The period between Halloween and New Year’s is considered by many to be the worse time of year for your dental health. Why? It is all about the sugar, of course! Candy may be a Halloween staple, but that doesn’t mean your teeth develop sugar repelling superpowers!

Dentists still emphasize during that you limit or avoid candy it due to its high sugar content. Halloween favourites like toffee, skittles or candy corn are sticky and sit on teeth, producing acids that wear down tooth enamel.

If you do indulge in sweets, be sure to rinse your mouth with water and later by brushing and flossing!

Halloween Candy Tips

According to the American Dental Association, there are five rules you should follow when it comes to candy:

1. Be picky if it’s sticky.

Sticky and gummy candies are some of the worst candies for your teeth as they remain on the teeth longer and allow all that cavity-causing bacteria more time to do its work.
Surprisingly, caramels dissolve quite quickly, and may be a safer option!

2. Watch out for hard candy!

Hard candy is dangerous because it can break your teeth! As well, we tend to suck on hard candies longer, meaning you are just bathing your teeth in sugar for an extended period of time.

3. Put down candy that makes you pucker.

Sour candy – especially if sticky and coated in sugar – can be very acidic which can weaken and damage your teeth enamel making teeth more vulnerable to cavities.

4. Pass on Popcorn Balls

Popcorn balls are extremely sticky and often hard. Not only can kernels get stuck in-between your teeth (so have a floss handy), but you could also chip a tooth!

5. Chocolate is your best bet.

Chocolate tends to be easier on your teeth than most other sticky candies as it washes off faster. Remember: Dark chocolate has less sugar than milk chocolate!

Halloween Candy Tricks

The Canadian Dental Association published some helpful tips for you and your kids on how to minimize exposure of your child’s teeth (and yours) to sugar:

1. Set trick-or-treat rules in advance: How much candy will be collected? How much candy will be eaten Halloween night?

2. Cut down on Candy by using a small bag, donating non-favorites treats, and trading remaining candy for something like a small toy!

3. Limit treats and snacking (one in the lunch box, and one after dinner).

Other Tips:

1. Trick-or-treaters who wear braces should avoid nuts, popcorn, tortilla chips, hard candy, caramel and other chewy candies that can get stuck in teeth and damage expensive orthodontics!

2. Help you child understand the damage candy do to their teeth with a fun Activity Page, or spend time with family with a Halloween themed Memory Game!

3. Incorporate teeth into holiday Activities, such as pumpkin carving, and coloring pages!

Regardless of the efforts, you make at home, your child’s teeth need regular check-ups to make sure there is no plaque build-up or cavities – especially after Halloween. Call us today