PORTLAND – Halloween is just around the corner and Oregon Dental Services Health Plans encourages parents to take an active role in protecting their children’s teeth after eating sugary sweets.

“There’s nothing wrong with kids enjoying a few Halloween treats, but the trick is to limit their intake of sweets and make sure they stick to their nightly brushing and flossing routine,” said Dr. Rick Wilson, D.D.S., dental director for ODS.

Here are some creative ways to protect your child’s smile and encourage good dental care habits:

Serve a healthy dinner. A good meal before trick-or-treating leaves less room for sugary sweets.

Set up a candy bank. Allow your child four of five pieces of candy, then store the rest in a sealed container (freeze chocolate and candy bars). Establish times when the “bank” will be open for withdrawals.

Offer tooth-friendly fare to trick-or-treaters. Consider using sugar-free treats or travel-size toothpaste and dental floss. Just remember that treats like dried fruit might be more nutritious than gummy candy, but both hold decay-producing acid against teeth for longer periods of time than other snacks.

Make sure candy is age-appropriate. Don’t give children under 5 jawbreakers or hard candies. These can chip teeth or cause choking.

Encourage kids to drink water throughout the day. Especially after eating sweets. This helps rinse sugar away from teeth until there is time for proper brushing.

Brush before bedtime. Offer your child a new, brightly colored toothbrush as a final Halloween treat. Insist on a good brush before bedtime.

This information was provided as part of the Children’s Oral Health Initiative, a unique educational program.