Are you dreading the candy and the cavities this Halloween?
Do you have to negotiate with your kids about how many houses to go to? How many pieces of candy are too many? Do you feel like the sugar buzz kill mom or dad? It’s never fun discussing dental hygiene ON Halloween so that is why you should start now! Learn more about how to combat the cavities!
CHECK OUT NETFLIX. We love the show Story Bots and they have a really silly episode called “Why do I have to Brush my Teeth?” They teach a great lesson on what happens to your teeth if you don’t brush or floss and it. is. EPIC. While it’s typically a show for younger kids, big kids can still enjoy it and learn a ton. After watching, your kids will probably ask you when it’s time to brush!
REVIEW HOW CAVITIES FORM – (AKA Gross them out with science)
1) All living things eat and waste. (Pee and Poop)
2) People eat food and you then use the bathroom.
3) Bacteria in your mouth eat and waste too. They eat the leftover food and sugar stuck on your teeth and pee out acid in the form of plaque onto your teeth.
4) If the acid stays on the tooth surface long enough (not brushing or flossing) a hole/cavity can form.
5) Brush/floss and chew gum with Xylitol to prevent acid build up.
TRY XYLITOL IN PLACE OF SUGAR
Another trick to keeping your treats healthy is using Xylitol in place of sugar for your treats. At Madison Smile Solutions we always hand out Xylitol lollipops at events and to kids in our practice. It’s always confusing why a dentist would hand out a lollipop but it’s actually GOOD for your teeth.
So what is Xylitol and how does it work?
Xylitol is a naturally occurring alcohol found in most plant material, including many fruits and vegetables. Xylitol is widely used as a sugar substitute and in “sugar-free” chewing gums, mints, and other candies to prevent tooth decay and dry mouth. Xylitol tastes sweet but, unlike sugar, it is NOT converted in the mouth to acids that cause tooth decay. 
BE INFORMED. Check out the American Dental Associations site for the best and worst candy this Halloween season. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/h/halloween-candy-survival-guide
STAY ON TOP OF DENTAL VISITS
We recommend kids visit the dentist starting at age one! At Madison Smile Solutions it’s important to have a positive and happy dental experience starting early on. It’s so much more than “just a cleaning”. We look at each individual tooth and check its form and function. We also educate you on how to brush or where you’re missing, evaluate growth and development and check x-rays. We can add fluoride varnish to help protect the enamel from acid.
We’d love to see your smiles before or after Halloween. Our goal is to make sure your family has the best dental experience possible. Call Madison Smile Solutions today or visit us at https://www.madisonsmilesolutions.com/.
