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The Candy Plan This Halloween

Staff | October 2020

Our favorite creepiest night of the year is here once again- Halloween! Whether you and your family look forward to decorating the house, dressing up in scary costumes, or trick or treating, nothing quite beats indulging in Halloween candy. This can present quite a challenge for both adults and children alike. Here are some dental tips for a healthy Halloween:

Hard And Sticky Candies Mean More Trouble 

Avoid hard candy and other sweets that stay in your mouth for a long time. Aside from how often you snack, the length of time sugary food is in your mouth plays a role in tooth decay. Unless it is a sugar-free product, candy that stays in the mouth for a long period of time subject teeth to an increased risk for tooth decay. Sticky candies like taffy, gummy bears, and caramels are perhaps the worst culprits. These candies cling to your teeth and take longer to get washed away by saliva, increasing the risk for tooth decay.

Make Water Your Best Friend

Drinking fluoridated water can help prevent tooth decay. If you choose bottled water, look for kinds that are fluoridated.

Tooth Friendly Treats

Pre-packaged snack bags (like crackers, chips, or Goldfish), flavored honey sticks, or fruit leathers might be a healthier option over traditional candy or gummies. Chocolate (especially dark chocolate), peanut butter, and softer non-sticky candies are also smarter options because they dissolve fairly quickly and are less destructive to the enamel and teeth.

After Care Is Crucial

Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes with an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste. Remember, replace your toothbrush every three or four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed. A worn toothbrush won't do a good job of cleaning your teeth. Flossing is equally important and should be done at least once a day. Decay-causing bacteria get between teeth where toothbrush bristles can't reach. Flossing helps remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line.

We hope that we were able to give you some important tips in order to have a great but teeth- friendly Halloween!  Happy Halloween to you and your family!