Halloween is around the corner, which means kids will be trick or treating and getting a massive haul of candy. While we love this holiday too, we also know that a lot of sugar can lead to tooth decay. But your Leawood, KS, dentist wants to offer a few tips for protecting little smiles from the onset of tooth decay during the spooky season!
Sugar and Tooth Decay
When kids eat excessive amounts of sugar, this leaves behind particles for harmful oral bacteria to consume. When this happens, the levels of oral acidity will rise. In addition, the teeth are coated in a layer of sticky material known as plaque, which hardens with time into tartar. The buildup weakens and erodes the outer enamel to allow cavities to form, causing discomfort and increasing the risk of dental infection. Which is why we suggest limiting how much candy kids can eat each day. In addition, make sure they eat their sweets after dinner so the increased saliva production can help rinse away the particles of sugar. Following them with a glass of water is helpful too! If you are going to be handing out candy this year, consider offering sugar-free treats like temporary tattoos, stickers, or Halloween-related party favors like spider rings and plastic skeletons or bats.
Children’s Dentistry
With children’s dentistry, our team can offer treatment to help lower the risk of cavities. Bring them in for a checkup and cleaning soon, so we can watch for signs of developing decay and offer a lifelike filling to protect the tooth. We can also conduct a cleaning to remove all plaque and tartar, keeping the tooth bright and free of tooth decay. We even polish the teeth so it is harder for plaque and tartar buildup to occur before the next six-month visit.
Our team could also offer fluoride treatment to help strengthen the outer enamel. We can place dental sealants on the rear molars, which prevents food and drink particles from being stuck between hard-to-reach teeth. Both take seconds to apply and kids just need to avoid food and drink for about 30 minutes afterward.
Better Homecare Habits
Make sure your kids take time to brush for two minutes when they wake up and then again before bed, and be sure they use a fluoride toothpaste to keep the enamel strong. Flossing before bed is essential too, as this reaches what a toothbrush alone cannot. If you have any questions, contact our team today!
Do You Have Any Questions About Children’s Dental Care?
Our team wants to help kids enjoy Halloween but avoid tooth decay. Call Dreem Dentistry in Leawood, KS by calling (913)681-5500 to learn more about how our team protects little smiles from tooth decay.
