Halloween Candy Tips from the Dentist!

Halloween is one of the most anticipated holidays of the year – for both kids and adults alike. It feels like the perfect excuse to indulge in some candy and chocolates (guilt-free of course…or so we tell ourselves…). Your teeth, however, do not see Halloween different from any other day of the year.

When it comes to sweets, the bacteria in your mouth mixes with the sugar and forms an acid which can then attack the enamel on your teeth. It is most important to note that enamel can not be replaced or replenished – once it’s gone, it’s gone.

It’s not very realistic (especially for children) to avoid candy and chocolates, but there are some ways in which you can reduce the chances of harming your teeth, now at Halloween, and ongoing:

(1)  Brush and floss after eating. This will help remove the plaque and bacteria that mixes with sugar to produce the acid.

(2)  Rinse with water to help wash away the sugar. You definitely don’t want to be washing down Halloween treats with soda pop!

(3)  Consume dairy. Eat or drink dairy after the candy, as this can also reduce acid in the mouth.

(4)  Avoid hard and extra sticky candies. Hard candies often end up being chewed and can chip or crack your teeth. Not to mention, you are surrounding your teeth with sugar when these are continuously sucked on. Sticky candies can leave remnants on your teeth for hours.

(5)  Consume candy at meal times when there is more saliva in your mouth.

You can still have a fabulous time on Halloween…it just helps to take precautionary measures so that you don’t bite off more than you can chew in the long run. And, don’t forget to check your child’s Halloween candy thoroughly when they get home to ensure it is safe to eat and that it has not been tampered with.

Feel free to reach out to us at Healthy Smiles Family Dentistry with any questions you may have regarding the effects of sugar on your teeth!

Happy Halloween!