Halloween is around the corner, which for most children means bags of free candy and a chance to build a stockpile of sweets for the summer. No surprise, Halloween can also present parents with a variety of health and safety challenges. “It’s OK to eat that candy on Halloween, but it’s important to have a plan,” says Dr. Ninad.

Here are some handy hints:

Time It Right
Eat Halloween candy (and other sugary foods) with meals or shortly after mealtime. Saliva production increases during meals. This helps cancel out acids produced by bacteria in your mouth and rinse away food particles.

Stay Away from Sweet Snacks
Snacking can increase your risk of cavities, and it’s double the trouble if you keep grabbing sugary treats from the candy bowl. “Snacking on candy throughout the day is not ideal for your dental health or diet,” Dr. Ninad says.

Choose Sweets Carefully
Avoid hard candy and other sweets that stay in your mouth for a long time. Aside from how often you snack, the length of time sugary food is in your mouth plays a role in tooth decay. Unless it is a sugar-free product, candies that stay in the mouth for a long period subject teeth to an increased risk for tooth decay.

Get to enjoy Halloween and be smart with your sugar intake! For a check-up, Contact Us today.