Halloween, Kids and Pets …Ensure a Fun Holiday For All

Last updated on November 24th, 2025 at 06:18 pm

Most of us have nothing but fond memories of this holiday; dressing up in costumes, going door to door with friends and siblings, holding out our huge bags and watching with excitement as our neighbors dropped in handfuls of candy, then going home and dumping the bags out on the floor to gaze at the awesome pile of loot we got! I don’t know about any of you, but in my household, there was no such thing as cutting two holes in a sheet and throwing it over your head and going as a ghost. My mom was (and probably still is) the most creative woman I have ever known. She made the most elaborate Halloween costumes I had ever seen! I think my personal favorite was when my sister went as The Fiddler on the Roof.

But it was a different time when we grew up in the 70’s.  A much safer time….  A time when every piece of candy didn’t need to be examined with a fine tooth comb for glass or needles or pin pricks.  A time when parents didn’t worry about a car driving by, and never seeing their child again, or that every stranger who walked down the block was a possible pedophile. But sadly, these things are our reality nowadays. The key is to be vigilant and aware to keep your child safe.

But I think there is an added element that sometimes parents do not think to worry about, but should be aware of. Years ago, I do not believe that our household pets were considered as much a part of the family as they are today.  And while I happen to love that mentally and understand how easy is it for people to want to include their pets in Halloween as well, (after all, we consider it so much fun! Surely they would enjoy it too!!!) – on another level, I see all of the potential dangers that can come from including the dog in all of this, and I wanted to raise other people’s awareness.

Things that seem harmless to most people but can be dangerous:

• Dressing up your dog in costumes. While it may seem adorable and funny to you, more often than not, they do not find it half as amusing as you do. Most of them already have a full fur coat, and can easily get overheated. Many small dogs are used to having a coat on during the winter, but that does not mean they like having masks and hoods over their heads. It is important to remember that dogs rely on their senses for everything, and if you are putting on a mask or hood that goes over their ears or falls over their eyes, you are putting them at a serious disadvantage right off the bat from distinguishing ‘friend or foe’. For this reason, in a heightened and confused state, a bite can happen all too easily.
• Bringing your dog with you when you trick or treat (…with adult supervision). While I understand the temptation for this, I highly advise leaving the pooch where he belongs…. at home. This is not just a regular typical stroll down the street where you may meet up with a few people. People… kids and adults, are going to be in costumes, so your dog may not recognize even your child’s best friend that he sees all of the time. Again, they are relying on their senses, and some houses are done up quite elaborately… door mats that scream when you step on them, lights that may be flashing or flickering…. All things that are set up to spook and scare you because we humans are a strange breed that enjoy that kind of thing…. but think of how it may scare the heck out of a two year old that cannot understand or rationalize it, and you may now understand your dog’s reaction. This is a supposed to be a special fun time to spend with your kids…. do you really want all of your attention to be focused on ‘controlling’ the dog?
• Sending the dog out with the kids while they trick or treat (…without adult supervision) My customer and her 11 year old daughter both thought it would be awesome if the girl dressed up as Annie and brought their Golden Retriever as Sandy with her. Mom was worried about her daughter trick -or- treating alone, and thought it was great that the dog would be there to protect her, (no one would bother her daughter with a huge dog by her side) and the daughter thought it would be an awesome way to complete her outfit and fun to include the dog. It took some work to convince both Mother and Daughter that this was not a great idea. While the daughter was usually pretty good at handling the dog on the leash, and the dog did heel well with her, if the dog spooked and went to take off, both of them could get hurt. But in the end, the final decision was made by the dog…. Who reiterated everything I told them about the dog acting differently with people in costumes that they don’t understand…. The daughter put on her wig, and the dog ‘wigged out’ (yes… pun intended!) The dog barked at her for 20 minutes straight- until she took off the wig. And it still took the dog awhile to settle down. Many adults would have trouble reigning in or managing a dog’s fearful over-reaction…. I can’t imagine a child being able to.
• Allowing the dog to join you when you open the door to Trick or treaters. When a customer complains to me that their dog barks at everything that passes by outside, I tell them that rather than just yelling at the dog and telling it “NO!”, to understand that it is the dog’s ‘job’ to alert them. So instead of yelling at them for their natural instinct, I will typically allow the dog to bark for about 10-15 seconds, and then tell them, “That is enough… go lie down.” This allows them to do their job, but then they start to understand limits and boundaries. But the fact of the matter is, on this night, the doorbell is ringing constantly, with strangers there, many with no faces (with masks on) and they just don’t understand that there is no threat there. After all…. Think about it, on any other night, if someone rang your door-bell and you opened the door and they were wearing a  mask, would you be thrilled to see them? Of course not! You would slam the door closed and call 9-1-1! So how can you possibly explain to your dog that this night is different? The answer is, you can’t. So they either have to be kept in a different room with plenty of chew toys, or someone should stay with them and keep them occupied, or put them in their crate with a cover over it. The last thing you want is your dog getting frightened or charging at the door or worse, biting a strange child who’s hand slips out from their costume to get the treats you have for them.
• Dumping all the candy onto the floor. For many people like me who have worked with dogs for many years, part of my business is also knowing what is healthy for them and what is not…. So if you do not know this, let me be the first to strongly advise you  of these three things:
  • Chocolate.  Chocolate is poisonous to your beloved pet, and should not be left out around them. So it is very important that candy received from trick or treating not be just dumped onto the floor. It can really harm your pet if they get a hold of it. Instead, may I suggest getting each child their own bin or clear see-through bucket to dump their candy into? This way, they can still see all they got, allowing them to have a good view to pick out the few pieces they want each day, and the animals are kept away from any ill-gotten-goods that can really harm them. Please read more on the dangers of chocolate toxicity here…. http://vetmedicine.about.com/cs/nutritiondogs/a/chocolatetoxici.htm
  • Sugar-free candies and gum: Sugar-free candies and sugar free gum both contain something in them called xylitol. This is an artificial sweetener that is added to many sugar-free items we humans enjoy, and have few, it any side-effects for us unless consumed in large quantities… in which case the most common side effect is diarrhea. However, for our canine and feline family members, it can often be toxic, and even fatal. Please read more on this here…. http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/toxicology/qt/xylitol_tox.htm
  • Candy wrappers, gum wrappers, lollipop sticks and ribbons. These are all potential choking hazards, but can cause much more serious problems if they get caught up or wrapped up in the intestines.
• Allowing your black cat or dog outside. This may seem like a silly thing, but lets face it…. a black cat is almost akin to being a mascot for this holiday. If you have a black cat that is allowed out to wander, you’ll want to keep them inside on this night. And black dogs the past few years have become targets as well. Keep them safe from pranks and theft by keeping them inside.

So I guess if I was to re-cap all of this, I would say to keep the animals inside where they belong. This reduces their anxiety, the risk of unnecessary bites, and keeps everyone involved happy and safe… the way the holiday should be!! Have a happy and safe Halloween everyone!

Getting Braces – A Kid’s Perspective

Last updated on September 27th, 2025 at 12:08 am

Getting braces can be a big deal in some kid’s lives and they may not even want to get braces. However, it is very important that, if needed, your child should get braces and also manage them well. If people don’t get braces as a child it could cause serious health problems as an adult including increased risk of tooth loss and extreme discomfort. It’s also not very attractive looking.

Kids could need braces for crooked teeth, over spacing of teeth, or overbite problems. And you may not realize that your child needs braces. I had straight and near-perfect teeth, but I had a slight overbite and a little bit of a spacing problem. When I heard I would need braces for a short while I was perfectly willing and almost indifferent. This is because my mom had braces as an adolescent and has told me she was very glad about this; at the same time my dad did not have braces and his teeth are so crooked, one of them is practically facing sideways and he has always regretted not getting them.

The process for getting braces was fairly simple, on my end, at least. I visited the orthodontist for an assessment over whether or not I would actually need braces. He examined my teeth and showed me some before and after pictures (your child may see some friend’s teeth, I did!) then told me I would need them for about two years with no headgear (some kids wear headgear when they sleep). I later went for a mould of my teeth so the orthodontist could custom fit my braces (Try not to swallow the molding mixture; I hear from friends it’s nasty when swallowed). I got the top on first and the bottom braces on a few months later. I now visit about once every one to two months to get them tightened.

With the braces there are some food restrictions such as no popcorn or bubblegum and apples must be cut up, but you get used to it. Most food will get stuck in the braces, however. To deal with issues such as this the office arms each kid with an array of tools: small brush-picks, topical numbing agents for pain, wax to prevent the brackets from scraping up the gums, a convenient carrying case, etc. I carry my accessories in my backpack and make good use of them. On the note of numbing agents and pain, your child will want to use painkillers and eat soft foods for the first week of having braces and possibly after each adjustment depending on the sensitivity of their mouth. I play rugby, a contact sport for those that don’t know, and I had to get a specialized mouth guard to protect my braces. If your child plays a contact sport you will also have to get a specialized mouth guard but they are easy to find so don’t worry. They do not, however, guarantee the safety of your child’s braces so you may have to take them in for repair. For any parents concerned that their child will get teased or called brace face, don’t worry! Probably 99% of kids these days have braces so it would be completely stupid for a kid to pick on someone for the norm.

The Baby Teeth Myth

Last updated on September 27th, 2025 at 12:08 am

Although you only have them a few years, your “baby” or primary teeth are of the utmost importance. They are essential in the development and placement of your permanent teeth. Parents can contribute to their child’s oral health from the start by taking care of teeth from “babyhood.”

Baby teeth are more important than many realize. Primary teeth maintain the spaces where permanent teeth will erupt, and they help develop proper speech patterns. Otherwise crowding and misalignment can occur, resulting in more complicated treatment later in life. Primary teeth also are primers for teaching your child proper oral care habits.

Even though primary teeth last only a few years, decay, cavities and infection can take its toll – therefore it is essential to care for them as if they were there to stay.

There are several ways to protect your child’s teeth at home.

• Babies’ oral health can be protected by cleaning his or her gums with a damp cloth after feedings.
• Brushing with a soft brush and water should begin as soon as the first tooth erupts.
• Wean children off of bottles, pacifiers and thumb sucking around one year of age in order to prevent the misalignment of teeth as they erupt.
• To prevent tooth decay, avoid putting a child to bed with a bottle of milk, juice or other sweetened liquids.
• Children can usually practice good oral hygiene themselves around age five. The best way to teach a child proper oral health is by providing a good example.

Dentists want to see your baby’s baby teeth as well. Your child should visit the dentist for the first time right around his or her first birthday, or approximately six months after the eruption of his or her first tooth. Taking your child to the dentist this early is the best way to prevent oral health problems, and it will help familiarize the child with the dentist as well. The first visit is primarily an icebreaker for the child and the dentist. If the child is compliant the dentist will do a gentle but complete exam, a cleaning, and take x-rays. It is very important the first visit go well so that the child gains trust and comfort in going to the dentist regularly. Patience and calmness from the parent is also important, to show the child you trust the dentist as well. Appointments scheduled early in the day are best, avoiding nap times, so that the child is alert and fresh.

Baby teeth don’t last forever. Children typically start losing primary teeth around five to six years of age. They will most likely continue to lose them until around twelve to thirteen years of age, at which point most of his or her permanent teeth have erupted. Primary teeth should be lost as naturally as possible, and should not typically be pulled until the permanent tooth makes it loose. If a primary tooth is pulled too early, then it increases the chance of the permanent tooth becoming misaligned or crooked. Primary teeth fall out because the permanent tooth is pushing them to make room. Most teens have a total of 28 permanent teeth, plus four additional teeth, wisdom teeth, that will grow in behind in late adolescence.

Armed with this information, you will have the capabilities to give your child a healthy smile from the start.

Do toddlers really need to floss their teeth?

Last updated on July 6th, 2025 at 03:15 pm

Your 1-year-old may seem a little young for flossing, but cavities don’t know how old teeth are!  Teeth can get cavities as soon as they erupt into the mouth. If your toddler’s teeth are touching one another, food and plaque can get stuck between them, and cavities can form.

The importance of flossing is one of the reasons that the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends taking your child for his first dental appointment at age 1. At this visit, the dentist can help determine if your child’s teeth are ready to be flossed, and she’ll show you how to properly brush and floss them. (This will be your job for a long time; most children aren’t ready to brush and floss on their own until they are 8 or 10 years old.)

Nighttime brushing and flossing are the most important, so make sure you do it every night before bed. And remember: Nothing to eat or drink except plain water after you’re finished!

Kids’ Mouth and Dental Injuries: Types, Treatments & Prevention

Last updated on April 14th, 2025 at 06:35 pm

A mouth or dental injury is quite common in children, especially as they become mobile and start getting involved in sports or other physical activities. These type of injuries should always be taken seriously and be tended to right away, as they could lead to complications and may require immediate professional attention. The most important thing is to remain calm and take the proper precautions to ensure your child gets the right treatment.

It is important to be aware of the different types of injuries that could occur.

I. Common types of injuries include:

• Soft tissue injury – laceration (cut) to the lip, inner lining of the mouth, tongue or gums
• Broken, loose or knocked out tooth
• Fractured jaw

II. Treatment for a mouth or dental injury will depend on the type of injury and the severity.

1. A soft tissue injury may require stitches. If it is bleeding, apply pressure to the area with a gauze pad until you can get medical assistance. These types of injuries are typically taken care of by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon if they are severe. Minor injuries like small cuts can be taken care of at home.

2. Care for a tooth injury will also depend on what happened to the tooth and what type of tooth was injured. Taking care of a primary or baby tooth is typically much different than taking care of a permanent tooth.

If a baby tooth is broken or loose, your dentist may keep it in place if it has the capability to heal on its own. However, baby teeth that are too loose or have severe nerve damage most likely will need to be removed. A baby tooth that has been completely knocked out will not need to be replaced, but medical attention should still be sought out.

A permanent tooth that has been injured requires immediate medical attention. If a permanent tooth is broken or knocked out, it can most likely be replaced as long is it is treated within the first fifteen minutes to hour of being injured.

• If possible, and for best results, rinse off the dislodged tooth quickly in running water but do not scrub or scrape it. Then place into the socket as fully as possible. Have the child bite on gauze or a cloth to keep it in place until reaching the dentist’s office.
• The second best option is to have a Tooth-Saver kit on hand for such emergencies to drop the tooth into for safe transport to the office along with the patient. They can be purchased online at Amazon.com
• The third best option is to place the tooth in cold milk to preserve it, then the dentist can place it back into the socket.

Chipped teeth can be easily repaired as well. Attempt to preserve the piece of tooth in cold water, then the dentist will reattach it. If you are unable to preserve it, the tooth can be restored with a composite resin.

3. For more severe wounds such as puncture wounds inside the mouth or a suspected fracture to the jaw or other facial bone, you should seek immediate emergency care for your child.

III. While dental and mouth injuries are often inevitable, there are a few steps you can take to reduce the risk of your child getting hurt:

• “Baby-proof” the house when your child begins to start crawling and walking. Keep them away from sharp corners and let them walk barefoot or while wearing grip socks to reduce accidents
• Remind your child not to run with scissors, pencils, toothbrushes, or indoors around furniture that could easily trip them up
• Encourage your child to wear protective gear when playing sports, including mouth guards and helmets

Finally, never hesitate to contact your dentist or pediatrician in the event of a dental injury. They can provide the proper advice for taking care of your child’s injury and let you know if immediate medical attention is necessary.

Kids’ Cold Medications and Tooth Decay

Last updated on January 6th, 2025 at 02:28 pm

As the winter season comes quickly upon us, so does cold and flu season. For parents, that usually means caring for kids with runny noses and coughs. When your child comes down with an illness, you want to do everything you can to help them get better. Over-the-counter medicines are usually a go-to for easing their symptoms. While they help in suppressing coughs and colds, these medications can have a side effect you may have never considered before: tooth decay.

If your child is like most, he or she probably prefers sweet-tasting liquid medicine as opposed to pills. And this is understandable, as pills can be difficult for young children to swallow. But those sweet cough syrups are sweet for a reason. They contain a high amount of sugar, which bacteria in the mouth feed on. This breaks down the enamel of your child’s teeth, which then leads to decay. Citric acid is another ingredient that is commonly found in liquid medicines. This can also wear down tooth enamel and increase the risk of cavities. Additionally, the ingredients in liquid medicine can dry out your child’s mouth. Saliva helps rinse away cavity-causing sugars and acids. But a dry mouth means less saliva to fight off decay.

The good news is that there are several things you can do to reduce your child’s risk for tooth decay when taking medication:

• Give your child medicine before breakfast, lunch or dinner as opposed to bedtime. When medicine is taken at bedtime, the sugars will remain in contact with your child’s teeth longer while they are sleeping, which can be very destructive. Eating also helps produce more saliva, so meal time is the perfect time to take medicine.
• Be sure that your child brushes his or her teeth and rinses thoroughly after taking medicine. This will help get rid of any remaining sugars in the mouth.
• As your child gets older and is able to swallow pills, start weaning them off liquid medicines and choose the pill form instead.

Help your child stay healthy this season by monitoring not only their immune system, but their dental health as well. By following these tips, you can help reduce your child’s risk of tooth decay when taking cough syrups and other liquid medications.

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