Halloween Candy and Your Dental Health
Oct 09, 2019
For kids both young and old, Halloween is a fun and exciting time of the year. It’s thrilling to dress up and get scared—or scare others. It’s even more fun to go door to door and ask for candy. This tradition has been ingrained in our society, and it’s something that has been occurring for a long time. If there’s a downside to it, it’s the fact that the sugar can have an impact on your dental health.
If you’re like most people, then you know that sugar isn’t good for you. Not only does it have an impact on your teeth, but it can also lead to weight gain and other health issues. However, Halloween only comes around once a year, so you might be wondering if it’s really that bad to let kids (or yourself) indulge.
If anyone has anything to say about your dental health, it’s your dentist in Scottsdale. They see the impacts and results of a high-sugar diet, so they will probably warn you about overindulging during this time of the year.
At the same time, they don’t want to be a killjoy. They also know that you are probably going to partake anyway. Thus, they have some words of wisdom when it comes to candy to lower the risks of developing cavities.
If you have to partake in eating candy, then make sure you are doing it at the right time. For your dental health, it is recommended that you eat candy right after or as close after a meal as possible. This is because the saliva production in your mouth increases during this time, and it can rinse out any acids and food particles that might be present.
It’s best to avoid snacking on Halloween candy as well. Snacking itself can lead to an increased risk of cavities because of the particles that get left on your teeth. When you add sugar into the mix, the risk becomes greater. Snacking on high-sugar foods also isn’t good for your overall health.
If there’s one thing during Halloween, it’s an abundance of candy choices. For your dental health, family dentists recommend staying away from candies that stay in your mouth for a long time. This includes hard candy and other things that you suck on. The longer you have the candy, the higher the chances of sugar acids getting on and in between your teeth where they can cause a lot of damage.
In addition to staying away from hard candy, it’s advised that you stay away from sticky candy as well. These have a tendency to cling to your teeth, making it harder for the saliva in your mouth to wash away the particles. The longer the sugar stays on your teeth, the higher the chances you have for tooth decay.
The more candy you have in your stash, the more tempting it will be to eat it. Therefore, to reduce the chances of going after candy when you shouldn’t, reduce the size of your stash. You might also consider buying candy as close to Halloween as possible. This will also reduce the temptation to snack on it before the holiday rolls around.
You probably hear all the time that you should drink more water, but it really applies to Halloween. It can work in conjunction with your saliva and rinse food particles from the surface of your teeth, reducing the risk of dental health issues. If you frequently drink bottled water, for the health of your teeth, consider finding some that have been treated with fluoride.
Hopefully, you are already brushing for at least 2 minutes and flossing twice a day. Now, more than ever, you need to keep up with your cleaning habits. This will ensure that any particles or sugar acids are removed from your mouth so that they don’t cause decay and cavities.
In addition to brushing regularly, you should also be making appointments to see your dentist twice a year. You don’t necessarily need to go in October—unless you are experiencing tooth issues (or that’s when your regular appointment falls).
Regular checkups and cleanings will keep your teeth in tip-top shape and find any issues before they become huge problems. Your dental health is tied to your overall health, so make sure you are taking care of your teeth to take care of your body.
A lot of people look forward to Halloween and may even celebrate for the entire month of October. You may be worried about what kind of impact the sugar in Halloween candy will have on you or your child’s teeth and if you should allow them to have it at all. There’s nothing wrong with indulging here and there, but make sure to do so in moderation and at the right times.