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Americans hand out 20 million pounds of candy corn alone each
Halloween - enough to give half a pound to every costumed candy-lover ages 5-14. That's not even counting the chocolate, lollipops and other treats.
How can 32 tiny teeth hold up against this onslaught? The trick is to moderate kids' intake of sweets and make sure they stick to their brushing-and-flossing routine, according to Dr. Scott Navarro, dental director, Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey. "Gathering and eating Halloween treats can be a lot of fun for kids and parents alike. The key is to enjoy the treats in moderation and to give teeth a treat too, in the form of a little extra care," Dr. Navarro said.
Here are some fun and creative ways to protect your child's smile and encourage good dental-care habits in the days after Halloween:
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Set up a candy "bank." Allow your child four or five pieces of candy, then store the rest in a sealed container (freeze chocolates and candy bars). Establish times when the "bank" will be open for withdrawals over the next month.
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Make sure candy is age-appropriate. Don't give children ages five and under jawbreakers or hard candies. These can chip teeth or cause choking.
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Encourage kids to drink water throughout the day, especially after eating sweets. It helps rinse sugar away from teeth until there is time for proper brushing.
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Brush before bedtime. Offer your child a new, brightly colored toothbrush as a final Halloween treat. Insist on a good brush before bedtime.
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It's best to wait until after meals to give kids candy from the candy bank, because eating sugary treats after a balanced meal is better than eating them alone. "The body produces more saliva to help digest big meals, which washes away more food and helps neutralize harmful acids before they can attack teeth," Dr. Navarro said.
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