It is nearly Halloween, and this holiday is irrevocably associated with candy, but it wasn’t always the case. Traditionally, Halloween was an ancient Celtic holiday where it was believed the veil between the living and those who had passed over became thinner, allowing ghosts to visit.
People who celebrated this holiday were trying to ward off evil spirits, dressing up in scary costumes to keep away the actual evil spirits. In addition, people also carried bribes with them, just in case they met an evil spirit and needed to “treat” them to make them go away. When Christianity came along, people celebrated All Souls Day on November 1, while October 31 was originally called All Hallows Eve and eventually Halloween. Although Halloween may have been around for a very long time, we didn’t begin celebrating it here in North America until the mid-19th century, and it didn’t take very long for candy manufacturers to catch on to the commercial possibilities of Halloween.
While everybody here at West Bowmanville Family Dental wants people to enjoy Halloween, we worry about the amounts of candy consumed at this time of year. However, we know it is possible to celebrate Halloween without causing too much damage to teeth in Newcastle with a bit of planning. Here are some tips on how to enjoy Halloween safely.
Don’t Snack on Candy
Candy might seem perfect for snacking, but it’s the worst possible thing you can do for your teeth. When you snack on candy, your teeth are exposed to sugars for longer, increasing the risk of cavities in Courtice. It’s far better to ensure kids (and adults) eat candy during meals or just after. At this point, your mouth is already producing more saliva than normal, helping to rinse away excess sugar and food particles. After eating, the mouth is also more acidic as acids are found in some foods and produced by bacteria that live in the mouth. These acids soften tooth enamel, but when you have plenty of saliva, it helps to reduce acidity levels more quickly.
Be Choosy About Your Candy
Just because candy is meant to be a treat, you don’t have to eat it all, so choose the sweets that most appeal. Preferably, avoid sticky sweets and hard candies because these last for longer and can stick to teeth. Also, hard candies can crack or break a tooth. Ideally, opt for chocolate or sugar-free gum. Chocolate melts quickly and is more easily washed away by saliva. Dark chocolate is an even better choice because it contains less sugar and some antioxidants. Sugar-free gum helps stimulate saliva flow, helping to wash away sugars and neutralize harmful acids.
Fill up on Healthy Foods before Eating Sweet Treats
Plan to have a healthy and filling meal before indulging in something sweet. When you fill up on healthy foods, it helps prevent overindulgence, making it easier to be satisfied with fewer candies. Don’t forget to ensure everyone drinks plenty of water which helps prevent cavities by washing away excess sugars. Try to avoid sugary drinks like sports drinks and flavoured waters, and even diet soda is bad for teeth because it is naturally acidic.
Consider Non-Candy Options for Trick-Or-Treaters
If you are participating in trick-or-treating this year, think about giving out other small treats like toys, stickers, glow sticks, pencils and bubbles instead of candy. Inedible treats can also be a much safer option where children might have food allergies.
Offer Your Kids a Buyback Program
If your kids end up with a loss of candy, consider a buyback program and set a limit on how many treats they keep.
After celebrating Halloween, don’t forget to make sure everyone brushes and flosses their teeth in Clarington to keep those pearly whites cavity-free.
