October is here and Halloween is right around the corner. Chances are, your pantry or cupboards will be overflowing with the kids’ leftover candy possibly until New Years. The damage from that special night can last long after the jack-o-lanterns have been blown out. How can you allow the kids to join in on the fun trick-or-treating but still encourage good dental health?
Here are a few friendly and fun ways to help your family & community avoid unnecessary trips to the dentist this year:

  • Can you get away with NOT giving candy for Halloween? (and also not have your house ‘TP’d) The answer is yes. Granola bars, fruit snacks, pudding cups, cracker jacks, crackers, juice boxes and even chocolate covered fruit can bring smiles to faces. Twizzlers and Rasinetes can count towards bonus points from both kids and parents.
  • Buy-Back: Find out if any providers in your area offer a “Candy-Buy Back Program”- offering to reimburse your kids for all the candy they bring in. Score!
  • Candy Swap: If you can’t find a buy back program, offer to have your kids trade their teeth-killing goods for less harmful ones. The stickier candies, like taffy and gummy bears, take longer to get washed away by saliva, increasing the risk for tooth decay. Ex: jawbreakers-> chocolates. Hard candies and suckers can sit on the teeth and biting can even cause them to crack or chip. Swap these rocks for safer, soft candies.
  • Brush after sweets! Make sure your kids brush after indulging on infrequent sweet treats. Removing the sugar & acid from the mouth is important.
  • Give creative treats! Even non-edible goodies are great alternatives as Halloween handouts! Costume jewelry, temporary tattoos, glow sticks, sticker sheets, are just a few fun ideas for handouts for trick-or-treaters.

Make sure to keep up on your regular dental check-ups and cleaning here at Cosmetic Dental Associates. Make your post-Halloween appointment here.