Tips From Your Burlington Dentists

HALLOWEEN CAN BE FUN, SAFE, AND HEALTHY!

Halloween is a fun and exciting night for the young and the big ones! Always keep safety in mind by following some simple rules: choose a safe and weather-appropriate costume, see and be seen! When the night is over, the fun continues with all the treats collected.

Here are some tips to enjoy the after party while keeping the smiles healthy!

1) Triage the treat bag carefully. Discard any treats that are unwrapped or loosely wrapped.

2) Consider taking away or limit the treats that are more likely to cause cavities. Very sticky candies, such as caramel and taffy, will remain longer on the teeth surfaces. Avoid also sucking a long period of time on hard candy as it prolongs the exposure to sugar. Sour candies can be very harmful as well as the acidity of the candy will damage the enamel of the teeth.

3) Teach moderation and set a time for eating treats. Sweets should preferably be eaten with other foods and during meal time only. The presence of other foods increases production of saliva which helps minimizing the action of sugar. Also, some foods like apples, carrots and hard cheese can have a “brushing” effect on teeth so it’s a good idea to end any meal with those.

4) Practicing good oral hygiene is always the key! After eating candy, kids and adults need to brush their teeth and floss, or at least rinse with water. If age permits, chewing sugar-free gum also helps. Don’t let the little ones fall asleep with candy in their mouth or without brushing their teeth, even for a short nap. First, it can be a choking hazard. Second, since saliva production is reduced during sleep, the damage done by sugar will be much worse!

5) The use of fluoride toothpaste will help prevent cavities. Fluoride can “reverse” the action of sugar on teeth, it is however not recommended for children under the age of 3.

Have a safe and happy Halloween!

Dr. Long Vo and Dr. Julie Dao

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Tips From Your Burlington Dentists: Have Fun On Halloween by Dentist Dr. Long Vo and Dentist Dr. Julie Dao

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Tips From Your Burlington Dentists

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