When it comes to taking care of your teeth, the habits you maintain as an adult start with those you established during childhood. For parents, this means impressing the importance of proper dental hygiene — including knowing the best and worst foods for oral health.
Many kids are struggling with this: One in 10 two-year olds (10%), one in four three-year olds (28%) and one in two five-year olds (50%) have one or more cavities.
Cavities happen when bacteria eat away at the tough outer shell (enamel) that protects teeth, and sweets are a main cause of dental decay. This makes Halloween especially difficult to manage for oral health, so we’ve come up with a few alternatives to candy as trick-or-treating approaches.
If you’re a parent living in the San Jose, California, area who’s trying to preserve your child’s oral health and keep their teeth cavity-free, pediatric dentists Dr. Roge Jacob, Dr. Magdalena Azzarelli, and our expert team at Hillsdale Dental Care are here to help.
Many forms of bacteria are beneficial for our bodies, including many that naturally inhabit your gut microbiome, where trillions of bacteria support immune system function. Your mouth also harbors healthy bacteria, but unfortunately, they coexist alongside bad forms of bacteria that can undermine your oral health when they interact with sugar.
When these bacteria combine with sugar (or any carbohydrates), they form acids that eat away at your enamel, in a process called demineralization. This leads to cavities, or holes in enamel also known as dental caries. These holes allow damaging infections in teeth and gums that can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
If your child is experiencing toothaches, pain when eating, and tooth sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures, chances are they have a cavity that requires treatment.
Pretty much everything your child is likely to receive while trick-or-treating is going to be a sugary candy or chocolate confection. Here are some alternative ideas to consider handing out at your own door — or swapping out for some of your child’s haul at the end of the night:
Clementines, grapes, peanuts, granola bars, trail mix, popcorn, and pretzels are just some of the things your child can enjoy this Halloween without overexposing their teeth to sugar. It also helps them get in the mindset of viewing sweets as a special-occasion treat in the future.
Treats don’t even have to be edible: Kids can enjoy yo-yos, kazoos, glow sticks, bracelets, bouncy balls, rings, mazes and finger puppets. Choose entertaining small toys, and your child is bound to enjoy them.
Indulge their creative side with pencils, erasers, stamps, stickers, pencil toppers, mini notebooks, colorful pens, activity kits, and stencils to stimulate their imagination.
Halloween is a fun time to dress up in silly costumes and walk around the neighborhood, but it can also be a great opportunity to encourage your child to develop a healthy relationship with sweets. It also provides a good opportunity to teach your child about the importance of proper brushing and flossing, especially after eating a sugary treat.
Want to learn other dental tips to help keep your child’s teeth healthy? We’re here to help. Call or click online to schedule a visit at Hillsdale Dental Care in San Jose, California, today.
