Halloween is becoming more popular every year, especially among children who get to dress up, carve pumpkins and enjoy haunted houses and hayrides. Of course, it’s also a holiday replete with tempting treats. Kids consume an average of 7,000 calories, or three cups of sugar, according to The Economic Times.

Our friendly family dentist at Caring Dental wants parents to know that there are strategies for letting your children enjoy the festivities while protecting them from tooth decay in the aftermath.

Here are some tips that are appropriate at this time of year and beyond, provided by the American Dental Association.

• Enjoying a bit of candy with or after meals is far better than binging or snacking on candy alone. Saliva production increases during mealtimes, helping to rinse away bits of candy and bacteria-causing acids in your mouth.
• A small amount of chocolate, which is the most popular Halloween candy, is a better choice than other treats. It’s not as sticky as some candies, and dark and semisweet varieties contain less sugar than milk chocolate.
• Treats that are best avoided are candies that are hard, sticky or gummy, which can damage or cling to your teeth. Sour candy contains acids that wear away the hard, protective coating of your teeth called the enamel.
• Chewing sugar-free gum after eating produces saliva that washes away bits of food and neutralizes acids.
• Once Halloween is over, choose some favorites from the trick-or-treat haul and get rid of the rest. Most packaged candy can’t survive until next Halloween.

Halloween is a good time to double down on your oral hygiene routine. Brush at least twice a day, for two minutes each time, using a fluoride toothpaste, and floss at least once a day.

Our entire staff at Caring Dental wishes you and your family a safe and healthy Halloween. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact us today!