How to Avoid Dental Problems on Halloween

With October here, perhaps you’re excited for Halloween. That’s only natural – the 31st will have candy, parties, and other things to enjoy! Still, you don’t need to get cavities from this holiday. It’s entirely possible to avoid oral health issues on Halloween. To do so, you just need to use the right tips and tricks. Luckily, your Grand Prairie dentist can teach you a few. Here are four helpful ways to protect your smile during All Hallows’ Eve.

Be Choosey with Candy

To the extent you can, choose your Halloween candy carefully. Some of these sweets are worse for teeth than others.

For instance, avoid sticky and sour candies. Those like caramel, gummies, and fruit snacks harm oral health. Once chewed, they cling to your enamel, exposing your teeth to sugar over long periods.

If you need a substitute candy, try dark chocolate. It’s rich in antioxidants and very tasty. Plus, it won’t stick to your teeth like other Halloween goodies.

Don’t Keep a Candy Stash

On Halloween night, it’s tempting to gather candy into a “stash” of sorts. However, doing so isn’t a wise move. You’ll end up eating more sugar and risk severe tooth decay.

To avoid the “stash” issue, let your family pick their favorite sweets and donate the rest. Many charitable groups accept candy as a donation. For example, Operation Gratitude can send your Halloween treats to troops overseas.

Only Eat Candy at Mealtimes

When done trick-or-treating, kids like to eat candy at all hours. Many will eat such sweets in high quantities. Obviously, this habit can cause them to get cavities.

Given these facts, only let your children have candy with meals. This setup ensures they benefit from the extra saliva in their mouths. After all, higher levels of the mouth liquid will rinse out leftover candy and bacterial acids.

Practice Good Oral Hygiene

Even if you’re careful, Halloween often ends with sugar on children’s teeth. Therefore, have your kids practice good oral hygiene after eating candy.

In particular, youngsters should stick to the dental basics. The first is to brush one’s teeth twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Next, there’s the rule to floss at least once daily. Your kids should also be prudent and rinse often with mouthwash.

With the tips above, your whole family can avoid oral health issues on Halloween. So, make sure they’re used when the 31st arrives!

About the Practice

Care 32 Dental is based in Grand Prairie, TX. Led by Drs. Heliben and Krunal Desai, our practice strives to give each patient a pretty and flourishing smile. Thus, we provide the finest preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dental care. At the same time, our office is a certified provider of dental sedation and Invisalign clear aligners. For more details or to book a visit, you can reach us on our website or by phone at (469)-837-8351.