Oral Hygiene tips, perfect for Halloween!

October brings cooler weather, football and of course HALLOWEEN.  Do you dress up? Do your children?  Any clue what the costumes will be this year?  In preparation for Halloween, I wanted to share a few tips for oral hygiene. Good to know year round!  Any suggestions you would add?

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“Halloween is an exciting time for kids, so the last thing we want to do is take away their fun,” explains Dr. Bruno Sharp, a fourth-generation dentist who created a line of products called Dr. Sharp Natural Oral Care, and is celebrating his 10^th year as a Natural Oral Care provider. “We can still keep it fun and yet make it healthier. Most kids may not even realize that parents took steps to make it more natural.”

Dr. Sharp offers these tips for going natural and healthy this Halloween:

• Prior to Halloween, visit your dentist to have sealants put onto your kids' teeth to seal and protect the enamel grooves, avoiding dental decay.
• Give your children a good nutritious meal before they go trick-or-treating. Mashed pumpkin is rich in vitamin A and a great snack. If they are not hungry while trick-or-treating, they will be less likely to try and fill up on empty calories and sugar.
• Try to avoid all unnecessary sugar that day. That way, if they do have a few treats later, they won't run the risk of overdosing on sweets.
• Instruct your children not to eat any treats until they bring them home to be examined by you.
• Supervise your children to have their teeth brushed and flossed immediately after consuming Halloween candy and right before bed.
• Parents who are handing out treats to trick-or-treaters or donating snacks for parties should opt for non-sugary foods, such as individual bags of crackers, granola bars, or fruit leather.
• Encourage kids to walk when they are trick-or-treating, so they get some exercise as they gather their treats.
• Make sure your children use high quality, natural non-fluoride toothpaste.
• If your child gets a large amount of candy, encourage them to keep half of it and donate the other half to a shelter, sell it to a dentist office candy buy-back, or give it to one of the organizations that sends it to U.S. troops overseas.

 “Healthier Halloweens are not only simple to do, but your child will grow accustomed to them and it will become the norm,” added Dr. Sharp. “You will be helping them establish healthy habits that will last a lifetime.”

Dr. Sharp Natural Oral Care product line includes children’s toothpaste, adult toothpaste, fresh mint mouthwash, and dental tape. All products are safe to use, made in the USA, and are metal free, gluten-free, have no artificial colors or flavors, are vegan, non-GMO, alcohol-free, fluoride-free, paraben-free and cruelty-free. Plus, they help whiten teeth and have xylitol, which is a natural sweetener that also helps to fight off cavities. The products are safe for the entire family. To learn more about Dr. Sharp Natural Oral Care products or see where they can be purchased, visit the site at: www.drsharpcare.com.

About Dr. Sharp Natural Oral Care

Dr. Sharp Natural Oral Care is a line of natural oral care products that were created by a fourth-generation dentist. All products are made from natural, safe non-GMO ingredients, and are made in the USA. The product line includes toothpastes for children and adults, mouthwash, and dental tape. 

Follow them on Facebook and Instagram @drsharpnaturaloralcare

Tips for helping kids establish good morning oral hygiene habits:

• Teach them why. Discuss the reasons why they need to brush regularly, so they know why they are doing it. You can make this easier and still keep it age-appropriate by picking up some kid’s books about brushing, too.
• Make it fun. When parents make brushing time fun, little kids are more likely to want to participate. Have a brushing song or fun routine that goes along with getting the job done each day.
• Give them rewards. Kids love to get rewards, even if it’s a sticker added to their sticker chart. Once they meet their brushing goals, take them to the store to pick out a book. This will help to keep reinforcing the habit.
• Praise their efforts. Rather than focusing on what they fall short of or miss, stick to keeping it positive and giving kudos for the parts they do well. They can always go back and improve areas missed, but positive reinforcement goes a long way.
• Help and hold accountable. Up until kids are around 8-9 years old, parents may need to keep going into the bathroom with them to ensure proper brushing is being done. While it may seem like a pain, it’s helping them to establish lifelong habits that will benefit them greatly in the long run.