Teaching your children early about what candy can do to their mouth and their teeth can help, so can having healthy alternatives that your child can indulge in. That way, they know what alternatives are safe and good for them.
The Downsides of Sweets
Sugars hurt your teeth when you eat them. They begin to dissolve into acids, which in turn, dissolve the enamel that coats the outside of your teeth. This can lead to painful eating and drinking, and it can cause both cavities and tooth decay. If you explain this process to a child, and explain to them that they could lose their teeth, most kids will want to figure out something better so they can keep eating the regular foods they enjoy.Healthy Alternatives That Kids Actually Like
When it comes to healthy snacks that your kids can eat instead of candy, consider things like yogurt (frozen or from the fridge), frozen fruits like grapes, and juice-based popsicles. All of these things do contain some sugar, but far less than candy. Just make sure your child understands that as soon as he or she is done eating any of these snacks, brushing is a must.Getting your children out of the candy habit is not difficult, if you take the right approach. Take the time to work with them now, so when Halloween comes along, you and your child will feel good about leaving the candy alone and keeping their teeth strong and healthy.
Please contact us if you have any questions about protecting your child's teeth from candy.
