For young kids and even teenagers, Halloween is often a favorite holiday — largely because of the candy that comes with it. However, Halloween can be a nightmare for parents unless you have a plan for how to deal with all the candy. As a parent, you need to be vigilant about how you handle the candy for your kids, especially if your kids have braces. Dr. Harrison understands the struggle for parents when it comes to Halloween candy, and he is here with some advice. In today’s blog post, Dr. Harrison’s dental team will give some tips for handling Halloween candy.
Remove Candy That Can Damage Braces
While no candy is good for braces, Dr. Harrison understands that candy is a fun part of the Halloween season. So, if you are going to allow your child to eat candy, make sure that you are removing candy that can damage your child’s braces. Sweets that are overly sticky are strictly off limits for anyone with braces, so keep your kid away from Starburst, caramels, and Tootsie Rolls. Chewing gum is also off the list, and taffy is a no-go as well.
Some candies that should be safe for your child to eat include soft chocolates like Reese’s and Hershey’s. Hard candies are also ok, as long as your child doesn’t chew on them.
Give Your Kids Water Instead of Soda Or Juice
Another good way to balance the candy intake that comes with Halloween is to have your child drink water instead of soda or sugary drinks like juice and sports drinks. Drinking water helps to reduce some of the effects of candy by simply rinsing the sugar and syrup off of your child’s teeth. It is also a great way to limit the amount of sugar that their teeth are being exposed to. If they drink sugary drinks regularly, limiting them during the Halloween season will balance out the increased candy intake.
Related Post: Alternatives To Candy For Your Children
Emphasize Tooth Brushing During Halloween Season
During the period between Halloween and early November, as your kids make their way through their candy stockpile, make sure that they are brushing their teeth well. Sugar isn’t great for teeth any time of the year, but as long as your children are brushing thoroughly and regularly Halloween season shouldn’t cause damage to their braces or their teeth.
Contact Dr. Harrison For More Halloween Candy Tips
Halloween can be a real headache for parents of children with braces, and Dr. Harrison wants to make it a little bit easier. For more information or tips on how to handle candy intake for your children, give Dr. Harrison a call at (417) 887-1220 or contact us online today.
