{We’ve loved having Metropolitan Pediatric Dental sponsor so many of our playdates and are thrilled to have them partnering again for this sponsored post. Check out their great advice for a Healthier Halloween!}
There is no doubt that your kids (and you!) will be consuming excessive amounts of candy this week. There are Halloween parties at school, church, and of course the big night of trick-or-treating. It seems everywhere you turn, someone is handing out sweet treats.
Sweets can still be part of the fun on Halloween; as long as parents help their children practice moderation and proper oral hygiene to keep their little mouths healthy.
After a night of candy collecting, kids love to dive into their stash and begin sorting. Before they get started, remember that when it comes to little teeth, not all sweet treats are created equal. We recommend you print the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry’s grid below to help guide you and your children toward more tooth-friendly treats.
The Pediatric Dentists at Metropolitan Pediatric Dental, along with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommend the following when it comes to candy consumption:
- Avoid gummies, caramels, and sour candies. Chewy, sticky candies get stuck in the pits and grooves and in between teeth, making it hard for saliva to wash them away and ultimately leading to tooth decay. Sour candies have a high acid content, which breaks down tooth enamel, making teeth more susceptible to cavities.
- Better choices include milk chocolate and snack-size packets of pretzels or crackers. These options are less sticky and do not have high acidity. However, it is important to limit frequent snacking. A child’s dental health actually depends less on what they eat and more on how often they eat it.
- Best options for sweet treats are sugar-free gum and dark chocolate. Dark chocolate contains antioxidants like tannins, polyphenols, and flavonoids that can inhibit bacteria from sticking to the teeth, preventing infections in gums and battling tooth decay. Sugar-free gum made with xylitol promotes the growth of tooth-protective, non-acidic bacteria, which can make it difficult for bacteria and plaque to form.
- Non-food alternatives like temporary tattoos, stickers, and glow-sticks are great options to pass out instead of candy. This is especially helpful for children with food allergies.
But, let’s face it, most kids don’t look forward to Halloween for the temporary tattoos, sugar-free gum, and dark chocolate. And that’s ok. If kids are indulging in any kind of candy, make sure they drink plenty of water after eating their treats. Encourage them to swish the water around in their mouths to dislodge the candy stuck in their teeth and don’t let them go to bed without brushing and flossing.
So what should you do with all of the Halloween candy? Set the number of treats that your child can keep, ensure your kids are eating them at set times to reduce frequent exposure and throw away the rest. This will save you from sneaking treats, too!
For more information on your child’s oral health, visit MetroPediatricDental.com/childrens-care.
Other resources including games, apps, and coloring sheets related to children’s dental health can be found here!
Metropolitan Pediatric Dental is dental practice for infants, toddlers, big kids, tweens, and teens with locations throughout the Twin Cities including St. Paul, Fridley, North Oaks, and Eagan.
Visit them online at MetropediatricDental.com
Metropolitan Pediatric Dental is a proud sponsor and supporter of Twin Cities Mom’s Blog.
