While most of the time, your dentist will warn you not to eat too much candy, that advice may go out the window for Halloween. At this time of year, a lot of people eat more sugar than usual. However, it doesn't have to be a problem for your dental health, especially if you follow these tips.

How to Make Healthy Choices While Still Enjoying Candy

1. Drink Water

Bacteria in your mouth feed on sugar and secrete acid that erodes your dental enamel, forming cavities. The longer the sugar sits on your teeth, the more acid the bacteria will produce. Drinking water after you eat candy or even just rinsing your mouth washes away the sugar and dilutes the acid, protecting your teeth from decay.

2. Brush Your Teeth Correctly

For an even better clean that eliminates the sugar and reduces the number of bacteria in your mouth, brush your teeth after eating candy and before going to bed. Use a soft-bristled brush to avoid gum irritation and fluoride toothpaste to help replenish the minerals in your teeth. Brush every tooth surface with circular motions, and focus along the gumline, where bacteria-filled plaque often forms. Next, floss to make sure you're cleaning any food debris and plaque from between your teeth, as well.

3. Make Smart Candy Choices

Not all candy is equally bad for teeth. Options that you chew and swallow are better for your teeth than hard candy, which you suck on for a long time, as the sugar will be in contact with your teeth for a shorter period. Snacks with soft or natural colors cause less staining than ones with bright dyes. If you have a choice between two treats, your dentist may recommend choosing cookies or soft candy, like chocolate, over a hard one. Also, avoid bright purple, green, orange, red, or black candy.

If you need to make a trip to the family dentist after Halloween, choose Dental Arts in Huntington Station, NY. With a second location in Wyandanch, this experienced Suffolk County and Nassau County dentist provides both general and pediatric dentistry services, from simple checkups to teeth straightening. Visit their website to learn more, or get in touch at (631) 591-9200 to speak to a team member.