You have the Halloween costume and trick-or-treating bag, but are you ready to fill it with all the candy and goodies? And then experience the sugar crash that inevitably comes after. 

Every parent’s been there. We dare to call it a rite of passage. 

But this year, we have a couple “tricks” up our sleeve.  

Here are 5 dental tips for a healthy Halloween mouth that’ll help keep the kids happy and have fun while doing it.  

5 DENTAL TIPS FOR A HEALTHY HALLOWEEN MOUTH

DON’T SKIP DINNER BEFORE TRICK-OR-TREATING

This is an important one because it can potentially keep some (we didn’t say all!) kids from wanting to binge on candy post-trick-or-treating.

A healthy dinner (don’t forget a good amount of protein) can fill the stomach and quell the mind before it’s time to knock on doors asking for treats. 

With a full belly (and water for hydration) the kids should be content until they get home to rummage. Or pass out from all the fun and excitement! 

KNOW WHAT CANDY TO AVOID 

When it comes time to choose the best candy for your household, keep in mind what is the healthiest for the mouth. 

Taffy, gummy bears and caramel tend to stick and make it harder to keep the sugar away from your teeth.

For long-term dental health, it’s best to choose easy-to-eat candy, and now is definitely not the time to ease up on your brushing and flossing schedule. 

SNACK AROUND MEALTIME 

You’ve officially sorted through the candy and now you have a pile worthy of savoring—and the perfect time to do that is around mealtime or soon after. 

This gives your mouth the opportunity to rinse away damaging sugars and bacteria thanks to the production of saliva while eating. 

THINK OF ALTERNATIVE IDEAS FOR CANDY

Halloween is synonymous with candy and costumes and people being whisked away by the freight and fun of this time of the year. 

Something to think about is making your own traditions for Halloween.

Ideas for alternatives to candy?

• Donate the candy you do receive. Check into local organizations that offer this as an opportunity. 

• Create non-candy options like pretzels, chips, trail mix, and healthy bars like granola, etc. 

• Offer a gift card or cash for the amount of candy your child brings home. Example: 5 pounds of candy equals a $5 equivalent in cash/gift card. 

HAVE FUN

Most of all?have fun! 

Remember this time only comes around once a year and the goal is to have your kid(s) remember the fun over the frustration. 

If you can set healthy expectations like letting them know you’ll go through the candy in the morning versus at night and a reminder to be extra vigilant about brushing…this Halloween may just go down in the family history books as fun and easy on the teeth! 

Have post-Halloween sugar blues (err…pain!) with your teeth?

We’d be happy to take a look and see what’s causing the pain! 

Contact Integrity De?ntal in Pueblo, CO to get started.