How to Handle the Halloween Candy Onslaught

Let’s get the obvious points out of the way right off the bat: The average household’s candy supply increases precipitously around Halloween. Candy is, generally speaking, not particularly friendly to dental health. And whether it’s you or your kids (or both!) who will be eating that candy, it should be eaten in moderation.

But you already knew all that stuff, right? You’re not here to read your 10 millionth reminder that cramming a bunch of candy bars – yes, even if they’re “fun size” – in your face would be an unwise decision. The question isn’t whether candy is bad for you; it’s how to best handle a sudden influx of it. And on that subject, we might be able to give you some Halloween dental tips you haven’t heard every October of your entire life.

Minimizing the Damage

We’re not going to tell you not to eat candy – and even if we did, we know very few people would listen. If you’re going to indulge, though, there are plenty of things you can do to reduce the negative impact on your oral health.

Time Isn’t on Your Side

Some types of candy are more harmful to your teeth than others, and one of the key factors is time: The longer it’s in your mouth, the more time it has to contribute to tooth decay. One key suspect is hard candy, such as suckers and peppermints. Not only can these candies cause decay, they also pose a risk – if not a huge one – of chipping otherwise damaging teeth.

Sticky candy (taffy, caramel, gummy bears, gummy worms) should also be viewed with caution. If you’re going to have this kind of candy, chew it thoroughly, and give strong consideration to brushing immediately afterward – or tell your child to do so, if they’re the one eating those gummy bears. If you’re attending Halloween parties, you should also be mindful of sugary beverages, which can create problems of their own.

When to Dip into the Candy Stash

Timing plays an important role, too. The best time to eat candy is during or immediately after a meal, as the mouth produces more saliva during meals, and that saliva will help clear food particles from and reduce acid in the mouth. This is especially important with sticky candies like those mentioned above, as they put up more of a fight against saliva. Avoid picking at that candy stash throughout the day. And be sure to drink plenty of water to further wash those candy remnants out of your mouth.

Establishing Good Habits

Candy is less tantalizing when it’s not right in front of your face, so keep it out of sight. This is especially important for kids, who won’t pine for it as much if they’re not always looking at it. And don’t be tempted to take too much of a hard-line stance on kids’ candy consumption. Forbidden candy is more tempting than permitted candy, after all, and overly strict rules may tempt kids to sneak candy, or gorge on it when they see an opportunity.

Candy Choices for Children

You can establish further boundaries on kids’ candy consumption by having them separate their haul into different categories, then bagging it up separately and rationing it out. You can also offer them the opportunity to use it as currency, “paying” for toys or additional privileges. Or come up with your own system for determining how much candy they get, and how often they get it – so long as there is a system. For more mature kids, you can work with them to decide how much candy is a reasonable amount to have in one day or one sitting, as well as when during the day they get to indulge.

Donate it!

Not to be overlooked is the fact that neither you nor your kids has to eat all that candy. If you don’t want it to hang around the house, tempting you with its very existence, get rid of it! You don’t even have to throw it away; there are organizations to which you can donate extra candy, such as Operation Gratitude, which sends it to first responders and members of the armed forces.

Candy Alternatives

A temporarily candy-heavy diet can be offset somewhat by hard fruits and vegetables, which can help clean candy remnants off the teeth. Another option for the candy-cautious: chewing gum. Chewing sugarless gum – keep an eye out for the ADA seal – for 20 minutes or so can satisfy your urges for sweets and snacking. And it stimulates saliva production, which helps clear food particles and harmful acid out of the mouth.

Maintain Your Oral Hygiene Routine

This point is as valid around Halloween as it is the rest of the year. Keep up on your twice-daily brushing and flossing, and don’t overlook your biannual dental cleanings. If you need to get your or your child’s next one on the schedule, reach out to Springfield Dental Group today!