4 Tips for A Healthy & Happy Halloween Smile

With Halloween right around the corner, it’s hard to not be excited about this time of the year! But amidst all of your spooky fun and celebrating, something to keep in mind is your oral health—after all, you don’t want your smile to look scary when you’re not wearing your Halloween costume! Here are some tips from your dentist in Midland to help keep your smile white and bright this season.

1. Have Your Candy with a Meal

When you eat, your mouth’s production of saliva drastically increases, and your saliva is your body’s first line of defense against cavity-causing bacteria. Saliva benefits your pearly whites by washing away excess food particles and the harmful acids that are produced by things like Halloween candy. By eating candy during or after a meal, you’re strategically eating it when your mouth has more saliva present—meaning you gain added protection! Eating candy with or directly following a meal also limits the amount of time the sugar has in contact with your teeth.

2. Avoid Certain Types of Candy

Sadly, some of the sweets you love might actually be terrible for your teeth—meaning they should ultimately be avoided. Hard candies like lollipops or jawbreakers that stay in your mouth for extended periods of time are actually some of the worst candies for your teeth. Not only do they expose them to sugar for longer, but they’re also more likely to chip or fracture them if you aren’t careful! Sour candies are often quite acidic and harmful for your enamel, meaning that they should be avoided as well.

3. Consider Non-Candy Alternatives

If you’re handing out treats this year, you might consider giving out non candy options to keep the fun going long after Halloween ends. Small, inexpensive toys like festive pencils, erasers, pirate eye patches, glow sticks, and vampire fangs are all fun alternatives to candy. If you must give out candy, you might also consider small chocolates—these are much better for your teeth, as they wash off easier than most types of candy. And dark chocolate is even better for your teeth since it typically has less sugar!

4. Maintain Excellent Oral Hygiene

Keeping your mouth clean is good advice in general, but you should ensure that you’re extra vigilant around Halloween—daily oral hygiene is paramount in the fight against tooth decay and cavities. You should brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time using a soft-bristled toothbrush coupled with fluoride toothpaste. Flossing daily is also vital, as well as rinsing with an antibacterial mouth rinse.

Of course, visiting your dentist for routine preventive care will also safeguard your smile well beyond Halloween, so don’t hesitate to schedule one of your biannual visits soon. In addition to this, following these tips will keep your smile looking great and prevent any unexpected oral health issues from ruining your spooky fun.

About the Author

Dr. Laura Philipps received her DMD from Tufts University and has proudly served patients and families in the Midland, TX community for several years. Dr. Philipps is also an active member of several professional organizations including the American Dental Association and the Texas Dental Association. If you have any questions about the article or would like to schedule a visit, feel free to contact Dr. Philipps through her practice’s website or over the phone for assistance: (432) 570-4433.