5 Tips For Keeping Smiles Healthy During Halloween

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We love Halloween as much as anyone. However, we also know that excessive candy consumption is a recipe for tooth decay. Fortunately, there are ways our Des Moines, IA, patients may avoid the onset of cavities. Let’s look at what can be done to protect smiles from tooth decay.

Protecting Smiles During Halloween

  1. Brush and Floss: Following Halloween, and every day throughout the year, you and your children need to brush your teeth twice a day and floss every night before bed. Routine care helps remove food particles and safeguard the smile against plaque buildup, which occurs when bacteria break down sugar particles.
  2. Buy Your Child’s Candy: What if you offered them a deal? You could allow them to pick out a few favorite pieces, then buy the rest for a nominal amount of money, or allow them to exchange their candy for a toy. You limit their risk of cavities while still letting them enjoy their trick or treating adventure.
  3. Limit How Much They Consume: If they want to keep their candy, limit how many pieces they can eat each day. Say they can have one or two pieces after meals, and let them wash it down with a glass of water, which helps cleanse the mouth.
  4. Schedule a Cleaning: You could schedule a dental cleaning now or after Halloween, so we can remove plaque and make sure you and your child are enjoying healthy smiles. If you schedule one soon, you have a chance to use up your 2018 dental insurance benefits or your flex spending account money before the year ends and these benefits expire.
  5. Offer Candy Alternatives: If you’re handing out candy, why not opt for treats a little less sugary? You could hand out stickers, temporary tattoos, and party favors!

Gateway Dental Group Offers Quality Smile Care

At Gateway Dental Group, we want to make sure your smile remains healthy and cavity-free during the Halloween season. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Burds and his team at Gateway Dental Group, call our office today at (515) 244-9565. Located in Des Moines, IA, we proudly welcome patients from the Des Moines area, and surrounding communities.