Four Tips To Avoid Jack-O-Lantern Teeth This Halloween

By Damien Cuffie, DDS, MPH

Did you know that we celebrate more than just Halloween on October 31? We also celebrate the end of National Dental Hygiene Month, making it the perfect time of the year to show our kids how to make smart oral health decisions.

Here are my favorite tips for making it through Halloween with healthy teeth and good oral hygiene:

• Some candy is better for teeth than others. As a dentist, I don’t generally recommend eating a lot of candy, but this time of year I know it is unavoidable for most kids. Stick to candies that are less damaging than others – pun intended. Candies that are sticky and chewy tend to get stuck in the crevices of your teeth and cause cavities. Candies that stay in your mouth longer like lollipops can also be more harmful because your teeth are exposed to the sugar for a longer period of time. I recommend sorting out these types of candies from your child’s Halloween haul and only keeping the candy that is quicker to eat and lower in sugars, such as chocolates and powdery candy.

• Practice good dental hygiene after eating candy. Brushing twice a day is always important to maintaining good oral health; however, when your sugar intake increases, it is especially important to take some extra steps. Rinsing your mouth with water after consuming candy can reduce your chances of tooth decay by washing away leftover sugars. And make Halloween night the night you reinforce flossing – especially if any of those chewy candies were eaten.

• Donate extra Halloween candy. Many kids consider how much candy they gather on Halloween night a measure of success. Instead of keeping the whole stash for themselves, they can consider sharing the wealth. Nonprofits programs such as Treats for Troops offer a great opportunity to support other communities and bring the joy that gathering candy brought your own child to someone else who didn’t have the chance. Donating your child’s Halloween candy also happens to be a great way to limit how much candy your child consumes. I recommend sitting down with your child to help them pick a few of their favorites and then packing up the rest. If you cant find a convenient organization, check your local dentist office. Some dental offices will even reward patients for bringing in candy.

• There are alternatives to candy. Consider purchasing non-food treats for those who visit your home. Stickers, pencils, small toys and coloring books are good options. I even remember one house in my neighborhood that gave out coins (a cauldron full of pennies, if you can imagine). Treasures last longer than candy and can even be more fun for kids.

So this year remember, Halloween doesn’t have to be scary for parents (or dentists) if you follow these tips. Happy Halloween!

Whatever your age or stage, improving the oral health of all is our mission at DentaQuest, part of Sun Life U.S. Click here for more helpful oral health tips and information for you and your family.