Preparing for Halloween: Tricks to Enjoying Treats

As Halloween arrives, candy is on everyone's mind. While we at SDC love to indulge in sweet treats during the spooky season, it can be a fright for your teeth! We want to help you enjoy Halloween and all the candy that comes your way while protecting your oral health from too much sugar.

Here’s a few ways to enjoy treats without worrying about your teeth:

1. Choose Your Candy Wisely.

Not all candy is created equal when it comes to your teeth. Sticky and chewy candy like caramel, taffy, and gummies can cling to your teeth and are harder to clean off, making them more likely to cause cavities. Sour candies are a double threat to your enamel because they're both sugary and acidic. Hard candies that last a long time can increase the exposure time of your teeth to sugar.

Chocolate is a much more tooth-friendly option. It tends to wash off your teeth more easily than sticky or hard candies. Dark chocolate is the best choice as it has less sugar than milk chocolate, and some studies show it may even have other health benefits.

2. Don’t Snack on Candy All Day

Although it's tempting to snack on pieces of candy throughout the day, every time you eat sugar the bacteria in your mouth produces acids that attack your tooth enamel. The more often you eat a piece of candy, the more damage those acids can cause. Eating your daily candy all at once instead of throughout the day will reduce the time your teeth are exposed to sugar and acid.

To protect your teeth, try to limit candy consumption to after meals when your saliva production is higher. Saliva helps wash away food particles and acids, making it easier for your mouth to neutralize the sugars.

3. Rinse and Drink Water

After indulging in Halloween treats, it's a good idea to drink some water. This helps was away sugars and acids that can stick to your teeth and cause decay. Drinking water throughout the day also helps keep your mouth clean and boost saliva production, which naturally protects your teeth.

4. Brush and Floss After Treats

Make sure to brush and floss your teeth after enjoying Halloween candy to remove any sugary residue. Brushing twice a day for two minutes with a fluoride or hydroxyapatite toothpaste will help prevent tooth decay from all the sugar. Don't forget to floss! Candy can easily get stuck between your teeth, and flossing helps remove it to prevent cavities.

If you can't brush your teeth right after eating candy, try sugar-free gum. It can help increase saliva flow and clean your teeth on the go.

5. Schedule a Check-Up

If you're due for a dental cleaning or exam, now is the perfect time to schedule it. A professional cleaning will help remove any plaque or tartar build up, catch any issues early, and keep your teeth in great shape. Regular check-ups are essential to your oral hygiene routine.