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With Halloween comes ghosts, goblins, ghouls, and, yes CANDY! The sugar in those treats can play some unwanted tricks on your teeth if you aren’t careful.

Here’s why – The bacteria found in our mouths eat the sugar and leftover food in your mouth which produces an acid. This acid can contribute to cavities. But, Halloween is all about candy, and dressing up and having a good time! It’s OK to eat that candy on Halloween as a splurge if you are brushing and flossing twice a day the rest of the year.

To help you sort through those treat bags Dr. Joy Lunan has put together a list of some common candies and their impact on your teeth.

Chocolate – This is probably your best bet because it washes off your teeth easier than other types of candy. Dark chocolate also has less sugar than milk chocolate.

Gummies – These are the worst candies because they are harder to remove and may stay longer on your teeth, which gives the cavity- causing bacteria a longer time to work.

Hard Candy – These can actually break your teeth if you’re not careful. People tend to suck on these candies which means they are in your mouth for long periods of time letting the sugar get into your saliva which then washes over the teeth.

Sour Candy – These can be quite acidic, and that acidity can weaken and damage the outer portion of your teeth, making them vulnerable to cavities.

Popcorn Balls – Keep some floss handy for when you are finished with one of these. The kernels can get stuck in your teeth and they are also sugary, sticky and can be hard.

If you’d like to be tooth- friendly this Halloween try handing out these items in place of sugary treats:

Things that “Glow” Bump in the Night – Light up the night by handing out glow sticks, bracelets or necklaces. In addition to being fun add-ons to costumes, they’ll help parents keep an eye on their little ghouls.

Trick or Treating Thirst Quenchers – Running from house to house in a heavy costume can be thirsty work! Offer small bottles of water to wash away anything sugary these goblins may have already consumed in between houses.

Sweet Without the Sugar– This is a treat that’s actually good for your teeth! Research shows that chewing sugar-free gum after meals (or after eating Halloween candy) stimulates saliva production, which helps prevent cavities.

Trick or Trinkets – How about a non-edible treat? You can buy small toys like yo-yos, bouncy balls, finger puppets, or spider rings at discount stores. Vampire teeth or pirate eye patches are some other favorites.

Stamps (or stickers) of Approval – Spooky stickers let these ghosts leave their mark on just about anything.

On Point Pencils – Pencils with a Halloween design and erasers shaped like pumpkins are a fun and useful treat kids can take to school after the Halloween fun is done.

In closing, it’s OK to eat candy on Halloween but it’s important to have a plan. After Halloween is over have your family pick their favorites and donate the rest. Try Looking for organizations that help you donate candy to troops overseas.  Operation Gratitude, Soldier’s Angels, Operation Stars and Stripes, Operation Shoebox and Any Soldier are a few to look into. Check online at HalloweenCandyBuyback.com for organizations that you can donate to. Try donating to Ronald McDonald House Charities. Kids can even use it for crafts or even turn it into parents in exchange for a small toy. You can always bring it to your local soup kitchen, homeless shelter, food pantry, or retirement home. 

And remember, regular visits to Dr. Joy Lunan can prevent problems from occurring and catch those that start early (when they are easy to “treat”).  Call us to schedule a post-Halloween check-up today.  (203)598-7920   www.middleburydentist.com   Check out our reviews

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