Halloween is a scary time, but the fear should be all in fun. Help prevent a trick-or-treat tragedy by sticking to some basic safety guidelines when handing out treats to the neighborhood children.

• Stick to handing out individually wrapped candy and treats. Many parents are wary of home-baked or unwrapped items.
• Make sure treats that contain common allergens, such as peanuts, are clearly marked.
• Turn on your outdoor light both as a signal that you are handing out candy, as well as to prevent anyone from tripping and falling in the dark.
• Remove any obstacles from the walkways, such as a stray garden hose or unlit lawn decorations.
• Park your car so as not to obstruct parents’ views of their children as they approach your door.

After all the Halloween candy has been devoured,
some tips on Dental Health for Children may come in handy!

Trick-or-treating for Halloween candy caps off the month of October for most children, but with the sugary holiday comes the potential for something much scarier than plastic lawn ghosts—cavities and dental bills.

Whether your children are consuming large quantities of sugary treats or not, maintaining dental hygiene is an important habit to teach children. The best time to instill good dental habits is when your child is still young.

• Begin teeth-cleaning as soon as teeth appear in your infant’s mouth; this may include using a soft cloth to wipe your child’s gums.
• Start brushing when your child’s first teeth appear.
• Begin using toothpaste around age 2, but check with your doctor for specific recommendations.
• Floss for your child starting at age 4.
• Teach your child to brush for him- or herself around age 6 or 7, although you will likely need to continue supervising.
• Teach your child to floss by age 8.

Why Are Clean Teeth Important?

Sugar from food is left in the mouth and on teeth, fueling the formation of plaque. Plaque is a film of bacteria that covers the teeth and gums and can cause gum disease and tooth decay. Brushing and flossing removes plaque and keeps your teeth strong.

Daily Care

• Brush teeth twice a day, making sure the inner, outer and chewing surfaces of the teeth, as well as the tongue, are cleaned.
• Use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste approved by the American Dental Association (ADA).
• Floss at least daily.

Professional Care Recommendations

The ADA recommends that a child should have his or her first dental visit within six months of the first tooth coming in, but no later than his or her first birthday. Preventing dental problems is always easier than correcting them, and your dentist can also offer suggestions for daily dental care.

After that first visit, dental visits should become a routine part of your child’s health care, with a dental visit typically occurring every six months. If you anticipate your child being anxious about the first dental visit, have him or her come along and observe your visit beforehand so he or she knows what to expect.