Our team offers preventive dentistry to help kids (and adults) enjoy strong and healthy smiles, fighting the onset of tooth decay. With Halloween around the corner, we want to remind parents about the risk candy poses to little smiles. We also have a few tips for keeping little smiles strong and free of cavities, from care in our office to better oral hygiene habits at home! In today’s blog, your Grand Prairie, TX, dentist talks about preventive dentistry during the spooky season. With the right steps, you and your little ones can enjoy your Halloween without an increased risk of tooth decay in the months to come.
The Link Between Candy and Cavities
When kids consume a lot of sugar, this leaves particles behind. They can become stuck on or between the teeth, and when harmful oral bacteria consume these particles, this creates a higher level of oral acidity and coats the teeth in plaque. The buildup can increase in severity with time and even harden into tartar. These layers are linked to bad breath, stained teeth, and weakened enamel. Cavities then form, and without treatment, can lead to infection or even premature loss of baby teeth! Which is why we want to offer a few tips to help you and your family protect your smiles from the onset of tooth decay and discomfort.
Sugar-Free Treats
You can help lower your child’s risk of cavities by limiting how many of their Halloween treats they can eat each day. Consider only two or three pieces a day, if possible. Try to reserve them for just after dinner, when the increased saliva production can help rinse away sugary particles. Following their treats with a glass of water is hopeful too, as this also helps rinse away particles of sugar from the teeth! You may also consider letting your kids trade their candy to you for a small amount of money or a toy, so they can still trick or treat but not leave their smiles vulnerable to tooth decay. You can even donate excess candy to programs like Operation Gratitude, which then gives the treats to soldiers.
If you are going to be handing out treats to kids in your neighborhood or building, then consider options that contain no sugar. For example, you can offer Halloween-related temporary tattoos or stickers. You could also buy spooky party favors, like plastic spider rings and little bats or skeletons. These are fun, and don’t lead to tooth decay. You could also purchase small sealed packages of nuts or trail mix, which are healthier choices and still provide a treat for kids!
Dental Exams and Cleanings
You can also help your child with a visit to our office. For example, a checkup is a chance for us to watch for the earliest stages of tooth decay, and provide treatment, such as a dental filling. We use lifelike and metal-free composite resin to provide fillings that look natural and last for years to come. In the same visit, we can conduct a dental cleaning to remove all plaque and tartar from the surfaces of the teeth. This helps lower the risk of cavities and gingivitis, and also brightens the teeth as well. Kids also have a lower risk of bad breath and teeth stains too. In the same visit as your child’s checkup and cleaning, we can apply fluoride to the teeth in a varnish form. This takes seconds and the material can strengthen the enamel to prevent cavities. Since many children have trouble reaching the molars in the back of the mouth when they brush and floss, we can coat them in an acrylic layer known as a dental sealant, which keeps particles of sugar from being caught on or between these teeth. Again, the application takes seconds and sealants can stay in place for up to ten years in some cases.
Brushing and Flossing at Home
You can also continue care at home to protect little smiles. Make sure your kids brush for two minutes when they wake up, using a toothbrush with soft bristles. You can find an age-appropriate option for your kids, and select one with their favorite cartoon characters or superhorse on them. Using a fluoride toothpaste is essential too! You can find this on the packaging, along with the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance. Children ages three and younger need to use a rice sized amount of fluoride toothpaste, while kids over the age of three need to use a pea sized amount. Kids need to do the same in the evening before going to bed. In addition, before your kids brush that second time, make sure they floss up and down each side of every tooth to remove what could be beyond the reach of a toothbrush. These actions help limit the severity of plaque and tartar buildup until we can see your kids for their next cleaning visit. You can also help by offering healthy snacks and meals that are low in sugar and starch. If you have any questions about how our team can help lower the risk of tooth decay, or if you want to take steps to safeguard their little smiles this Halloween and beyond, then contact our team today to get started. We want to help kids enjoy good oral health and shining smiles, and caution is necessary for Halloween throughout the holiday season, when we are all inundated with sugar!
Schedule a Visit to Learn More About Preventive Dentistry
Our team offers preventive dentistry to help kids avoid Halloween-related cavities and enjoy strong and healthy smiles! For more information on preventive and children’s dentistry, then schedule an appointment with Dr. Smith and our team by calling Pecan Tree Dental in Grand Prairie, TX, today at (972) 262-5111. With routine care from our team, kids and adults alike can enjoy better oral health and a more attractive smile, avoiding serious oral health issues down the road and feeling confident in their smiles!
