Halloween may be known for haunted houses, creepy zombies and monsters that roam in the night. However, the sweeter side of Halloween, the overload of candy, can produce much scarier results than ghosts and ghouls. Completely avoiding candy at Halloween may be too difficult for you, and not very festive. So, here are some tips to help stay healthier during the holidays and avoid those terrifying cavities later on.
Having a life without any treats would be boring, simply be more selective about which types of treats that you eat. Choose treats that won’t stick around in the mouth too long. Chocolate melts faster than gummies or taffy, which stick into the pits and grooves of your teeth. The longer that sugar is in your mouth, the more your risk of developing cavities increases.
Instead of handing out candy to trick-or-treaters, try healthier goodies like chips, sugar-free gum, or granola bars. You could also try non-food items such as stickers, glow sticks, slime, trading cards, or temporary tattoos. These treats can be just as exciting as a bag full of candies.
If you have to hand out candy, look into sugar-free options such as Xylitol sweetened treats, several brands make chewing gum, lollipops and hard candies. Xylitol is a natural sweetener that is antibacterial towards cavity-causing sugar bugs. Remember to keep your pets away from Xylitol treats; however, they can be harmful. Xylitol is known to be extremely toxic for dogs.
Enjoy some of the treats the first few days after Halloween but then take the rest and leave it out overnight for the Switch Witch. The Switch Witch pick up candy and switch it for a toy or special surprise that won’t hurt teeth.
Be sure to brush your teeth for 2 minutes with fluoride-containing toothpaste after eating any sugary treats. Flossing will help to clean out stubborn bits of candy that get stuck in between teeth.
It’s crucial to balance the treats with healthy choices to avoid tricky situations later on. Be sure to visit your dental office regularly to keep your teeth clean and to monitor your oral health.