The last thing most kids want to find in their pillow cases after a night of trick-or-treating are boring tooth-friendly candies. So the trick is to stock up on fun snacks that also respect their mouths. Here are a few tips for keeping Halloween smiles big and healthy.
Avoid
Lollipops and jawbreakers: They spend the most time in our mouths increasing the risk of tooth decay. They’re also a very hard and increase the risk of fracturing teeth, especially when they’re devoured quickly.
Chewy candy: Caramel and taffy lodge themselves deep into teeth, setting up camp for plaque and decay to form. They’re more difficult to brush away, and the syrup they’re made with is terrible for contributing to cavities.
Sour candies: In addition to being high in sugar, sour candies are very acidic which leads to the erosion of tooth enamel.
Stock up on
Chocolate: Of the ‘popular’ Halloween candy contenders, chocolate is the least harmful to teeth because it melts in your mouth the fastest (what a lovely thought). Dark chocolate is best because it has a lower sugar content.
Potato Chips: While they’re usually acidic, the particles are easy to remove with brushing and flossing. And whatever they’re dressed with is easy to wash away.
Cookies: Perfect for sneaking in a bit of a healthy treat, you can find fruit-based cookies or ones made with whole wheat. The kids’ll still love’em.
Whatever they come home with, remind them to brush and floss extra diligently Halloween night. And of course, early November is a good time to visit the dentist to make sure nothing sticks around after the big night.
