We’re only a couple days away from Halloween and the Ontario Dental Association has some tips to keep your teeth safe from those mini-sized treats.

Whether it’s the kids or grandkids chomping down on that Halloween candy or the adults sneaking a mini-sized treat, the ODA says try to eat candy after a meal to limit the chances of over doing it.

They also say swish with water to wash away sugar and acid, eat cheese before treats to provide a protective, vitamin-rich coating on your teeth, choose nuts as a healthier, tooth-friendly alternative or chew sugar-free gum. Other tips include flossing afterwards and waiting 30 minutes before brushing to prevent damage to enamel.

They’re also passing along what they call the ‘frightening’ truth about some favourite treats.
– Chips: While they may be savoury, chips of all varieties and flavours can do harm by sticking to teeth and breaking down into sugar, which can cause cavities.
– Chocolates: Good news for chocolate lovers! Plain chocolate dissolves quickly in the mouth which lessens the chance of causing cavities. But it’s still sugary, so try to eat it in moderation.
– Hard candy: Slowly sucking on hard candies soaks your teeth in cavity-causing sugar. Biting down on hard candy and jaw breakers can also crack or chip your teeth.
– Chewy candies and dried fruit: Whether it’s caramels, gummy bears, licorice or raisins, these sugar-packed sweets can stick in the crevices of your teeth and cause tooth decay. Sour candies are even more dangerous because the acid that makes them tart can also erode enamel.

 

(Photo by station staff) 

Filed under: halloween-treats, north-bay-area