Halloween Candy and Cavities Can Be Scary

All of us in the community of Carmel Valley San Diego, love candy at Halloween time. If your kids are like mine, they’re going to come home from trick-or-treating with a lot of candy.  Sugary candy can lead to tooth decay, but following these simple steps can help you and your children have a fun Halloween without the nightmares of harming their teeth in the process.

1. Don’t let your kids gorge on candy all night. Teach your kids moderation on Halloween is important.
2. Monitor that your children are brushing there teeth three times a day.
3. Make sure that your children use an age-appropriate fluoridated mouthwash every evening.
4. Have extra disposable dental flossers lying around the house. You will be amazed what kids will do when they are bored.
5. Avoid or limit candy such as caramels, candy corn, jelly beans and taffy. These particular candies are extra sticky, making it hard for saliva to wash away the sugar.
6. Give your kids sugar free gum to chew. Not only does the sugar free gum help prevent cavities, it also neutralize the effects of sugar from the candy. Therefore, it combats the bacteria in plaque that causes cavities.

Halloween is a fun holiday and you shouldn’t have to worry about things like tooth decay. By practicing good oral hygiene and using moderation, your kids can have a fun and safe Halloween and still enjoy the candy

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Born and raised in San Diego, Dr. James Tasto attended University of San Diego High School where he lettered in both golf and wrestling. After earning a Bachelors in Science from Loyola Marymount University, Dr. Tasto graduated from University of Southern California Dental School with an emphasis on cosmetics and sports dentistry.  Dr. James Tasto was selected by his peers to be included in the List of Top Dentists in San Diego for 2007 – 2013.  He appeared in the May issue of San Diego Magazine.  Dr. Tasto is also a member of D.O.C.S. (Doctors Offering Charitable Services), a local organization that offers medical services such as plastic surgery, vision and dental to the less fortunate patients in San Diego.  Dr. Tasto currently resides in San Diego with his lovely wife Traci and their 3 children. He enjoys golf, beach volleyball and playing with his kids.