Halloween is nearly here! This can be an exciting time for kids (and their parents, too).

We understand why children are thrilled at the prospects of bags and buckets filled with candy. This also is a time of year that dentist worry about an increased risk of cavities. We don’t want to take away the fun of Halloween, but our Relax Dental team doesn’t want you or your kids to put your smiles at risk, either.

That is why we are sharing some tips to enjoy your treats without playing a trick on your oral health.

1. Limit Your Sweets

This isn’t unique to Halloween candy, but it’s worth reiterating when you have bowls of candy in your home. Talk to your kids before you go trick-or-treating. Talk about when to eat sweets (after a meal, when saliva production) and setting limits on how many sweets are acceptable at one time.

2. Drink Some Water

Again, this is good advice all the time. However, pouring a glass of water to drink while you are eating sweets helps in a couple of ways. First, the water can help rinse away small particles that could be stuck in your teeth. Second, the water helps fill your belly, so you are less tempted to eat too much.

3. Brush & Floss Your Teeth

Noticing a theme? Doing the things that you should be doing already can help you protect your teeth. Brushing your teeth after eating sweets will remove much of the sugary residue from your smile. Sugar is food for harmful bacteria, that create plaque and can cause tooth decay.

Brushing alone won’t remove all the sweet particles that are stuck in your mouth. Flossing is how you clean the spaces that a toothbrush can’t reach.

Keep your healthy smile this Halloween and for years to come! Call Relax Dental today at (336) 841-0000 in High Point or (336) 226-4714 in Burlington! You also can request an appointment online.