Although it is a great time for having fun, Halloween also makes a lot of parents feel apprehensive. It is a fact that children eat so much candy at Halloween which could raise some health concerns. An excess of sweets and sugar can make the threat of tooth decay more real. So, parents wonder if there are any alternatives to all the goo and sugar that is consumed during Halloween without compromising the fun of course!
The Top Ten Alternative to Candy
- Why not consider sugar-free chewing gum with xylitol? This is a very feasible alternative as it is good for the health of the teeth. By chewing the gum, saliva flow is increased. Since saliva removes sugar and food from teeth, this means that the risk of tooth decay is lessened. You can also consider offering chewing gum to your children after they have eaten candy because it cleans the mouth in between brushing times.
- Substitute candy with themed festive stickers. Children are very partial to stickers, and seem to particularly like Halloween ones. Children like these even better when they are designed to really spook and scare. It may also be an idea to give them to trick-or-treating children instead of candy.
- Spooky teeth, spider rings, and vampire paraphernalia. The items that glow in the dark are a fun option. Even older children like these.
- Wash-off tattoos with a Halloween theme. Should you choose these, try and get ones to suit children of all ages, and not just the cute ones that appeal to the really young. Children who are a little older will appreciate tattoos that are scary in a more grown-up way.
- Popcorn, potato chips, and pretzels are another option. These slightly more healthy snacks are available in different sized packs and with fun packaging. They are a better choice than candy and children usually love them.
- Halloween-themed pencils with erasers.
- Silly string. This is an item that appeals to both children and grown-ups.
- Bubble-blowing kits.
- Halloween-themed jewelry. Items like necklaces, rings, and bracelets that glow in the dark are all great fun and, better still, they can act as a safety device as children go around the neighborhood on foot.
- Suitably-themed festive balloons. Colorful and fun, these come in all sorts of shapes and sizes.
Tips for Maintaining Good Dental Health at Halloween and At All Times
- Your teeth should be flossed every day, at least once. If children have trouble with the traditional flossing method, you could try flossers, which are more child-friendly.
- Your teeth should be brushed twice every day (at least) with fluoride-based toothpaste.
- Make regular visits to your dentist, one like Rice & Rollingson Dentistry, for full check-ups and to have your teeth cleaned professionally.
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