Halloween is just around the corner and for most children in the United States, that means a bag full of their favorite candies and easy access to sweets. And let’s be honest — even the adults have a few more sweets than they usually do. But have no fear! You can still enjoy this spooky holiday and your favorite treats. Here’s how:
- Avoid sticky sweets and hard candies
The length of time a snack is in your mouth and on your teeth plays a big role in tooth decay. Sticky candies like taffy and gummy bears are notorious for taking a long time to get washed away by saliva. If you don’t want to avoid these sweets altogether, we recommend brushing your teeth immediately after enjoying, or enjoying a sugar-free option. The same is true for hard candies, so be careful! Hard candies also come with an increased risk of chipping or even breaking your teeth.
- Eat candy with meals
We know how tempting it is to dive straight into that bag full of treats! Especially after all that hard work you or your kids put into trick-or-treating. However, we recommend enjoying your sweets with a balanced meal. Your saliva production increases during mealtime and will help cancel out any acids produced by bacteria in your mouth and rinse away those pesky candy particles.
- Avoid sugary drinks
While Halloween is a day notorious for sweet things, we recommend avoiding the beverages with added sugar, especially on that day. Sugary drinks increase your risk for tooth decay. Try swapping out your favorite soda for a water bottle with added fluoride that day!
What are some ways you plan to keep your mouth healthy this Halloween?
