How to enjoy Halloween while still maintaining good oral health.

There are many reasons to be excited for fall, with things like harvest festivals, cooler weather, and the beautiful changing scenery providing a warm welcome to the season. But there’s perhaps nothing more exciting than Halloween. A favorite holiday for many, it’s a time for pure fun; you get to break out your favorite costume, throw parties, and eat so many tasty treats. 

As the spooky season gets going in full swing, you should keep in mind that the bacteria in your mouth loves all that candy just as much as you do. And unfortunately, it produces acid that contributes to cavities when you consume sugar.

Fall festivities are about having a great time, and your dentist wants you to do just that. However, it’s important to remember that chocolate, candy corn, and popcorn balls may taste good but can lead to tooth decay. It’s critical that you practice good oral health while consuming your treats.   

Follow these tips from Berrien Dental to help your family survive the candy this Halloween without a toothache. 

Tip 1: Use a Small Trick-or-Treat Bag 

Kids love filling up large goodie bags with delicious treats inside colorful wrappers. But that’s more candy to take home and keep your kid from eating. Instead, take a smaller bag to limit how much candy gets returned to your home.

Tip 2: Unload Some Loot 

When you get home, unload as much candy as possible. You could try to help your child eat ten pounds of candy, but that might not be the best solution. Instead, have them choose several pieces to keep and donate the rest.    

Tip 3: Be Selective With Treat Choices

After you have sorted through your loot, your children will want to enjoy a few pieces of candy. M&M’s are delicious but not the best snack for your teeth. Choose a treat that contains low sugar, or is sugar-free. These candies, along with those containing nuts, stimulate saliva production and cleanse the mouth of plaque and bacteria that can lead to cavities. 

Encourage your child to eat candy that is less likely to stick to their teeth, like chocolate bars and powdery candy. Hard candy, like lollipops or mints, is bad for your teeth. They stay in your mouth longer, allowing the sugar to linger on your teeth. Eventually, you’ll begin to notice cavity symptoms in this area.  

Tip 4: Set Halloween Candy Consumption Limits

Consume everything in moderation—including Halloween treats. Setting specific amounts of candy for your child to eat will limit their consumption. Allow them to have a few pieces after meals. This will encourage the mouth to produce more saliva, which helps wash away the sugar. 

Decide on the number of pieces per day that your children can eat. Allowing them two or three pieces each day will control how much they consume and reduce the risk of developing a toothache.

Tip 5: Hydration and Rinsing

When your child is eating candy, have a bottle of water nearby. Encourage them to drink it as they enjoy their treats. Having water while enjoying candy will help rinse away the sugars and acids. Furthermore, instruct your child to rinse their mouth with water after eating candy, especially when they cannot immediately brush their teeth.  

Tip 6: Mindful Candy Timing

Teach your children to be mindful of how often they consume candy. Snacking on sugary substances throughout the day is harmful to the teeth. Your mouth will stay in an acidic environment, contributing to the development of tooth decay. Although saliva helps neutralize the acid, snacking too frequently increases your toothache risk. 

Instead, enjoy your Halloween candy during designated periods of time when you can brush your teeth afterward. Not only does this minimize exposure to sugar, but it eliminates any lingering bacteria after brushing.

Avoid eating candy close to bedtime. It will protect your teeth while you sleep.   

Tip 7: Propose a Trade 

Kids often get more candy than they can eat. Use your child’s candy as currency to purchase other items, such as more time on their tablet or game console. Having their favorite healthy treats on standby for them to trade candy for may also be helpful.  

Tip 8: Maintain Regular Oral Hygiene

Brushing correctly with toothpaste helps prevent tooth decay, so get your child into the habit of using it. Using fluoridated toothpaste or rinses will help strengthen the teeth. Help younger children brush their teeth correctly and eliminate sugary debris at the end of the day. 

Practice flossing once daily to remove any bacteria and particles stuck between teeth. And remember to replace your toothbrush regularly, especially after the Halloween season.

Regular dental appointments are another crucial step for maintaining your child’s oral hygiene. A dentist can diagnose tooth decay well before your child notices cavity symptoms. But they can also provide tooth pain relief when necessary.  

Get Professional Dental Care at Berrien Dental

We want your child to enjoy Halloween candy as much as we do. But we also want you to get regular checkups and cleanings to ensure they’re taking care of their oral health. Contact Berrien Dental today to schedule your first appointment.