Welcome to my site! My name is Verity. I work as a receptionist in a dentist office. Every day for the past 20 years, I have come in to the office, worked on paperwork, and greeted patients. I love my job, because it has helped me meet a lot of really wonderful people. I have seen families grow up! But an added benefit from my job is that I have also picked up some small information about dentistry. I'm not one of the dentists, but I do know quite a bit about simple procedures and basic dental hygiene. Hopefully this blog can teach you something, but remember to always consult with your actual dentist for real professional advice!
About Verity Longpar
Here Comes Halloween: How To Protect Your Kids' Teeth From Holiday Candy-Consumption
Eleanor Crawford
School is back in session and summer is officially over, and it's already time to start thinking about all the holidays that are coming up. But the holidays don't just bring opportunities to gather with family and friends—they also bring opportunities for cavities and tooth decay. If you have kids, those are two things that you don't want the holidays to bring. The first holiday of the season you'll need to worry about is Halloween. That's the day when kids go out and gather enough candy to last them a year. It's also enough candy to give them a mouth full of cavities. Luckily, it doesn't need to be that way. Here are four simple steps you can implement to keep your kids from developing cavities while they're loading up on candy.
Start the Season Out with an Exam
You know your kids are going to go hog-wild with the candy during the holidays, especially Halloween. To make sure your kids start out on the right foot, schedule a dental appointment before the holidays arrive. During the exam, the dentist will check for cavities or other problems that could be made worse by holiday treats. Be sure to request fluoride treatments and sealants for your kids' teeth. Those preventative measures will help protect your kids' teeth.
Plan a Candy-Free Halloween Party
Your kids are going to get an over-abundance of candy on Halloween. If they're going to Halloween parties before the big day, they'll be loading up there, too. You can help even things out by planning a candy-free Halloween party for your kids. Plan a do-it-yourself pizza party, where kids get to choose their own healthy, teeth-friendly toppings. Your kids will have a party to remember, and you'll be doing your part to prevent cavities.
Sort through the Candy
When your kids get Halloween candy, the first thing you should do is sort through it. Don't let your kids start digging into it until you know what they have. When it comes to kids teeth, some candy is worse than others. First, go through the bags and remove any hard candies that can break teeth or pose choking hazards. Next, remove all the sticky, chewy candies that can get stuck to kids teeth, and that can pull fillings out. Finally, place a handful of candy in a small container and give that to your child. Put the rest of the candy in a safe location, and give them one or two pieces each day. This will ensure that they don't eat all the candy in one sitting.
Insist on Proper Oral Hygiene
If your kids are going to be eating Halloween candy, insist on proper oral hygiene. Be sure that your kids brush their teeth each time they eat a piece of candy and that they drink plenty of water. This will help keep cavity-causing candy particles off your kids teeth.
For more information and tips on preventing your kids from getting cavities this Halloween, contact a local pediatric dental clinic, such as Pedodontic Associates Inc.
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