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1. Choose Candy Wisely
   • Opt for Chocolate: Chocolate is easier to wash off teeth than sticky or hard candies. Dark chocolate, with less sugar, is an even better choice.
   • Avoid Sticky Sweets: Sticky candies, like taffy and gummy bears, cling to teeth and are harder to remove, increasing the chance of decay.
   • Steer Clear of Sour Candy: Sour candies can be acidic and harmful to enamel, so limit these when possible.
2. Set Candy Time to Meal Time
   • Eating candy with meals or shortly after helps produce more saliva, which neutralizes acids from bacteria and washes away food particles.
3. Rinse After Sweets
   • Encourage kids (and adults!) to rinse their mouths with water after having candy. This helps wash away sugar and acids.
4. Encourage Brushing and Flossing
   • Kids should brush their teeth twice daily for two minutes each time, ideally with a fluoride toothpaste. Also, make sure they floss daily to remove candy particles that get stuck between teeth.
5. Drink Water Regularly
   • Drinking water, especially fluoridated water, helps rinse out sugar and acids. It's especially good if brushing isn’t an option immediately after eating sweets.
6. Visit the Dentist
   • Halloween is a great reminder to schedule a dental check-up. A cleaning and exam can catch any early signs of cavities.
7. Limit Frequency of Sugar
   • Instead of grazing on candy throughout the day, limit candy consumption to specific times to reduce prolonged exposure to sugar.

These tips can help maintain healthy teeth while still enjoying Halloween treats!

Some Strategies to Reduce Halloween Candy Related Damage to Teeth:

1. Limit Candy Quantity
   • Set a limit on how much candy is kept and donate or dispose of the rest. This reduces the temptation to eat sweets over a long period and minimizes exposure to sugar.
2. Designate a “Candy Time”
   • Instead of snacking on candy throughout the day, pick a specific time (like after meals) when candy is allowed. Eating candy all at once, rather than frequently, reduces the duration teeth are exposed to sugar.
3. Rinse with Water Immediately
   • After eating candy, rinse with water to help wash away sugars and neutralize acids. Swishing water around in the mouth can help prevent sugary residues from sticking to teeth.
4. Follow Up with Teeth Brushing
   • Brushing about 30 minutes after eating candy is ideal (waiting allows acids from candy to be neutralized first). Encourage brushing with fluoride toothpaste, which helps to protect enamel.
5. Choose Candy Carefully
   • Avoid Sticky or Hard Candies: These types of candy stick to teeth or stay in the mouth longer, increasing exposure to sugar.
   • Prefer Chocolate: Chocolate doesn’t stick as much and is easier to wash away, especially dark chocolate, which contains less sugar.
6. Keep a Fluoride Mouthwash Handy
   • Using fluoride mouthwash can strengthen enamel and help repair early signs of decay. Have kids rinse with it once daily, especially around Halloween time.
7. Encourage Water with Fluoride
   • Drinking water with fluoride can strengthen enamel and help protect teeth from sugar-related damage. It’s also a great go-to drink after candy.
8. Visit the Dentist for a Check-Up
   • Schedule post-Halloween check-ups to catch any signs of decay early and reinforce good oral care habits.

By following these tips, Halloween can be fun while keeping teeth protected from candy-related damage!

What Candy Sticks to Your Teeth the Most?

The candies that stick to teeth the most are usually those that are chewy, gummy, or hard to break down, allowing sugar to linger longer in the mouth and increasing the risk of tooth decay. Here are some of the stickiest types:

1. Gummy Candies (e.g., gummy bears, worms): Their sticky texture adheres to the crevices of teeth, making them hard to remove.
2. Caramel and Toffee: Caramel candies, especially the soft or chewy ones, stick easily and can get trapped in teeth.
3. Taffy and Chewy Candies (e.g., Laffy Taffy, Airheads): These stretchable candies cling to teeth and can be hard to brush or rinse away.
4. Fruit Snacks and Fruit Leathers: While often marketed as healthier, fruit snacks have sticky sugars similar to gummy candies.
5. Sour Candies: Many sour candies are also sticky, and their acidity can weaken enamel, making teeth more vulnerable to the sugar’s effects.
6. Hard Candies (e.g., lollipops, jawbreakers): Although not traditionally "sticky," hard candies dissolve slowly, allowing sugar to coat teeth for a long time.

Opting for less sticky options, like chocolate, and brushing or rinsing after sticky candies can help protect your teeth.

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Dentist Kanata