Children’s Halloween dream is getting lots of candy, but this can lead to a parent’s nightmare. Dental experts feel Halloween can be a time to teach children good oral health habits for life, without depriving them of Halloween treats.

Let children have the joy of Halloween but make a plan for storing and consuming treats. Below are some tricks for your treats:

  • Pick a place to store child’s candy that is out of reach to prevent over consumption and/or late-night snacking.
  • Pick a specific time of day for a snack out of their candy bag to prevent all day sugar intake. The best time for sugary snacks is with a meal or shortly after.
  • Teach children to brush after enjoying Halloween treats and/or other snacks. This creates a “tooth smart” habit for years ahead.
  • Drink more water when consuming foods containing starch and sugar.
  • If you can’t brush after snacks, chew a sugar-free gum for 20 minutes. This increases the saliva flow that helps wash out food and neutralizes the acid produced by dental plaque bacteria that causes dental cavities.