We love Halloween as much as anyone, but as dental professionals we also know how sugar can cause painful cavities for kids of all ages! Which is why in today’s blog, your Richardson, TX, family dentist is talking about fun sugar-free options to hand out to kids this year! Also, don’t forget about our annual Halloween candy buyback program, more news to come.
Candy and Tooth Decay
When kids eat a lot of candy, especially if these are sticky and chewy sweets, this leaves particles of sugar trapped on and between the teeth. As harmful oral bacteria break down these trapped particles. This causes major changes. The levels of oral acidity rise, and teeth are coated in plaque, a sticky layer that can weaken and erode tooth enamel. The result is an increased risk of cavities! Which is why we want to offer tips for protecting little smiles, as Halloween leads to the holiday seasons, so for the next few months your little ones will be inundated with sugar!
Sugar-Free Options
First, you can provide your kids with healthier sugar-free options. You can find sugar-free sweets and gum that contain options like xylitol, which offers a sweet flavor without the need for sugar. If you are going to be handing out treats in your neighborhood or building this year, consider picking this up in lieu of sugary sweets. You can also offer options like Halloween-themed temporary tattoos, stickers, and even party favors like plastic skeleton rings and bats. You may save money with this route, as the prices of bulk candy bags are much higher than previous years.
Candy BuyBack
Every year after Halloween, our office hosts a candy buyback program, in which we pay kids a dollar per pound for their candy. They can make a little money, enjoy their trick or treating, and also avoid an increased risk of cavities. We then donate the sweets to Operation Gratitude, which sends them to soldiers.
Better Homecare and Visits to Our Office
To help avoid cavities in the months after Halloween, make sure your kids brush and floss daily. Try to limit how many sweets they eat per day, and see our team for a cleaning, so we can remove harmful plaque buildup. We can also discuss dental sealants and require treatments to help fight cavities! If you have any questions, then contact our team to learn more, we look forward to hearing from you!
Your Richardson, TX, Dentist Talks About Avoiding Cavities
We hope you will consider sugar-free options for your Halloween treats this year! For more information on staying free of tooth decay, then please schedule a consultation by calling the Viva Dental Family Dentistry office nearest you at (214) 337-7800 (Dallas) or (972) 437-6000 (Richardson).
