Have a Sweet Tooth? Here’s How to Manage it During Halloween

If you have a sweet tooth, there is no better time of year than October, specifically the 31^st. Halloween offers all the sweets, treats, candies, and desserts that you could ever want or need, but this holiday can be scary when it comes to the oral health risks it causes. So how can you enjoy the festivities without letting sugar from Halloween candy cause decay and cavities? Read on to find out!

Watch Out for Spooky Sticky or Hard Candy

Sugars interact with bacteria in your mouth to create acids that eat away at your teeth, which is why some candies are worse than others. Sticky sweets tend to cling on to your teeth, staying in contact with your smile for longer periods of time. Hard candy allows sugar to get in your saliva, coating your entire smile. Both of these types of treats increase your risk of cavities and tooth decay dramatically, which is why you should try to avoid them.

When You Want to Indulge, Reach for Chocolate

Of course, getting through Halloween without any holiday treats is virtually impossible. Thankfully, some candies are better for your smile than others! When you’re craving sweets, your family dentist recommends reaching for chocolate instead of sticky or hard items like caramel or gobstoppers. Chocolate is creamy so it washes away from your teeth relatively easily. Plus, for extra points, switch to dark chocolate—this treat is actually good for your overall health and it contains far less sugar than other products.

Limit Your Candy Consumption

Being picky about the types of candy you eat will automatically slow down your sweet tooth, but you can take it one step further and simply limit the amount you consume each day. For parents, it can be as easy as taking away your child’s candy and storing it somewhere out of reach. That way, you can control their intake of sweets. For you, exercise self-control and try to reward yourself with candy at the end of the day, after a meal. Once you eat, your saliva flow is more active and will help wash away the sugars from your treats! Just remember to always brush your teeth twice a day.

Don’t Forget to Drink Water!

You may want to reach for a sugary soda or warm hot coco but these liquids coat your teeth in sugar, putting your teeth at risk of decay. However, water naturally washes away lingering food debris and bacteria. Plus, most tap water contains fluoride, which is a natural cavity-fighting mineral that will help protect your smile during the sweetest time of the year!

Halloween is spooky fun, but cavities are downright scary. Remember these tips to have a safe and healthy October 31^st.

About the Practice

At Edgewood Dental, Dr. Haughtington and Dr. Noreika work together to offer a wide range of dental services for patients of all ages. They provide thorough checkups to catch any decay early on, and they also have tooth-colored fillings if a cavity does occur. For any questions, they can be reached through their website or by phone at (219) 898-4545.