Nothing's More Scary Than Tooth Decay this Halloween...

Here's How You Can Protect Yourself and Your Family

BOO! Halloween is creeping up on us again… and we can't wait for all of the spooky and fun festivities!

But first, let's address the elephant in the room: Halloween candy. As we anticipate a mass of sweet treats to be brought into the household, we must be cautious of the potentially negative effects that sugar may have on our little one's (and our own) teeth.

So, how can we do our best to prevent cavities this Halloween? Well, give these tips a try:

1. Brush and floss after sugar exposure
   Thoroughly cleaning the teeth after eating sweets (whenever possible) will help to keep tooth decay at bay. Encourage your child to brush and floss after indulging in candy.
2. Make a plan
   Moderation is key! You can tell your child that he or she can only trick-or-treat for a set amount of time, or send them off with a smaller treat bag. This way, you won't be bringing home an unhealthy amount of candy. Your family's oral health AND overall health will appreciate it!
3. Drink lots of water
   Drinking more fluoridated water will help to prevent cavities by strengthening the teeth, and by helping to wash away particles of food.
4. Chew sugar-free gum
   Sugarless gum, particularly gum sweetened with xylitol, has many great benefits for the teeth. Xylitol helps to prevent decay by neutralizing the level of acid present in the mouth, while increasing salivary flow. Supply your little one with a pack of sugarless gum to chew after they snack when brushing/flossing isn't possible.
5. Eat sweets along with meals, not in-between
   Eating candies and sugary sweets regularly or in-between meals only increases the instances of sugar/acid exposure to the teeth… and that's a lot to put our mouths through! Encourage your child to save their sweet treats for mealtime instead.

So, will you be encouraging these habits for the whole family this Halloween? We hope so! It's also smart to practice and encourage these habits all-year round to fight decay and ensure clean and healthy smiles. Our Etobicoke dental team is rooting for you, and will always be here to help.

Have a Happy Halloween!

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