Keep your teeth happy this Halloween

It’s that time of year again! Fall is here. That means making holiday preparations, cooler weather and, always a favorite for the young and the young-at-heart, Halloween. Everybody loves Halloween candy, but it is important to remember that oral health care is year-round. You can’t take a break from taking care of your teeth.

“Candy is difficult to avoid at Halloween time,” says Dr. Dan Burch, clinical associate professor with Texas A&M University School of Dentistry’s Department of Pediatric Dentistry. “Kids love to eat it, and parents love to sneak some from their kids’ bag of treats.”

Burch reminds adults and children not to overdo it. “Everything in moderation!” he says. His tips include eating only a little candy at a time and looking for sugar-free candy when you can.

He also recommends avoiding hard, sticky candies or treats that stay in your mouth a long time. “The length of time candy stays in your mouth plays just as much a role in tooth decay as how much you snack,” Burch explains.

“Above all, remember to brush your teeth and floss regularly!” he says.