There’s only one thing on everybody’s mind when October rolls around. And it is certainly not dental health. Halloween! The only time people rush to buy candy to replenish kids’ sugary stocks is when they’ll be saving up until Christmas. In fact, over 95% of Americans purchase Halloween candy. While this may not come as a surprise, the unexpected costs of dental care for a single holiday might. For all that Americans spend on dental care, over $500 is spent on candy-related dental damage. Cavities and other sugar-related dental problems can take months to form, often disguising the harmfulness of Halloween candy teeth. Is there any way to redeem this cultural transition and save our dental health?  

Serious about Sugar 

It’s difficult to miss out on fun traditions, especially if it’s for health reasons. Thankfully, being dentally healthy doesn’t mean sitting out at family gatherings or skipping sweets. It simply requires being serious about health. Regulating sugar consumption, discovering healthy alternatives, and practicing proper care can keep your smile bright and healthy through sugary holidays.  

Consuming in Moderation  

The best way to avoid Halloween candy teeth is to prevent sugar from clinging to teeth in the first place. Surely no one would deny the happiness of experiencing flavorful sugary goodness melting in your mouth. However, some may not realize that each piece of candy is a loaded meal for oral bacteria. These organisms constitute the microbiome, containing over 700 species of good and bad bacteria, facilitating digestion and infection prevention. In a healthy individual, the good bacteria keep the harmful bacteria at bay. When a profusion of sugar is introduced to this microbiome, harmful bacteria grow out of control. This splurge of bacterial growth breaks down the enamel, the protective shield on our teeth. This often occurs in Halloween candy teeth. Consistent sugar deposits in the crevices of teeth strengthen the tooth-harming bacteria population. Moderating sugary food consumption is the first step to preventing candy-induced dental complications.  

Trick of the Treats  

Another way to enjoy holidays without the damaging effects of sugar is to switch to healthier alternatives. It can be challenging to find healthy alternatives, especially ones that taste acceptable. While these substitutes may not be located on the seasonal aisle of the local grocery store, many healthy options are still accessible. Lily’s Chocolate and HU Kitchen are two of the many healthy alternatives available. Found at Walmart and some smaller grocery stores, Lily’s offers chocolate that is both sugar and gluten-free. You can find a variety of chocolates as well as gummies, jellybeans, and a surplus of other sugar-free options.  

Sugar for Your Teeth 

Many of the healthier sugar-free candies are sweetened with Stevia, Erythritol, or Xylitol. Xylitol is an alternative sugar that eliminates bacterial growth and helps decrease plaque buildup. Chewing gum made with Xylitol is also particularly helpful in removing bacteria and food from your teeth. Larger companies such as Reese’s and Snickers are working to create their own line of healthier sweets. This is just the beginning of the plethora of healthy options out there. 

Hard Candy, Hard on Teeth  

While sampling sugar-free options is a commendable long-term goal, avoiding particularly damaging sweets is the first step toward dental health. Hard candies such as suckers, lollipops, or Jolly Ranchers serve as an extended meal for bacteria. They last longer, giving the bacteria more time to consume sugar and do damage. Sour candies can be particularly hazardous due to their acidity, which breaks down tooth structure. Taking baby steps to prevent dental damage is important in building sustainability when creating new healthy habits.  

Brush, Brush, Brush!  

Moderating sugar consumption and substituting with healthier alternatives can help you avoid Halloween candy teeth. However, even when eating healthy, foodstuffs can still get lodged between your teeth. Drinking water rinses out debris that is often difficult to reach with a toothbrush. Studies also show that eating yogurt can reverse the mineral and nutrient deficit caused by sugar. The final and most important precaution is to brush, floss, and practice normal dental hygiene. Using toothpaste made with fluoride can improve the strength of the enamel. Maintaining basic dental hygiene may sound simplistic, but many struggle with brushing before bed when exhausted or busy. Unfortunately, even skipping one tooth brushing can give bacteria a huge boost. Habitual teeth brushing is essential to prevent Halloween candy teeth.  

Not Just a Teeth Problem 

Dental hygiene is important for more than just maintaining dental health. Studies have shown that poor dental health can negatively impact other health systems. In fact, one study showed that practicing regular oral hygiene reduced cases of pneumonia in elderly patients. If we understood the impact brushing has on life expectancy, perhaps we’d be more diligent in practicing dental hygiene. Research also shows that contributors to certain cardio issues and cancers can be traced back to dental health. Recognizing the link between dental and overall health can help us understand the dangers of Halloween candy teeth.  

Counting the Cost  

The impact of family and holiday traditions on our dental health is not cheap. Whether it’s $20 spent on candy at the store, $500 fixing candy-related teeth problems, or risking the spread of infection due to poorly kept teeth, good dental health doesn’t come naturally. Avoiding brushing leads to plaque buildup. Plaque buildup turns into tartar. Tartar can only be removed during a dental visit. Skipping out on dental visits can result in tartar buildup ,leading to gingivitis, a gum infection. Although skipping dental hygiene here and there may seem trivial, festering bacteria and plaque buildup have lasting consequences. Pursuing healthier options may be initially pricier, but ultimately could prevent large dental bills and avoidable tooth pain. Choosing fruit, Lily’s chocolate, or simply avoiding hard candies could be the change needed to minimize the damage caused by Halloween candy teeth!  

If you need help choosing Halloween candy that fits your dental health, schedule an appointment with Arlington Family Dental today – our great team will get you personalized dental care that fits your needs.