Trick or treat, make sure you brush your teeth

Moderation is key when it comes to candy consumption and preventing cavities.
Moderation is key when it comes to candy consumption and preventing cavities.(Cyle Clark)
Published: Nov. 1, 2023 at 4:49 PM EDT
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RAPID CITY, S.D. (KEVN) - It’s the day after Halloween and the only thing on some children’s minds is sorting through the candy they collected, but those treats can play a major trick on your child’s teeth if parents aren’t careful.

One way to ensure your trick-or-treater’s teeth are staying healthy is to start with good brushing habits.

Dentists recommend brushing twice a day for at least two minutes.

Some tips to make sure your child is brushing long enough is to set a timer or have them sing the ABC song twice.

“The big thing is making sure we’re getting all the surfaces, the biting surfaces. We recommend a 45% angel into the gum sulcus, trying to get all the food debris and everything out,” said Jamie Holsworth, a dental hygienist at Dakota Dental 4 Kids.

Holsworth adds that parents should try to make sure their child avoids candies that are hard and sticky like Airheads, Skittles, and Starbursts.