TIPS FOR PROTECTING TRICK-OR-TREATERS'
TEETH
-Five Things Every Parent Can Do for Kids' Oral
Health at Halloween-
PARSIPPANY, NJ – Halloween
is just around the corner, and no dentist wants
to spook kids or their parents with tales of
tooth decay caused by Halloween candy.
"If a child eats sugary sweets, then goes
to bed without brushing and flossing properly,
the effect can be damaging to young teeth," says
Dr. Scott Navarro, Dental Director, Delta Dental
Plan of New Jersey.
"There's nothing wrong with kids enjoying
a few Halloween treats. The trick is to moderate
their intake of sweets and make sure they stick
to their brushing-and-flossing routine."
Here are some fun and creative ways to protect
your child's smile and encourage good dental
care habits this Halloween.
- Serve a healthy supper. A good meal before
trick-or-treating leaves less room for sugary
sweets.
- 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.
If possible, allow candy to be eaten only at
specific times, and make sure that children
brush afterward.
- Offer tooth-friendly fare to trick-or-treaters.
Consider sugar-free treats or travel sizes
of toothpaste and dental floss. Just remember
that although treats like dried fruit might
be more nutritious than gummy candy, both hold
decay-producing acid against teeth for longer
periods of time than other snacks.
- 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.
- Encourage kids to drink water throughout
the day. This is important especially after
eating sweets. It will help rinse sugar away
from teeth until there is time for proper brushing.
- Brush before bedtime. Offer your child a
new, brightly colored toothbrush as a final
Halloween treat. Insist on a good brush before
bedtime.
Source: Delta Dental Plans Association
Delta
Dental Plan of New Jersey, Inc., is New Jersey’s
and Connecticut's leading dental benefits
carrier, providing coverage to more than
one million people through contracts with
employers in New Jersey and Connecticut.
The Delta Dental Plan system is a national
network of independently operated, not-for-profit
dental service corporations specializing
in providing dental benefits programs for
employee groups throughout the country. For
more information visit us on the Web at www.deltadentalnj.com.
