Our team of family dentists and support staff prioritizes your children’s oral health, just like you do! We also understand that Halloween’s spooky, candy-filled excitement is something kids look forward to. That’s why we’ve put together our “Healthy Halloween” guide, full of tips to help you protect those smiles during the upcoming weeks of sweets. With this family dentist approved strategies, your children can enjoy Halloween without impacting their oral health.
Make Smart Candy Choices
Not all sugary treats are equal when it comes to dental health. Chocolate, for instance, is far better for teeth than sticky candies like gummy bears, Skittles, and Starburst, which can cling to and get stuck between teeth. Chocolate, especially dark chocolate, is less sticky and can be washed away more easily, making it a healthier choice for Halloween treats.
Treat Teeth with Care
Hard candies like lollipops, Jolly Ranchers, and butterscotch may seem tempting, but they’re tough on teeth! Since these candies dissolve slowly, they expose teeth and gums to sugar for extended periods, creating an ideal environment for decay. Plus, biting down on hard candies can lead to chipped or broken teeth. Whenever possible, limit or avoid these kinds of treats to protect your family’s smiles.
Maintain Excellent Oral Hygiene
Good brushing and flossing habits are necessary year-round, but with the extra candy around Halloween, oral hygiene is even more important! Brushing twice daily and flossing once daily helps keep teeth healthy. For kids under eight, dentists recommend that parents supervise and assist with brushing, especially during the morning and before bed. Make sure they brush thoroughly after eating candy, and encourage a quick brush after any additional treats during the day to help prevent cavities.
Stay Hydrated with Water
Family dentists always encourage our young patients to drink plenty of water. While juices, sodas, and sugary drinks can be harmful to developing teeth, water has the added benefit of rinsing away sugar and bacteria that can lead to decay. Plus, if your tap water contains fluoride, it provides an extra layer of protection against cavities by helping to strengthen enamel.
Time Treats Right
Instead of snacking on candy throughout the day, set specific times for your children to enjoy their sweets. For example, consider allowing one treat after lunch and another after dinner, followed by a quick brush to clean up. This helps minimize sugar exposure to teeth over time. Additionally, the saliva produced during meals aids in washing away food particles and bacteria, making it an ideal time for a sweet treat without the worry of lingering candy residue.
Share the Treats
After trick-or-treating, have your kids pick out their favorite candies and consider donating the rest. Programs like Treats for Troops allow you to send extra sweets to deployed service members, or you can look up local candy buy-back events by searching “candy buy-back” along with your zip code. This way, your family can enjoy Halloween without an overwhelming candy stash!
Opt for Xylitol Gum
If brushing isn’t possible right after candy, chewing Xylitol gum can be a great replacement. According to the American Dental Association, chewing Xylitol gum for 20 minutes after meals helps increase saliva, which can wash away food particles and neutralize acid that bacteria produce, reducing the risk of decay.
Balance Treats with Nutrient-Rich Foods
Adding tooth-friendly snacks can counteract the effects of sugary treats. Dairy foods like milk and cheese are excellent sources of calcium, which strengthens teeth. Cheese also lowers mouth acidity, making it a good post-candy snack. Crunchy fruits and veggies like apples, carrots, and cucumbers help clean teeth naturally by scraping away food particles and bacteria as they’re eaten.
Choose Sweets Over Sour
Sour candies may be fun, but their high acidity can be rough on teeth, especially for kids. The sourer a candy is, the more acidic it becomes, which can weaken and wear away enamel—the protective layer on teeth that prevents decay and sensitivity. Once enamel is lost, it can’t be replaced, leaving teeth more vulnerable to cavities and discoloration. So, when possible, opt for sweet treats instead of sour ones to keep teeth strong.
Hold Off on Brushing
If your kids indulge in acidic treats, wait at least an hour before brushing. Brushing immediately after eating acidic foods can actually increase the damage by spreading the acid around on the teeth. Waiting allows saliva to neutralize the acid, protecting the enamel from further erosion.
Las Vegas – We’d Love to Hear from You!
Now that you’re equipped with tips to keep your family’s smiles healthy this Halloween, we’d love to hear your advice! How do you manage the candy influx each October? Feel free to share your tips in the comments! And with the candy craze behind you and the holidays approaching, now is the perfect time to schedule a dental check-up. If you are in Las Vegas, NV then give A Great Smile Dental a call to book an appointment and keep those smiles holiday-ready!
P.S. Don’t forget—these tips apply to parents, too! We know you’re sneaking a few favorites when the kids aren’t looking. Have a safe and smile-friendly Halloween, everyone!
