Halloween is all about candy, costumes, and spooktacular fun, but for your teeth, it can be a bit of a fright! With eerie-sistable sweets lurking around every corner and oral routines sometimes taking a back seat to all the fun, it’s no surprise that cavities love this scary season. That’s why our team at Flint Hills Dental Group is sharing practical tips for keeping your smile healthy this All Hallow’s Eve, without missing out on the tasty treats!
The Best & Worst Halloween Candies for Your Teeth
Some treats are scarier than others when it comes to tooth decay! We breakdown the treats that will have your teeth saying ‘boo-ray’, and the ones you should probably throw away.
Treats for Your Teeth
Chocolates and sugar free gum are the number one choices if you want to indulge in something sweet this holiday! Powdery sweets, like Smarties, and candy with nuts are other fine choices. Look for low sugar options to help limit bacteria growth.
Tricks You Want to Avoid
Conversely, sticky candies, like taffy, caramels, and gummies, can haunt your smile long after Halloween night and hard candies can not only crack your teeth, but they keep sugar in your mouth for much longer periods of time.
Another candy you might not want to sink your teeth into is sour candies. These are often highly acidic, which can erode your enamel. And while sugar-free gum is a tremendous choice for keeping your mouth clean, sugar-filled bubble gum will feed bacteria, leading to tooth decay.
Fang-tastic Tips for Keeping Your Teeth Healthy This Fall
We want to make sure that you can enjoy the season while protecting your teeth from frightful cavities. Here are some simple ways to keep those pearly whites healthy this holiday!
1. Set a “Treat Time”
Rather than grazing on candy all day until the buckets are empty, choose a designated treat time, like after lunch, for you and your kids to indulge in a few treats. This reduces how often your teeth are exposed to sugar and gives saliva a chance to do its job.
2. Drink More Water
Water helps to wash away sugar and acid, making it a simple and easy tool for keeping your teeth clean. Encourage your kids to rinse after eating candy, especially if they can’t brush right away.
Another Option When Brushing Isn’t an Option: Chewing sugar-free gum helps to stimulate saliva production, which naturally washes away food particles and neutralizes acids that can lead to cavities.
3. Stick to a Good Brushing Routine
With all the extra sugar this month, brushing twice a day for two minutes at a time is more important than ever. And don’t forget to floss! This extra step keeps 40% of your tooth surfaces clean.
4. Introduce Your Kids to the Switch Witch
For the parents looking for a fun way to cut down on their child’s candy haul without the meltdown, consider bringing the Switch Witch to your Halloween routine! Simply have your kids select a few prime pieces of candy to keep, that are hopefully good for their teeth, and then leave the rest of their Halloween haul on the front porch for the Switch Witch to snag. Similar to the tooth fairy, she will leave something extra special in place of the sugary sweets, making it a win win for everyone!
5. Keep Candy Out of Sight
Out of sight, out of mind! If your kid’s candy is put away, it’s easier to stop eating candy everyday! Put it on the top shelf of your pantry or in a closed cabinet to take the sweets off your minds.
Don’t Let Sugar Sabotage You or Your Kid’s Smiles
If it’s been a while since your last cleaning, fall is a great time to check this to-do off your list, especially before the holiday rush begins. A professional cleaning can remove built-up plaque, check for early signs of decay, and give your smile a polished start to the season! Give us a call or go online to request an appointment!