How do we survive all of that Halloween sugar?

Spooky season is upon us! Along with the ghosts, skeletons, and jack-o’-lanterns everywhere we look, there’s another spooky thing to keep an eye on: all of that candy. More than likely, you’ve been told of at least six costumes that your little ones want for trick-or-treating, and there’s a chance that the whole time you’ve just been wondering what you’re going to do to survive the inevitable sugar rush.

There are so many different tasty treats that come out around Halloween that it’s hard to withstand the temptations! With the inevitable snacking that’ll happen, it’s important to keep those teeth in good shape. After all, the last thing you want is your little one sneaking candy at midnight, and ending up with a cavity not long afterward.

The best solution varies from family to family, but we have some ideas to help you protect your child’s teeth this Halloween! 

Limit candy consumption.

Setting limits on your child’s candy consumption helps with both the sugar crazies as well as potential tooth decay. Sorting through the candy and setting boundaries about how much they can have a day is a good place to start. If you want them to still get that full, sugary crazy Halloween experience, you can always set the boundaries for the leftovers. Just be sure to really get those teeth clean before bed!

Taking the time to set boundaries and moderate their candy intake is a great place to start to limit the time your children’s teeth are exposed to sugar. Finding a toddler in bed with a bag full of candy is a nightmare in itself!

Choose teeth-friendly treats.

When in doubt, why not replace those sugary treats with some sugar-free alternatives? These are becoming much easier to find in your regular grocery store, and they taste amazing! In fact, you might even find a new favorite treat while you experiment with these alternatives. When you can’t skip the sugar altogether, opt for the low-sugar varieties or explore alternative options such as small toys.

If you have to choose what kind of candies to avoid, watch out for those hard or sticky candies like Jolly Ranchers, suckers, or taffy. These sweets have a habit of staying in the mouth longer, pressing that sugar straight against the tooth enamel the entire time. So, even if you can just avoid those, you will be off to a good start!

Establish a candy time.

Picking a specific time for your children to enjoy their sugary treats can make a big difference. The goal is to let them have the candy a little closer to when it’s time to brush their teeth, limiting the duration the enamel is soaking in sugar. Alternatively, you can try to limit the sugar to meal times. This also reduces the chances of your children grazing on the candy throughout the day, or even at night!

Encourage good oral hygiene.

More than likely, you’ll need to remind your little ones to brush their teeth at least once—especially on a day as exciting as Halloween! Keep on them and make sure they take the time needed to make their teeth squeaky clean. Once those teeth are brushed, keep the candy put up! Remember, you don’t want the sugar sitting on the teeth the entire night.

This is a good time to go over proper brushing techniques with your little ones. We all tend to get into a rush here or there, and we might not be as thorough as we need to be. After eating sweet treats, it’s definitely time to make sure everyone is brushing for the full two minutes and flossing effectively. 

Stay hydrated.

Sometimes it’s not possible to get your kiddos to brush their teeth roughly 30 minutes after they eat their candy. Perhaps you’re at an event or are still busy chasing those little ones around trick-or-treating. Regardless of the reason, drinking water can help wash away that pesky sugar. Remind your little ones that it isn’t a replacement for brushing their teeth, but it can help limit the risks.

Staying hydrated helps maintain oral health, regardless of the season. Drinking adequate amounts of water helps your body produce enough saliva, which works at keeping your teeth free of cavity-causing bacteria. 

Book regular dental checkups.

There are plenty of spooky things going on during Halloween, but here’s one thing you shouldn’t be scared of: the dentist! When the spooky season is over, it’s important to make sure there’s nothing scary going on with your kiddo’s teeth. Of course, that’s what we’re here for! Be sure to get that post-Halloween checkup on the calendar to ensure there’s nothing too spooky going on!

It’s time for a memorable Halloween.

Halloween can be daunting for multiple reasons, especially if you’re wanting to limit the sugar your little ones consume. Try out these tricks to have a fun, safe, and memorable Halloween with your family—and remember, the team at Must Love Kids are here to help your child keep the real frights (tooth decay) away from their teeth.