Tooth Decay Is the Scariest Monster Haunting the Halloween Season

While monsters are known to come out to play during the Halloween season, the truth is that the most terrifying beasts children will face during this spookiest of the holidays are the harmful bacteria in their own mouths. While everyone knows that garlic repels vampires, silver gets rid of werewolves, and Frankenstein’s creature is afraid of fire, it’s also crucial to remember that you can keep tooth decay at bay with proper oral hygiene, smart eating habits, and regular dental visits. Here’s how to keep your child’s smile in great shape this Halloween.

Watch Your Child’s Sugar Intake

If there’s one thing that frightens dentists, it’s the overwhelming volume of candy thrown around on Halloween. While everyone likes enjoying a sweet treat once in a while, the residue that candy, soda, and other sugary items leave behind in your child’s mouth is the fuel harmful oral bacteria need to multiply rapidly and cause oral infections like tooth decay and gum disease. Make sure your child doesn’t eat too much candy all at once and encourage them to enjoy their sweets with a meal, as the chewing process will help reduce the amount of sugar lingering in the mouth.

Make Sure Your Child Drinks Plenty of Water

Water is the single greatest beverage for your child’s oral and overall health because it is essential to all of the body’s functions and completely free of sugars, dyes, or acids that can harm teeth. When your child is enjoying candy, soda, juice, or any other sweet or acidic item, encourage them to enjoy a tall glass of water with it, as this will help flush away harmful food debris or sugary residues while promoting the ample saliva flow their teeth need to stay healthy. Fluoridated water is best, as it has the added benefit of fortifying the smile against tooth decay.

Know Which Candies Aren’t So Bad

Luckily for all the little ghouls and goblins out there, not all candy is horrible for their teeth. A few items that offer benefits to your child’s oral health include:

• Dark chocolate: Everyone loves chocolate, and dark chocolate is low in sugar, high in antioxidants, and capable of rubbing away plaque and food residue from the teeth during the chewing process.
• Sugar-free gum: Dentists recommend chewing sugar-free gum after meals because it promotes healthy saliva flow and helps dislodge food debris. It also comes in many fun flavors like bubblegum, peppermint, and watermelon.
• Raisins: While raisins are sticky and high in natural sugar, they offer all the nutrients that come with grapes along with the highest known natural concentration of any food.

Nothing ruins a spooky good time quite like the sudden onset of an agonizing toothache. By taking the proper precautions, you can help ensure that your child stays out of your emergency dentist’s office after October 31.

About the Author

Dr. Patrick Crowley earned his dental degree at the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry before completing his Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency. He is also proud to call himself a member of the Oklahoma Dental Association, the American Dental Association, and the Academy of General Dentistry. His office in Edmond offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. For more tips on keeping your kid’s teeth safe from the sugar monsters, contact his office online or dial (405) 751-5515.