Are you ready for Halloween and the impending candy frenzy?!? With the start of the holidays and the sweet treats that tend to go along with the season, Dr. Michelle Stafford, a Board Certified Pediatric Dental Specialist here in Portland offers some great tips for parents.
- Save candy for special occasions, like holidays, birthdays and other special days. We recommend a “Family Fun Night” once a week where kids know they will get special treats like candy, ice cream or pie. That way they have something to look forward to and do not expect sweets every day, which are not good for our teeth nor our overall health. Try to keep those sweets limited to right after mealtime. Candy between meals allows that sugar to sit on teeth longer increasing the odds of developing cavities.
- After your child indulges on Halloween candy (or any other special day), rinse with water or milk and then brush and floss right before bed – and be sure to brush for the full TWO minutes. Some parents find that their children are most excited to brush if they have a special electric toothbrush, such as a Kids Sonicare or spin brush.
- Parents should assist with brushing until age 7 since children develop the motor skills necessary for proper brushing the same time they master cursive writing.
- After Halloween decide which candies should “disappear” the day afterward. Sticky and sour candies are the very worst for teeth (even fruit snacks, fruit leathers, and some dried fruits) – getting caught in deep grooves and wearing away the protective enamel on the outside of the tooth which protect against cavities. Choose a piece of chocolate over Laffy Taffy, Jolly Ranchers or suckers.
- If your child has a “Sweet Tooth” try switching for a gum that contains Xylitol such as Trident or Orbit. Xylitol occurs in nature and has been shown to fight the oral bacteria that causes cavities!
- Bring your child with their candy to World of Smiles to participate in the Annual Candy Exchange. All kids are invited to bring their unopened Halloween Loot in and trade for toys. All hard candies will be donated to Operation Gratitude for troops overseas. You can even bring a letter to send with the candies to help encourage our soldiers during this holiday season.
World of Smiles, Pediatric Dentistry will be hosting their candy exchange November 1st – 9th during regular business hours at 11790 SW Barnes Rd, Suite 280, Portland OR 97225. For more information, check out www.visitworldofsmiles.com/community or find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/visitworldofsmiles
