Halloween tips from the 1 Special Operations Dental Squadron Published Oct. 31, 2008 By By: Maj Doron Bresler 1 SODS HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- Halloween will be here shortly and we all know that Halloween, to most children, means candy. Are your kids already planning on how much candy they will be getting this year? To help keep cavities away and maintain your childrens' good dental health this Halloween, remember to have them brush and floss after eating sugary treats. If you are concerned about the amount of candy that your children will receive, try rationing it out over a few weeks. For example, you can pack a couple of pieces in their sack lunches or give them a few pieces after school every day or every other day. You can also have each child set aside half of their Halloween candy, and later accompany them to donate it to an organization such as a child abuse center. Remember, parents assume control of the candy stash and it will save you in the end. I nstead of giving out Halloween candy this year, check out these 10 fun alternatives to give out on Halloween night: 1. Sugar free gum 2. Vampire teeth 3. Halloween stickers 4. Party favor sunglasses 5. Small cans of playdoh 6. Noisemakers 7. Pencils with Halloween erasers 8. Halloween bouncy balls 9. Temporary tattoos 10. Small bottles of bubbles Most kids love this stuff and it won't cause decay! No matter what you decide to give out this Halloween, remember to follow these tips to help protect your children's teeth from cavities and maintain good oral health throughout the year: · Brush twice a day with a toothpaste containing fluoride. · Floss daily; dental flossers work great. · Eat healthy foods and nutritious snacks. · Visit the dentist for regular check-ups.