It’s that time of year again when ghosts and ghouls roam the streets looking for buckets of candy. With all that sugar, you know that a trip to the dentist is eminent, but if you want to safeguard your children from the worst of the Halloween oral health blues, look no further.
Continue reading to find five tips for celebrating the night without the toothaches that may come with it!
1. Stay Hydrated with Bewitched Water and Magic Potion
Water is crucial for both hydration and keeping your child’s mouth free from food particles and excess sugar. Water on its own might not be very interesting, but with a little Halloween magic your kids will be asking for more.
For bewitched water, add a splash of unsweetened cranberry juice to chilled water before serving. This will make the water slightly fruity and tangy.
For the magic potion, add fresh blueberries to the bottom of a glass and mush them up until they’re pulpy. Then pour in the water and swirl it slowly until the water starts to turn blue and purple.
2. Use Candy as Tokens for Prizes
To secretly limit the amount of candy your children eat, tell them they can choose between eating it or using it to “buy” small non-candy treats like staying up a little late, stickers, or small toys. This will allow them to still enjoy the holiday and trick-or-treating while limiting their sugar intake.
3. Brush Before Bed
The most important thing you can do to protect your child’s oral health is to encourage them to brush their teeth before bed. To make it more engaging and special, try turning off the lights in the bathroom and lighting candles to brush by. Some Halloween music or ambiance from YouTube could also add to the spooky tooth-brushing atmosphere.
4. Trade Spooky Tales
If you’d rather stay in this Halloween, consider gathering the family together to tell spooky stories with a flashlight. There are plenty of resources online for “scary stories for kids.” These will be charming stories like “Pink Jellybean” and “Vindow Viper” that often end with a pun that will scare even the bravest adults.
A non-candy activity like this will allow your family to celebrate the season without resorting to chocolate and suckers.
5. Make Some Creepy Fruit Popsicles
If tasty treats are what your children desire for Halloween, then tasty treats they shall have. You can make homemade popsicles using pureed fruits like berries, bananas, and yogurt. You can add a touch of honey for sweetness, but these should be good enough by themselves. These treats are a fun way to enjoy a cold, sweet snack without added sugars.
So there you have it, five tips that will not only help your children keep their teeth healthy this haunt-a-day season but also let you enjoy Halloween guilt-free. It’s important to bring your family together no matter what the occasion and this could be a good opportunity to teach the value of good oral hygiene.
About the Author
Dr. Susan Podray-Donovan is your friendly neighborhood pediatric dental specialist. She has been an orthodontist for over ten years and enjoys helping her young patients feel at home in the office. Dr. Podray-Donovan earned her dental doctorate at Temple University before earning her Orthodontic Certification. She continues to expand her education through professional organizations to this day. To schedule an appointment at Village Pediatric Dentistry, call (678) 456-5572 or visit the website to learn more.