Sure, Halloween for most is about getting a good scare, but one of the worst Halloween nightmares for parents is their kid’s dental visit in the months following the holiday. Collectively, Americans consume about 100 million pounds of candy each Halloween. According to Fortune magazine, some kids will eat as much as 3 full cups of sugar after a successful haul trick-or-treating.
To do Halloween a little smarter and healthier this year, our office got together and came up with these smart, creative tips for parents. Incorporate some or all of these strategies to keep your little ghost or goblin from thrashing their teeth this Halloween season.
Tip #1 – Eat Dinner Before Trick-or-Treating
When it comes to candy consumption, one of the worst days for most kids is Halloween. Some estimates suggest kids will eat the equivalent of nearly 170 sugar cubes the day they go trick-or-treating. To help keep your kids from filling empty space in their tummies with chocolate, nougat, and sugar, make sure you eat a big meal before you start ringing doorbells.
Tip #2 – Ration Your Kids’ Candy Stash
Some parents allow their kids free rein on the treats they horde during Halloween, but as health care professionals we strongly discourage this habit. Instead, try using a standard container, such as a sandwich bag or small bowl too measure and allow your kids a small portion of candy each day. Not only will they stretch out their candy bar and goodie supply, but it will help limit their unhealthy calorie intake and cavity-causing sugar exposure.
Tip #3 – Only Give Treats after Meals
Similar to the reasoning behind eating dinner before trick-or-treating, giving your kids treats after they eat a meal may help them consume less sugar and ensure they’re still getting the nutrition they need for their growing bodies. Another benefit of this practice is that the natural oral health systems of their mouth, such as their saliva glands, will already be working. This can help mitigate decay from sugar.
Tip #4 – Keep Some Sugar-Free Gum Around the House During Halloween
Speaking of the protective benefits of saliva, one of the best ways to make sure your kids keep sugar off their teeth and counteract its damage is to encourage them to chew sugar-free gum. Saliva helps keep your teeth and gums healthy in a number of ways, and sugar-free gum usually has an ingredient called Xylitol in it, which has been shown to decrease the number of unhealthy bacteria in your mouth.
Tip #5 – Use Halloween as an Oral Health Teaching Opportunity
Halloween is good fun and you probably don’t want to deny your kid the cool experience of dressing up and getting a bunch of free candy. However, do try to use it to teach healthy moderation and the benefits of making good oral health choices. This can be especially beneficial for little ones who probably don’t know why pretzels are healthier for their teeth than a chewy candy bar. Take some time to explain how too much sugar can damage your kid’s teeth and gums.
Thanks for Reading!
We want to wish all our readers a safe and happy Halloween! Enjoy all the sweets responsibly, and make sure to brush twice and floss daily. If you enjoy our blog, please visit our Facebook page to see the newest posts.