Dental Tips For A Healthy Halloween

It is that time of year again when the ghosts come out to play, the witches grab their broom sticks and the skeletons start to rattle their bones. It’s a fun time for children and families to dress up and indulge but it’s also important we remember our dental hygiene. For teeth as magnificent as a vampire and not rotten like a corpse, check out our tips to have a healthy (and COVID-safe) Halloween below.

Our Healthy Halloween Tips

1. Pick Wisely: when choosing sweets, steer away from hard candy that could cause teeth to break or crack – and sticky candies that can attach to teeth for too long. Choose softer easy to chew lollies, or consider a plain milk chocolate (like a Freddo frog) it’s even better than a lolly as it doesn’t stick to teeth at all and the kids love them!  If you have younger children show them what to look for when they are choosing from the offerings on the day.
2. Enjoy in moderation: It’s very easy to get carried away and over indulge on Halloween. With the latest advice suggesting the recommended daily allowance is 7 teaspoons of sugar (or 28 grams) it’s easy to see how Halloween treats can send this skyrocketing.
3. Set Limits: Eating a constant flow of lollies all afternoon/evening isn’t a great idea. Although it’s easy for kids to wander consuming their haul on the walk, try to moderate consumption and save lollies to eat ‘when we get home’. That way, there will be less time for teeth to be exposed to those high sugar levels.
4. Timing: The best time to eat these types of food that can cause damage to your teeth is considered to be straight after a meal when saliva is still in production and able to wash sugars away.
5. Brush, but not straight away: While it’s tempting to run for the toothbrush to remove all traces of a good time straight after consumption, remember that some types of foods can soften enamel, so being too quick to clean can mean you could be brushing away the protective enamel on your teeth. Wait a while and brush for a good two minutes before going to bed after the trick or treat excitement. Good brushing will lead to healthier teeth and your mouth will feel much cleaner and fresher. By looking after your teeth effectively, you will be doing all you can to prevent oral health problems in the future. This is important to remember all year round, not just on Halloween.
6. Try a healthy alternative: Why not have fruits as a treat this year? You can create some scary healthier treats with a little imagination.
7. Enjoy yourself! Halloween is meant to be a fun, crazy family and friend’s event, your Little Pet Monsters will remember Trick or Treating forever. Follow these simple guidelines and have a great COVID-safe time!

Author Summary – Dr Chitra Rao

Dr. Chitra Rao has over a decade of experience in dentistry, specifically in the field of cosmetic and orthodontic treatments. Dedicated to achieving optimal results, she takes a detailed and personalised approach to creating beautiful, confident smiles for her patients. Outside of dentistry, Dr. Chitra enjoys staying active, traveling, and spending time with her family.