Halloween Dental Tips – Your Teeth Will Thank You!

Halloween is a few days away and for most kids, it means bags and more bags of free candy that can surely last through Chicago’s long winter. As a Parent, once you have had a few Halloweens under your belt, you start to understand the variety of health and safety challenges that this holiday presents. You also realize that even though it is fun to have a mountain of candy at home, it’s probably not the best idea to eat it all.

Here at Artful Smiles Dental Studio, we want to help you and your kids maintain your healthy smiles for life. So, here are a few ideas to keep your teeth healthy. Give them a try and your teeth will thank you.

It’s fine to have candy on Halloween, but moderation is important. Avoid snacking on candy or sweet treats. It is best if you eat them right after a meal as a dessert. Sort through your favorites first! Avoid hard candy that stays in your mouth for a long time. Unless they are sugar-free candies, sweets that stay in the mouth for a while are more likely to increase the risk for tooth decay. Also, avoid sticky candies that cling to your teeth. Candies like caramel, taffy and gummy bears stick to the teeth for a longer period of time and therefore increase the risk of developing cavities.

4 Fun and Creative Ways to Share Your Halloween Candy

1. Halloween candy can be included in care packages that are sent to soldiers serving our country overseas. You can also include a handwritten letter of support with your donated sweets that will surely put a smile on a soldier’s face. Look for organizations such as Operation Shoebox and Operation Gratitude to help you donate to our troops.
2. Local charities will also accept candy donations. You and your child will feel great knowing that you sweetened somebody’s day. Some of the charities that accept candy donations include Ronald McDonald House, food pantries, women’s shelters and nursing homes.
3. Turn your candy into one of a kind artwork. With some glue and paper, use candy to express your creative side. There are other candy inspired arts and crafts projects that are fun to do with kids. A quick internet search yields many possibilities.
4. If you still have some leftovers, there is something that will make it disappear fast. Take it to work – that never fails.

Artful Smiles Team wishes you a fun, safe and healthy Halloween!