Help Your Kids’ Teeth Survive This Halloween with These 5 Tips
Halloween is just around the corner, and many families will be heading out this weekend for spooky fun, parties, and of course, sweets! Halloween is probably the one time of year we let our children indulge in more sweets than we usually would. But have no fear—Smile Essential is here with 5 handy tips to keep your little monsters happy and their mouths healthy this Halloween.
1 Have Dinner Before Trick-or-Treating or Parties
Make sure the kids have a good dinner before they head out for Halloween activities. When they’re full, they’ll be less likely to overindulge in sweets.
2 Keep Up Good Brushing Habits Before Halloween
In the days leading up to Halloween, encourage your kids to brush thoroughly. Let them know that good brushing means they can enjoy more treats. On the day they eat sweets, ensure they clean their teeth two to three times—especially before bed—for a full two minutes each time.
3 Get Rid of the Sweets Quickly
Try to limit how long your kids have access to their Halloween sweets. The longer they snack on sugary treats, the higher the risk of tooth decay. Ideally, aim to get rid of the ‘loot’ quickly. If you can, avoid particularly bad sweets—chewy or sticky sweets that cling to teeth are the worst culprits for causing damage.
4 Stick to Water
Just because your kids are having sweets doesn’t mean they need sugary or fizzy drinks too. A good rule is that if they’re eating sweets, they should only drink water. Water helps minimise any damage by rinsing the mouth and washing away sugar. Encourage them to sip regularly and have a big drink of water once they’ve finished eating.
5 Offer Teeth-Friendly Treats
If your children are old enough, offer them sugar-free gum. Chewing gum helps reduce the risk of tooth decay by stimulating saliva, which neutralises acids in the mouth. Giving them sugar-free gum at the end of their Halloween treat session can help minimise any damage.
Have Fun, Stay Safe, and Brush Well!
With these tips, your kids can enjoy Halloween while keeping their teeth healthy and strong. For more advice or to book a check-up, contact Smile Essential, your family dentist in Leicester.
