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Be a Tooth Hero: Non-Candy Treats for Halloween

Michael Wahl • October 10, 2018

It’s October! The whole month seems to be a blur of pumpkin patches and costume prep, building up excitement for Halloween! The excitement and fun of visiting with neighbors as you trick-or-treat is a big part of the celebration. However, eating a bunch of candy has lasting effects for your dental health. As much as we love caring for our patient’s teeth, we want to help you think of ways to celebrate that don’t send all your adorable door-knocking ghosts to the dentist next month!

Glow Sticks or Jewelry

Did you know that kids are 4X more likely to be hit by a car on Halloween than any other night? There are a combination of factors — volume of kid pedestrians near roads, inebriated partygoers driving home, dark costumes, distractions — that lead to this sobering statistic. Save kids lives in addition to their teeth and pass out glow sticks to make them more visible!

Temporary Tattoos

Cut up a sheet of temporary halloween-themed tattoos to pass out. Just be careful to keep the clear plastic cover connected to keep the tattoo from getting wet or ripping. Better yet, Set up a tattoo-application table near your front door. Tattoos only take about 30 seconds to apply, and it gives you a chance to chat with your neighbors.

Stickers

You can opt for sheets of stickers, cut-up into minisheets, or go for individual big stickers. Whatever you choose is sure to bring a smile to their face. If you’re feeling ambitious, organize your neighborhood so that each house has a different type of sticker, and hand out mini sticker-books for kids to fill. You could even choose a theme like “World-traveling” where the books are passports and each sticker represents a country.

Pencils and Pencil toppers

Encourage kids to dive into their writing projects. Have a selection of (unsharpened) pencils and toppers and let kids mix-and-match their own pair. Every student could use an extra pencil. They always seem to go missing at school!

Bubbles

Every kid loves to blow and chase bubbles! Pick up packs of the pen-sized bubble bottles made for weddings at your local party supply store. For a fun twist, decorate the top of the bottles with a sticker or glue on a pencil topper.

Play-dough

What about a time-tested toy that’s been entertaining for decades? Play-dough is great for developing creativity, sensory awareness, and fine motor skills . Get a bunch of Halloween-themed mini tubs here , or you can make your own. If you make your own you can even add spices or drink powders to add scents to your dough. Just make sure to remind kids that it’s not for eating!

Dental Hygiene Packs

Before you laugh-just wait! Even if you pass them out alongside your treats, passing out toothbrushes and floss teaches kids that society as a whole values proper dental hygiene. You can buy toothbrushes and floss in bulk online here and assemble gift bags yourself, or splurge on a pre-assembled bag.

 

Whatever route you go, try to especially avoid sticky candy that stays stuck to teeth. And for your own crew, don’t forget to brush and floss after you enjoy any sweet treat! We love to help our patients care for their teeth so they don’t need as much repair for their teeth!

 

6 Dumb Ways to Lose Your Teeth

By Michael Wahl • September 1, 2020
Your teeth are not a tool. Ok, you might argue that your teeth ARE a tool for helping break down your food, clearly articulate words, and supporting your facial bone structure. And, you’d be right on those counts. What we mean here is a more basic idea of tool- an inanimate item which helps you… Continue Reading 6 Dumb Ways to Lose Your Teeth The post 6 Dumb Ways to Lose Your Teeth appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Is Nano Hydroxyapatite a Safe, Effective, Fluoride Alternative?

By Michael Wahl • August 25, 2020
If you listen to an oral care specialist for a hot minute, you’re likely to hear all about fluoride. Fluoride is the go-to preventative tool recommended by Amercian Dental Association. And with good reason! The introduction of fluoride has revolutionized oral health. However, it does have some downsides. Too much fluoride can lead to fluorosis,… Continue Reading Is Nano Hydroxyapatite a Safe, Effective, Fluoride Alternative? The post Is Nano Hydroxyapatite a Safe, Effective, Fluoride Alternative? appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Are you Brushing Too Hard?

By Michael Wahl • August 18, 2020
When you think of all the negative impacts of poor oral health, it can be easy to get aggressive with your brushing. Plaque build-up become tartar and can cause gum disease. Gum disease can lead to tooth loss and increases your risk of other more serious health problems. Plaque & tartar cause bad breath, dental… Continue Reading Are you Brushing Too Hard? The post Are you Brushing Too Hard? appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Mental Health & Oral Health: How They Impact One Another

By Michael Wahl • August 11, 2020
While you may not think about it, oral health and mental health are surprisingly interlinked. Negative oral health can have an impact on your mental health, just like poor mental heath has a negative effect on oral health. Let’s look closer at this interconnected relationship and consider some takeaways. Poor Oral Health’s Impact on Mental… Continue Reading Mental Health & Oral Health: How They Impact One Another The post Mental Health & Oral Health: How They Impact One Another appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Benefits of Using Mouthwash

By Michael Wahl • July 28, 2020
It’s late, after a long day. You’re probably ready to flop into bed and pass out. Sometimes after a long day of work, meticulous dental hygiene is at the bottom of your list. And we get it! Maybe you’ve often made the choice to skip mouthwash in favor of a quicker routine. But there are… Continue Reading Benefits of Using Mouthwash The post Benefits of Using Mouthwash appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Is Your Bad Breath A Symptom of a Serious Issue?

By Michael Wahl • July 21, 2020
Do you find yourself popping breath mints or gum in your mouth constantly? If you struggle with halitosis, or bad breath, there could be an underlying issue that needs to be addressed. We’ve covered common bad breath cures here. Start with these common solutions, but if you’re still plagued by bad breath, it’s time to… Continue Reading Is Your Bad Breath A Symptom of a Serious Issue? The post Is Your Bad Breath A Symptom of a Serious Issue? appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Is Black Mold the Real Cause of Your Tooth Decay?

By Michael Wahl • July 14, 2020
Tooth decay is a rampant issue among Americans. More than half of adolescents have at least one cavity. Cavities are the most common chronic disease for children 6-19. 9 out of 10 adults have tooth decay. Most of the attention to this issue focuses on diet as the main culprit. While diet is important, new… Continue Reading Is Black Mold the Real Cause of Your Tooth Decay? The post Is Black Mold the Real Cause of Your Tooth Decay? appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Extractions, Part 2: Caring for the Extraction Site

By Michael Wahl • July 7, 2020
So, you’ve had a tooth extracted. There are many reasons why this may have been the right choice, as you can read about in our blog from last week. You can have a huge impact on how well your mouth heals and your pain levels by caring for your tooth extraction site. While not every… Continue Reading Extractions, Part 2: Caring for the Extraction Site The post Extractions, Part 2: Caring for the Extraction Site appeared first on West One Family Dental.

What You Should Know About Tooth Extractions Part 1

By Michael Wahl • July 1, 2020
Teeth are an incredible asset. While we may be biased as dental professionals, take a minute to consider the usefulness of having your teeth! (Or, check out our blog here about the hazards of going without teeth!) However, there are times when the best decision for your health is to extract a tooth. Let’s take… Continue Reading What You Should Know About Tooth Extractions Part 1 The post What You Should Know About Tooth Extractions Part 1 appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Common Tongue Issues and What They Mean

By Michael Wahl • June 23, 2020
In many of our discussions of oral health we emphasize the importance of brushing and flossing all sides of your teeth. But what if you begin to notice that your tongue is looking different? Did you know that brushing your teeth should include a semi-regular brushing of your tongue as well? Your tongue can become… Continue Reading Common Tongue Issues and What They Mean The post Common Tongue Issues and What They Mean appeared first on West One Family Dental.
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