Don’t Be Tricked by Treats This Halloween!

Trick or treat! It’s October again, which means it’s time for scary costumes, pleasant pumpkins, and terrifyingly sweet treats! But while this time of year is a lot of fun, every day can’t be a Halloween. That’s why it’s important to protect your mouth from the horrors of bad oral health year-round. Here are some helpful tips for keeping your teeth safe from all that candy and junk food this spooky season, so your smile stays no matter the month!

Sticky Situation

One of the worst oral health offenders that kids encounter each Halloween is sticky candy like taffy, caramels, and gummies. These tasty treats have a habit of lingering around on the teeth a little too long, increasing your risk for cavities. Worse yet, they can even damage delicate dental work, so it’s best if you swap them for something safer.

Hard Decisions

Hard candies not only keep sugar coating your teeth as you eat them, but many people also don’t have the patience to allow them to dissolve completely and end up crunching them before they’re done. This can damage your teeth or dentures if you’re not careful. It also poses a choking hazard for younger children.

Ghoulishly Good

Don’t worry! Not all trick-or-treats are on the naughty list (oops, wrong holiday!). Candy like candy corn and chocolate are perennial favorites, and because they’re easy to chew and don’t hang out too long on your teeth, they’re much safer for your smile! “Bone” Appetit!

How to Safely Consume Candy

Now that you know which candies to keep, here’s a few guidelines for safe consumption.

• Limit candy to one piece per day.
•  Schedule your treat for the same time each day, preferably after dinner. Not only will it prevent all-day noshing, but it will also only be on your teeth briefly before your bedtime brushing!
• Don’t forget to brush and floss your teeth regularly (two times a day for brushing; once a day for flossing).
• Schedule your next semi-annual dental exam and cleaning if you haven’t already.

Remember, the spooky season can give you quite a scare in the best way possible, but don’t let terror take its toll on your teeth by indulging in too many tricky treats!

About Dr Rosenfeld

Dr. David S. Rosenfeld is a skilled dentist with advanced training in everything from dental prosthetics to cosmetic and restorative dentistry. His knowledge of oral health is only matched by his kindness and compassion, and his commitment to providing quality care to his patients.

To schedule an appointment for an exam and cleaning with Rosenfeld Dental Associates, please visit our website or call us today at 908-688-7838.