Submitted by Armen Hareyan on Oct 6th, 2007
The National Confectioner's Association has noted that up to 93% of children will go trick-or-treating this year. With this in mind, Halloween is a perfect time for parents to reinforce proper brushing habits to their children.
"Since candy and Halloween go together...Consider being somewhat lenient about candy eating on Halloween. Kids can enjoy chocolate and lollipops on occasion as long as they brush their teeth afterwards and get regular cleanings at their dentist," said Dr. Stephen Pasqua, a family dentist from New Rochelle, NY. "Teach them that taking care of their teeth is a big responsibility...even superheroes brush their teeth twice a day.
After enjoying some of the bounty from the night's excursion around the neighborhood, join your children at the bathroom sink and teach by example. Show them the correct techniques and remind them that dentists recommend brushing for a full two minutes. You may even want to set a timer to demonstrate how long two minutes lasts.
To make brushing more fun on Halloween night and help kids develop good brushing habits, consider giving your children a new toothbrush that also appears to be wearing a costume. For example, Crest SpinBrush battery- operated toothbrushes offer several fun varieties with licensed characters like Hulk, Spider-Man, Holly Hobbie and Wolverine. Research also shows that kids brush 38% longer with SpinBrush than when using an ordinary manual brush*.
"Other ways that parents can encourage proper dental care during October include awarding character toothbrushes as prizes at costume parties, placing them in Halloween party goody bags, and setting limits on candy consumption," said Pasqua.
So while Halloween may seem like a cavity convention waiting to happen, remember that parents can do some simple things during the holiday to encourage great lifelong oral care habits.
Source:
National Confectioner's Association 