With fall in full swing, your little ghosts and ghouls are preparing to fill their bags with chocolates, gummies, and other seasonal favorites. Following the best dental care practices when consuming candy is essential for the whole family, especially with eight out of 10 parents admitting to sneaking a treat from their child’s Halloween treat bag. Keep your family’s dental care in optimal shape by following these four do’s and don’ts for Halloween candy.

Do:

Stick with sugar-free sweets.

Candy contains large amounts of sugar that cling to your teeth and feeds the bacteria in your mouth. When this bacteria accumulates, you develop plaque, which attacks the enamel of your teeth, leaving you susceptible to decay. Opting for candy or gum that is sugar-free or contains xylitol can reduce oral bacteria.

Avoid hard or sticky candy.

Certain candies can cause more harm than others. Hard or extra chewy sweets can damage your teeth through faster decay or cracks, so avoid taffies and lollipops. Choose something that dissolves faster like chocolate or powdered sugar.

Don’t:

Snack on candy all day.

While you may be worried about getting an upset stomach from too much candy, snacking on sweets all day is also detrimental to your oral health. The longer sugar sits on your teeth, the more time it has to weaken enamel and cause cavities. Pick one specific time for snacking on candy, then put the sweets away for the day.

Forget to brush when you’re done.

When you’re done treating yourself to a Halloween chocolate, follow your routine dental care practices. This means brushing for at least two minutes, then flossing to remove any remaining food particles from between your teeth. Keep in mind that you should wait at least half an hour after eating candy to brush your teeth; doing so sooner will end up scrubbing the sugars into your weakened enamel.

Minimize Halloween candy’s effects on your family’s smiles with a visit to Stephanie ML Wong, DMD, in Honolulu, HI. Voted Best Dentist by Honolulu Magazine, the team provides the complete patient experience, including preventative, restorative, and cosmetic services. Find out more about their dental care offerings online, or call (808) 732-3072 to make an appointment.