Halloween can play some major tricks on your child’s teeth if you’re not careful.  We don’t discourage anyone from treating their sweet tooth this time of year, but we want to help make Halloween not so scary for parents who care about their child’s oral health.  Here are some tricks on how to keep your child’s teeth happy and healthy without taking the fun out of Halloween

Avoid Sticky/Chewy, Sour/Acidic, and Hard Candy

We all know that candy isn’t good for teeth, but some candies are worse than others. The stickier the food is, the longer it will stick to your child’s teeth and the more likely it is to be left behind, even after brushing.  This gives bacteria more time to do their dirty work, making your child’s teeth more prone to cavities.  Sour candy has a higher level of acid then other types of candies, which is bad for teeth. This acid promotes the erosion of tooth enamel and leads to tooth decay.  Hard candy is bad because of the length of time it takes to suck on the candy before it dissolves.  Chewing on hard candy can also the risk of chipping or breaking a tooth.

The Best Candies for My Child to Eat

Chocolate is a better alternative to indulge in since they tend to dissolve quickly in the mouth and is easily washed away by saliva and water.   Sugar free candies and chewing gum have less sugar and less acid than other types of candy and some actually stimulates salivary production, which naturally rinses the mouth and keeps plaque from adhering to the teeth.

Treat Your Child’s Sweet Tooth at Meal Time

Allow your children to eat their favorite candies right after a meal instead of randomly during the day.  Right after eating, saliva production is at its peak and can help neutralize acids produced by bacteria in your mouth.  And as mentioned earlier, saliva helps rinse away food that can stick your teeth and cause cavities.

Brush and Floss Your Teeth

Once your child has consumed their candy, encourage them to brush their teeth and floss 30 min after their last bite.  This helps remove sugar and particles that may be sticking to your child’s teeth.