It’s once again that time of the year when holidays are just around the corner- starting with Halloween. We understand that no parent wants to be a spoilsport around this fun and spooky holiday by denying their little ones some yummy treats. So, are you wondering how to keep things fun while keeping your children’s teeth safe from cavities?
Halloween especially is a holiday for sweet tooths. As a region where there is a mix of cultures and heritage, the Middle East is an active participant in the festivals, with Halloween candy alone running up around a $2 billion tab every year. Considering how much the holiday encourages your little ones to enjoy a sweet treat and run around on a sugar rush, it’s time for you to look at ways to safely navigate the Halloween fun without compromising your kids’ health.
To help your little one keep away the “Mouth monsters” ( as cited by AAPD) and to keep your mind at peace while joining the festivities of Halloween, here are a few tips and tricks from our best kid’s dentist in Dubai–
Why do “Mouth Monsters” love sweets?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry rightly calls gingivitis, tartar, and tooth decay Mouth Monsters as they attack your child’s gum and teeth, leading to infections, swollen gums, and toothaches. The trio is usually seen working hard and fast during the holidays, especially Halloween.
When children munch on foods like candies and sweetened snacks which are aplenty in their homes during Halloween, it leaves a sugary residue on their teeth. Coupled with incomplete oral care, where your kids forget to brush their teeth and floss at night or not rinsing out their mouth after eating, these food particles stick on to their teeth for a long time. This in turn allows the bacteria in their mouth to thrive, turning the sugars into acids, which irritates the gums and causes cavities.
So how can you fight the Mouth Monsters effectively this Halloween? Here are some of the best ways in which you can help your children drive away these villains without losing the fun as recommended by our pediatric dentist in Dubai.
Dental care tips for Halloween
- Help your kid choose better alternatives
Kids will be kids when it comes to sweet treats. So if you are finding it hard to keep up with their sugar cravings, help them choose better alternatives that are “teeth-friendly.” Ditch sticky and chewy candies such as caramels, gummies, and bubble gums, and opt for safer sweets such as pretzels, crackers, and dark chocolates. Dark chocolate in particular is a favorite treat among pediatric dentists as they have less sugar and a lot of antioxidants which are good for your little one. There are also sugar-free and tooth friendly gum varieties and lollipops made with xylitol which maintains a neutral pH and thereby protects your little one’s enamel. These treats are really good alternatives for the surgery ones.
- Keep up with the good oral habits
Ensure that your little one is never too busy or tired for brushing and flossing. Maintaining good oral hygiene is a foolproof way to keep away the mouth monsters, by thoroughly removing the food particles from your little one’s teeth. Make sure that your child is brushing twice and flossing once before bed every day, keeping their teeth and gums clean and healthy. You should also let them use fluoride toothpaste to add an extra layer of protection, as fluoride helps strengthen the enamel and reduces the occurrence of cavities.
- When in doubt, reach out to your pediatric dentist
Now you may have done your very best and still your little one may complain of a toothache right after the holiday. Even if your child’s regular appointment is a few weeks away, it’s best not to wait till then. Call the dental clinic and book an appointment with your kid’s dentist in Dubai immediately for a thorough checkup. If your child is starting to develop cavities, the dentist may recommend brushing a silver diamine fluoride (SDF) solution over his/her teeth to delay the decay and wait for a little before filling it. Afterward, you will still have to take your kid to their regular appointments as scheduled so that the pediatric dentist can monitor the cavity periodically and ensure that it has stopped progressing before filling it as required.
What next?
Holidays are for celebrating, so don’t hold back your little one from enjoying it to its fullest. At the same time, take these simple measures to ensure their oral health and keep them on track with their dental development. Remember that healthy teeth are vital for a happy childhood.
And most importantly, don’t miss out on your child’s dental appointment. Contact our dental clinic to book an appointment with your kid’s pediatric dentist in Dubai today.