As dentists, our number one priority is to keep your teeth healthy, but when it comes to Halloween, too many people think dentists hate the holiday.
There’s always been that old trope of dentists passing out toothbrushes other Halloween-themed items instead of candy on Halloween night as kids trick-or-treat around the neighborhood. However, the reality is that the dental community wants you and your children to have a happy Halloween while being careful to take good care of your teeth. And yes, that does include indulging in some candy.
Here are some tips we suggest during this fun time of year that you can use to keep your pearly whites, well, pearly white.
Eating Sweets and Treats on Halloween
Here’s a little secret a dentist doesn’t mind sharing: you can, in fact, eat candy this Halloween and still maintain a healthy smile! Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Chocolate Is Better Than Most Other Candies – Sure, chocolate treats can have a high sugar content that’s not ideal for your teeth. However, it melts fast and doesn’t put unnecessary stress on your teeth and gums like taffy, caramel, hard candy, and other sticky candies would.
- Don’t Forget to Rinse – Sweets and sugary goodness can inflict a substantial amount of damage to your teeth if you’re not careful. So we always recommend swishing around some warm water in your mouth or brushing your teeth when you’re all finished enjoying your trick-or-treating candy.
- Spread Out the Sugar Intake – For parents, we highly recommend limiting the sugary candies. This doesn’t mean that your child can’t enjoy their well-earned trick-or-treating candy, but that you should spread out the candy consumption instead. Maybe on the evening of Halloween, your child can enjoy 5-10 small pieces of candy (which should be more than enough to satisfy their sweet tooth for the evening). Then you can let them indulge in a piece or two of candy here and there throughout November. It’s no secret that Halloween candy holds up for quite some time, so please don’t rush through that bag of candy for the sake of your oral health.
- Continue Your Oral Health Routine as Always – What’s the best way to keep your teeth healthy? You keep up those good dental habits day in and day out. Make sure you brush your teeth twice a day, floss once a day, and use a rinse if needed. Always visit your dentist every six months, and if you ever feel any discomfort or that something is not right with your teeth and gums, call your dentist right away!
Oak Hills Dentistry Wishes You a Happy Halloween!
From all of us at Oak Hills Dentistry, Happy Halloween! We hope you enjoy this fun holiday and take the necessary steps to keep your teeth healthy.
If you’re in the Layton, Utah area, we’d love to see you! Contact us today to make an appointment and learn more about our family dental and cosmetic dentistry services. We can’t wait to meet you!