Halloween Candy Dental Health Tips – Most kids would think a healthy snack in their Halloween bag is a lot more of a trick than a treat. Nevertheless, there are tooth-friendly (friendlier) candies and ways to keep those dental goblins at bay this year.
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“If you want to choose wisely, choose chocolate,” said Dr. Jed Jacobson, former chief science officer and senior vice president of Delta Dental of Michigan. “Chocolate melts quickly so it isn’t as hazardous to dental work and it’s easier to brush away. Even better are the chocolates and candies with ingredients like Xylitol and Mannitol. They taste good and have been shown to reduce the risk of tooth decay in kids.”
On the other hand, gummy or sticky treats can uproot fillings. Hard candy and suckers lead to an acid attack on the teeth not only while they are in the mouth but for 20 minutes after eating them.
No matter what kind of treats your children receive this Halloween, following them up with a glass of water will help rinse the sugar away. Eating crunchy fruits and vegetables after candy also can help clean the teeth.
To avoid the sugar overload from kids diving into their bags of goodies at the end of the night, Jacobson also recommends serving a healthy, nutritious meal before sending trick-or-treaters into the neighborhood. That way, they won’t be as hungry when they return with a bag full of sweets.
Parents also should consider having their own Halloween treat on hand at the end of the night.
“Give kids a new, brightly colored toothbrush to get ready for bedtime with,” Jacobson said. “Children should always brush before they go to bed, but it is even more important after eating sugary snacks.”
For more Halloween Candy Dental Health Tips, contact Delta Dental of Michigan via their website.
