. The ability to treat all patients with compassion and individuality, including those that may have special needs reaches beyond our facility, which has treatment rooms available for children who require additional privacy and customized care options. We pioneered valued hospital affiliations to allow dental services to be performed at DMC Children’s Hospital and St. John Macomb Hospital, when appropriate or necessary, and our specialists are also proud to be on staff at Henry Ford and Beaumont hospitals.
