Are Your Teeth Ready for Halloween Candies?

Toothbrush and dental hygiene waxed tape mint floss by wash basin at night still life color photo.

Your kids are probably excited about Halloween, what with their great costume, and an even greater selection of Halloween treats they can get when they go Trick or Treating. Of course, you want your child to enjoy! But you do not want as a toothache to affect their memory of this year’s Halloween?

 

Keep your children’s teeth safe from scary cavities this season by considering these tips:

 

Shoo Chewy Candies!

There are candies like caramels, gummies, and taffies that just find their way into the grooves and pits of your kids’ teeth where they stay stuck for a while. These sticky candies get stuck on your teeth and their saliva just can’t wash them away. If a toothbrush is not handy, at least make them drink a glass or a bottle of water to swish away some of the sugars.

 

Eat Now, Treat Later

Never let your child out on an empty stomach, and make sure they have a nutritious meal. When you chew during a meal, it stimulates your saliva which has protective enzymes that can protect teeth against cavities. On top of that, you’ll feel more relaxed knowing that with that full tummy, your child would probably have a smaller room for sweets!

 

Give Away Good Treats

As a parent, you hope your kid would get some teeth-friendly treats when he or she goes Trick or Treating. If that’s the case, then there is no reason for you not to give away those kinds of candies, right? Be the “responsible parent” in your street who hands out sugar-free hard candies, lollipops, and gums. It won’t hurt to throw in a little reminder to brush teeth when you give those treats out.

 

Remember Your Routine

The fact that it is Halloween and your child is tired from Trick or Treating should not keep you from enforcing your usual oral routine at home. If anything, now is the time to spend an extra minute or two when you brush your teeth. Do not forget to floss as this can greatly help in removing sugars that your toothbrush missed.

 

Halloween is a fun holiday that should never be ruined by a terrible toothache. Make sure you let your child know of his or her limitations and responsibilities. Set a limit on the number of candies allowed in a day, and make sure that those tiny teeth are brushed, flossed, and rinsed well before bed time!

 

 


 

Helpful Resources

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For more information, visit the Health Canada Children’s Dental Health.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

Contact Pickering Square Dental to book your appointment with Dr. Marvin Lean. Call us at (905) 420-1777 or visit us at 1450 Kingston Rd, Unit #4, Pickering, ON.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I visit the dentist?

The Canadian Dental Association recommends visiting your dentist at least twice a year for regular check-ups and cleanings. Some patients may need more frequent visits depending on their oral health needs. Call Pickering Square Dental at (905) 420-1777 to schedule your next appointment.

Do you accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)?

Yes, Pickering Square Dental participates in the Canadian Dental Care Plan. Our team can help you understand your coverage and ensure you receive the dental care you need. Contact us for more details about CDCP eligibility and benefits.

What services does Pickering Square Dental offer?

We offer a full range of dental services including family dentistry, emergency dental care, sedation dentistry, dental implants, laser dentistry, teeth whitening, root canal therapy, dental extractions, periodontal care, and cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Lean and our team serve patients in Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, and Scarborough.

Tooth-friendly Treats on Halloween

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As October’s end approaches the days are getting shorter, the leaves are starting to fall, and it’s just about time for little ghosts and goblins to start making their way from door-to-door in search of tricks or treats.  Halloween is one of the best kid holidays of the year – dressing up, going out at night, and getting free candy – what’s not to like?  However, as with many things kids enjoy a candy-based holiday like Halloween doesn’t always have the best impact on dental health.  It’s our responsibility to make sure that whatever candy they do have doesn’t result in cavities.

Things to Give Out

Sugar-free candy is your best bet for helping out visiting spectres and superheroes with keeping their dental hygiene in good standing.  Sugarless gum is a great choice as well as the chewing action can help fight bacteria through increased saliva production.  Let’s be honest though, we remember what it felt like when we got to the house that gave out raisins for Halloween.  We did not care for it.  You may not want to be the neighbour that gives out sugar-free gum.  So if you’re looking for something the kids will love that will cause the least issues with their teeth you should go with something chocolate.  The chocolate melts quickly in comparison to harder candies and therefore does less harm.  Avoid chocolates with sticky centres and you’ll make both the kids and their dentists happy.
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Dealing with What Your Kids Bring Home

The other side of the Halloween coin is the haul your kids bring in from their evening adventure.  This can vary in size and quality greatly depending on your neighbours and your child’s work ethic.  Of course eating all that candy right away can create issues for their teeth and for their tummy so it’s best to take action to make sure that doesn’t happen.  The first step, favoured by parents for years, is to divide the candy into increments to be enjoyed throughout the month.  Once this is done don’t let them snack on it throughout the day as that can had adverse effects on their dental health – set it up as a dessert after a bigger meal. 

Additionally you can attempt to get them to trade some candy, perhaps for a little bit of change for their piggy bank or for something else they might want.  Use your imagination to get a little more candy out of their hands to protect them in the long run.  That said, don’t go eating all that candy yourself.  What goes for kids’ teeth goes for yours too!

If you’re looking to get your teeth checked out after too much sugar that may or may not have been related to Halloween, the team here at Pickering Square Dental is ready to help.  Contact us today.

Helpful Resources

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For more information, visit the Canadian Dental Association Oral Health.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

Contact Pickering Square Dental to book your appointment with Dr. Marvin Lean. Call us at (905) 420-1777 or visit us at 1450 Kingston Rd, Unit #4, Pickering, ON.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I visit the dentist?

The Canadian Dental Association recommends visiting your dentist at least twice a year for regular check-ups and cleanings. Some patients may need more frequent visits depending on their oral health needs. Call Pickering Square Dental at (905) 420-1777 to schedule your next appointment.

Do you accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)?

Yes, Pickering Square Dental participates in the Canadian Dental Care Plan. Our team can help you understand your coverage and ensure you receive the dental care you need. Contact us for more details about CDCP eligibility and benefits.

What services does Pickering Square Dental offer?

We offer a full range of dental services including family dentistry, emergency dental care, sedation dentistry, dental implants, laser dentistry, teeth whitening, root canal therapy, dental extractions, periodontal care, and cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Lean and our team serve patients in Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, and Scarborough.