See how you can help your family’s smiles stay healthier this holiday season! With Halloween just around the corner, you're getting out the spooky decorations, buying your family's costumes, filling up your party schedule, and stocking up on candy in bulk. As exciting as this time is, you may be wondering, "What about my teeth?" With so much candy and sugary drinks around, the holiday season often comes with another feature that you might not be so psyched about: dental cavities. That’s why it’s more important than ever to put your A-game forward when it comes to your oral hygiene, especially when it comes to your kids. Mom and Dad have been known to sneak a candy or two from the trick-or-treat bowl or their kids' candy stash. However, children typically eat more sweet treats before, during, and after Halloween than their parents can stomach. They are in the most danger of developing several cavities as we move into the following winter holiday season. Are baby teeth more prone to cavities? Unfortunately, yes. Although baby teeth are smaller and “newer” than adult teeth, they aren’t immune to dental cavities and are even more susceptible to them. While permanent teeth are strong enough to last a lifetime, baby teeth are only temporary and less developed. They don't have as strong protection because they'll fall out in a few years. This means that when tooth decay first sets in, it can quickly work through your child’s teeth, especially if your child continues making their way through their bags of candy. Here are a few tips for protecting you and your child's pearly whites during this spooktacular time of year: Limit Your Sugar Intake Avoiding sugar entirely would be almost impossible, especially with so much Halloween candy around. However, keeping your sugar consumption to a minimum and opting for healthier food choices can make a massive difference for your smile. Sugar is good at attracting oral bacteria to your teeth. When bacteria and saliva mix, it turns into dental plaque, which contains acids that break down the tooth in a process called dental decay. Sugary drinks and sodas can be just as bad as candy. The sugar in these drinks coats the teeth more thoroughly, allowing plaque and bacteria to weaken tooth enamel further. With juices, try diluting them with water to cut through the sugar content. You should also try rinsing your mouth with water for 30 seconds after any of these drinks whenever possible. Do not immediately brush your teeth. With the enamel weakened, even using a toothbrush can damage your teeth.

Maintain a Healthy Hygiene Routine Even during the holidays, keeping a consistent dental hygiene routine is essential for healthy smiles. Brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes using circular motions. This time is critical for removing plaque buildup from hard-to-reach areas. And don't forget to floss at least once daily! Dental floss is necessary for reaching any debris that might have gotten trapped well below the gums and even between your teeth. Brushing and flossing regularly is critical for preventing cavities and decay and maintaining healthy enamel. If plaque and bacteria are not regularly removed, their acids will attack the teeth's enamel. First, the enamel is stripped of essential minerals like calcium that help protect the tooth and keep it strong. Once the tooth is weak enough, dental decay can gradually erode the teeth, eventually turning into a cavity. If a cavity forms, your dentist will have no choice but to repair the damage with a tooth filling. For young kids, brushing and flossing on their own can be difficult or even impossible. Until about 7 or 8 years old, Mom and Dad should still be helping or monitoring their daily dental hygiene routine. How should I best take care of my children's teeth? *Even before the first tooth comes in, be sure to wipe your baby’s gums with a damp washcloth after every feeding and before putting them to bed. *Once the first tooth comes in, you can start gently brushing their teeth with a soft-bristled children’s toothbrush. Start flossing once two teeth touch each other. *Starting at age 1, your child should also start seeing a pediatric dentist for regular teeth cleaning and exams. *Until age 2, your child won’t be able to spit out toothpaste on their own. Tilt their head over the sink or a washcloth and let the toothpaste dribble out of their mouth. *Kids under 3 years old should use no more than a rice grain-sized amount of toothpaste. Older children can move up to the size of a pea. *Children 6 and under should start practicing brushing their teeth on their own. However, since they’re still learning, be sure to do a second round of brushing by themselves to catch any spots any might have missed. Give Your Teeth a Boost You shouldn’t just be reactive to sugar and tooth decay; one of the best ways to keep your smile in great shape is to stay proactive. When brushing your teeth, stick to fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash. Fluoride helps remineralize teeth, strengthening them to better fight off tooth decay. It can also sometimes reverse early tooth decay damage before a cavity forms. With young children, you'll need to be more cautious about how much fluoride you give them. Too much fluoride when their teeth are still growing and developing can lead to fluorosis. Fluorosis typically isn't harmful to a child's dental health, causing only white streaks on dental enamel. How can I strengthen my child's teeth? Be sure to use any fluoride products in healthy moderation for younger kids: *Children of all ages can safely drink fluoridated water, either from bottles or tap water. *Children under 2 shouldn’t use any fluoride toothpaste. *Kids 3-6 years old can start using a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Be sure to supervise them and make sure that they don’t swallow any. *Until a child turns 6, they should not use any mouthwashes (fluoride or otherwise). Don’t Miss Your Dentist Appointment If you have a dental cleaning appointment coming up, be sure to make it, even with the holidays coming around! Brushing and flossing are great. Still, it can be easy to miss some spots. This is particularly true for younger patients who are still learning the best ways to take care of their smiles. Cleanings every six months with a dental hygienist are essential for removing any plaque and bacteria collected on your teeth between visits. Patients with frequent dental problems may need to come in more often to prevent buildup and dental cavities.

Look Out For Dental Cavities Even when you and your child try your best, a tooth cavity or two can still sneak past you. When they do, it’s important to keep your eyes peeled for them and see a dentist at the warning first signs. All cavities require a cavity filling or crown, depending on the severity. What does a cavity look like? Early tooth decay only appears as small white spots on the enamel's surface. For young children, it can be easy to confuse them with fluorosis. However, once a cavity forms, you'll notice that a small hole develops as decay wears down the tooth. Those white spots can also grow darker, turning brown, gray, or black. Cavities also come with several other symptoms that are invisible to the naked eye: *Persistent or terrible toothache *Pain when chewing or biting down *Chronic bad breath *Sensitivity to hot, cold, and sweets *Pus around the tooth *Tooth suddenly becoming numb Teach Your Child About Oral Hygiene With young kids especially, one of the best ways to get them to take great care of their smiles is by teaching them about them! After all, if they don't know the importance of dental hygiene or even the best techniques, they can't keep their oral health on track. How do you teach children about oral health? Start with the fundamentals and make sure to keep things simple and easy for your kids to understand. *Explain the significance of oral hygiene, such as stopping painful cavities and gingivitis. *Teach them what common dental problems look like, such as tooth decay spots or bleeding gums when flossing. *Show them firsthand how to brush and floss their teeth. Try taking care of your own smiles right next to them so you can lead by example. *Look for harmful behaviors and make an effort to change them (gently). Stopping these bad habits can prevent worse difficulties later down the line. Don’t be afraid to repeat your lessons. There is no such thing as “too much” when it comes to your child’s dental health education. For many kids, repetition and practice is the best way to make their lessons stick.