Help your family enjoy Halloween in a healthy way.
Halloween and candy go hand in hand, and kids dream of nothing more than a plastic pumpkin full of treats! Skipping the candy altogether seems like an easy solution, but let’s be honest, it’s just not practical. Halloween is a great time to use candy and treats to teach your kids valuable lessons about healthy eating that will last them a lifetime. So how do you proceed? Here are some tips to keep your kids happy and keep their teeth healthy!
Reduce and Recycle – make a plan with your kids to go through their candy after their big trick-or-treating adventure so you can help them pick some candy to keep (this may take some negotiating). Un-kept candy can be donated to a food bank or homeless shelter or placed in a care package for troops overseas. It’s a great opportunity to teach kids about responsibility and charity.
Choose Carefully – Not all candy treats your teeth equally! Sticky candy will stay on your teeth longer and hard candy will expose your teeth to sugar for longer periods. Both types of candy can increase the risk of tooth decay.
Mealtime Treats – Set a specific time to eat Halloween candy. Eating candy with meals is better for your teeth. Saliva production increases during meals and helps cancel out acids produced by bacteria in your mouth.
Brush Up – The most important thing you can do is keep up your kids brushing health. Brushing will get rid of the sugars that cause tooth decay and keep your mouth healthy.
Check out this video for even more sugar tips from Dr. Kristy!
Remember, the key to a great Halloween experience is finding a nice balance between eating treats and having healthy teeth. Learning responsibility and great dental practices, along with regular cleaning from Dr. Stanislav and Dr. Dye will set your kids up for a lifetime of healthy teeth!
You probably don’t ask yourself the question, “How do I brush my teeth?” very often.
But maybe you should! It’s been a long time since we were kids, learning from a movie in health class.
So, what is the best way to brush your teeth?
Over the years, with numerous doctors doing research, the accepted techniques have changed! Before toothbrushes, people used rough cloth and water to clean their teeth. They would also rub things like salt and chalk across their teeth to try to get rid of the grime. Thankfully, we aren’t going to ask you to do that! Brushing properly is easy and it feels great. Here is the proper technique according to the American Dental Association:
Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums.
Gently move the brush back and forth in short (tooth-wide) strokes.
Brush the outer surfaces, the inner surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
To clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and make several up-and-down strokes.
Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and keep your breath fresh.
The ADA also recommend that you:
Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled brush. The size and shape of your brush should fit your mouth allowing you to reach all areas easily.
Replace your toothbrush every three or four months (or sooner if the bristles are frayed). A worn toothbrush won’t do a good job of cleaning your teeth.
Make sure to use an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste.
Keeping your mouth healthy is as simple as these easy steps when also combined with flossing! So put down the chalk and that strip of burlap and pick up a toothbrush. The final step to great dental health is getting regular cleanings from one of our experienced dental hygienists. We will help you prevent tooth decay and keep you flashing a dazzling smile. If you need to schedule a cleaning, contact Dr. Stanislav’s office today by calling 931.648.0232 to make an appointment. New and returning patients can also book an appointment through our website. Come in soon, we can’t wait to see you smile!