Halloween candy doesn’t have to mean a trip to the dentist for the wrong reasons. A few simple habits let kids enjoy the holiday while limiting the damage.
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Favor moderation over restriction. Fun-sized candies deliver the same flavor with less sugar per piece than a full-sized bar.
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Stay hydrated. Water rinses sugar from teeth and helps neutralize the acidity sugar creates in the mouth.
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Spread candy out, don’t graze on it. Eating a few pieces with a meal, rather than throughout the day, limits how long teeth stay exposed to sugar and acid.
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Skip sticky and chewy candy. Gummies, caramels, and taffy cling to teeth and are hard to fully remove with brushing, giving decay more time to take hold.
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Watch out for sour candy. Its high acid content can wear down enamel faster than most other sweets.
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Chew sugar-free gum afterward. It increases saliva flow, which helps clear away leftover sugar and acid.
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Be cautious with hard candy and lollipops. Because they dissolve slowly, they keep teeth exposed to sugar for longer than most other treats.
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Brush soon after eating candy. Getting to the sugar before bacteria do is one of the simplest ways to prevent cavities.
If you’re due for a checkup this season, call Densley Dental at (702) 212-6641 to schedule an appointment.