To Eat or Not to Eat: Here are 4 Halloween Candy Tips to Consider this Holiday

As a child, you probably remember rushing home after an evening of trick or treating and dumping your candy bucket out all over the living room floor. After scavenging for your favorite sweet treats, you scooped the rest back into the bucket and made sure no one else put their hands on what you would be eating for the next several weeks. Although it’s nice to enjoy a fruity gummy bear or chocolate bar every now and then, the overconsumption of candy on Halloween can put your child’s pearly whites at risk for tooth decay and cavities. To prevent this from happening, here are 4 Halloween candy tips to consider when they get home with their bucket of goodies.

Keep Up with the Oral Hygiene Routine

Before your child goes to bed, make sure they are brushing, flossing, and rinsing their mouth just like they would do any other night. If sugar is left on the teeth for an extended period of time, this can create a breeding ground for bacteria to feed off the sugar and eventually create holes within their teeth (aka cavities). By maintaining a good oral hygiene routine, this will ensure their teeth and gums are in good shape even after eating a few sweets.

Pick Out the Best Ones

When staring at a bucket of candy, it can be hard to pick out just a few pieces, especially when so many are tasty. However, if you want your child to avoid eating too much sugar, let them pick out their favorite candies before donating the rest. Many dentists offer a “take back” program around Halloween, and other organizations encourage donations of candy to send to military personnel overseas.

Hydrate with Water

Water is one of the best things you can consume, especially when eating sugar. The reason is that it washes it away, preventing it from sticking to your teeth and gums. It’s also beneficial at keeping you hydrated, and if you’re consuming fluoridated water, it will strengthen your tooth enamel and help protect against tooth decay.

Schedule Your Dental Visits

There is really no better time to see your dental professional than around the holidays. With so much “bad” food being eaten, your dentist can make sure it is not negatively impacting your teeth. It will also help to hold you accountable by ensuring you are taking the appropriate steps at home to care for your teeth and gums.

Halloween is certainly a fun and exciting holiday, and it doesn’t have to be without the enjoyment of a few select pieces of sugary goodness. Just remember, the more they eat, the greater the risk for tooth decay. Follow the tips provided to ensure your child’s mouth remains decay and disease-free this holiday season.

About the Author
Dr. Ukti Phadnis earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience from the University of Connecticut. She then went on to enroll in the UConn School of Dental Medicine and achieved her Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry degree. Opening West Hartford Dental Group, she strives to stay up to date on all advancements in the dentistry field and has extensive training in dental implants, TMJ therapy, cosmetic dentistry, and Invisalign. She and her team work together to help everyone who enters through their doors achieve a healthier, brighter smile. To learn more, contact us via our website or by calling (860) 606-3953.