THE TRUTH IS…NO! Halloween itself does not cause cavities, but rather our habits around the treats we consume do. The bacteria in your mouth are probably more excited to eat those treats then you are. Proper oral hygiene and self control around this time of year can go along way. Lets look at some tips to keep those sugar bugs at bay.

This might sound crazy, but it is recommended to consume all your treats in one sitting, instead of continuously nibbling on them all day over a long period of time. This limits the amount of time sugar comes into contact with your teeth. Your mouth contains both good and bad bacteria and the bad bacteria in your mouth thrive on sugar.

Although all candy is bad for your teeth, but there are a couple you should avoid.

HARD CANDY

This is probably the worst candy for your teeth. Hard candy can cause teeth to break, chip or even crack when biting down on it. This type of damage can lead  to  needing dental procedures such as: Fillings, Root Canals or Extractions, if the damage is really bad. Not to mention sucking on hard candies leads to  mixing your saliva with sugar and helps spread it all over your teeth.

GUMMY CANDY

Gummy candies tend to be very sticky, causing the candy to get stuck in all of the groves in your teeth and also in between them. The candy is very acidic and is also very hard to clean off of your teeth.

Here are some tips to help keep your teeth clean and those cavities away this Halloween.

1. Oral Hygiene plays a huge roll is whether you get cavities. Brushing twice a day for 2 minutes each time and flossing at least once a day. Brushing at bedtime is the most important. During the day our bodies produce saliva to help cleanse our teeth, but at night time our bodies produce less saliva making our mouths dry and increases your risk for cavities.
2. If you are consuming a sugary treat and are not able to brush, reach for a glass of water and rinse your mouth out well or eat some cheese, it will help balance out the PH level in your mouth.
3. Make sure your tooth paste contains fluoride or use a mouth wash that contains fluoride.
4. Remember sipping or nibbling constantly on a sugary treat creates a continual acidic bath that helps fuel that bad bacteria.
5. Visiting your dentist on a regular basis for a checkup and cleaning to help prevent any issues.

What’s not to love about Halloween? Scary movies, dressing up, decorations and all of the candy you want. As long as you have good oral hygiene and can control your consumption of candy this season, your teeth will thank you. Happy Halloween everyone!