We all know that eating sugar can play havoc on your blood sugars. But, did you ever think that eating lollipops, Sweet & Sour Candy, Skittles, Starburst, Candy Corn, and Jolly Ranchers over other Halloween candy may be worse for your teeth? I thought all sugar is equally bad for my teeth. Not true.

 

Halloween Tip

Pick a candy that does not stick to your teeth. By doing so, you minimize the acid that feeds on the natural bacteria in your mouth. The mineralized enamel coating on the outer layer of your teeth is the barrier that keeps your teeth strong. Healthy enamel protects your teeth from cavities, gum decay, and being too sensitive from eating or drinking cold or hot foods.

 

Once you lose your tooth enamel, you cannot restore it. However, your dentist can harden your tooth enamel by putting calcium and phosphates back into the tooth. A process they call- remineralization. A diet rich in Vitamin D, salmon, tuna eggs, with dairies can also rebuild enamel.

 

Treats like dark or milk chocolate is a better option than the Halloween candy that stays on your teeth. If you drink water after you eat chocolate, it helps wash away the invisible food particles that lodge in your porous teeth. 

 

Gingivitis

 Healthy enamel also plays a vital role in keeping your gums healthy.

 

You know your gums are inflamed when they bleed or feel tender. Carbohydrate foods that stick to your teeth break down the protective enamel making your gums sensitive.

 

Gingivitis, an inflammation of your gums, weakens your tooth enamel. If untreated, over time, it can advance to periodontal disease, wearing down your gums, causing tooth loss. 

 

Seeing your dentist regularly is less painful and expensive in the long run than having significant dental work done, like replacing a tooth. Limit sugar intake. Drink water to flush out the invisible food particles. Not only can this give  you better blood sugar readings, it can provide you with healthy teeth that can last a lifetime.

 If you are a person who is not tempted to consume sugar from a barrage of Holiday candy, I admire your discipline.

 

CDC Recommendations for Halloween

Wear a mask

• Make your cloth mask part of your costume.
• A costume mask is not a substitute for a cloth mask.
• Do NOT wear a costume mask over a cloth mask. It can make breathing more difficult.
• Masks should NOT be worn by children under the age of 2 or anyone who has trouble breathing
• Stay at least 6 feet away from others who do not live with you
• Indoors and outdoors, you are more likely to get or spread COVID-19 when you are in close contact with others for a long time.

Wash your hands

• Bring hand sanitizer with you and use it after touching objects or other people.
• Use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Parents: supervise young children using hand sanitizer.
• Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds when you get home and before you eat any treats

 

Visit an Orchard, Forest, or Corn Maze

Attend a Scavenger Hunt 

• • Go on an outdoor Halloween-themed scavenger hunt.
  • Visit a pumpkin patch or orchard. Remember to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer frequently, especially after touching frequently touched surfaces, pumpkins, or apples.
  • Go to a one-way, walk-through haunted forest or corn maze.

Steps to Take for Other Halloween Activities

Enjoy Halloween activities and take steps to protect yourself from getting or spreading COVID-19 

Remember to Always

• • • Wear a cloth mask
    • Indoors and outdoors, stay at least 6 feet away from others who do not live with you
    • Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer frequently

Decorate and Carve Pumpkins

• • • Decorate your home for Halloween.
    • Carve pumpkins with members of your household or outside with neighbors or friends.
    • Walk from house to house, admiring Halloween decorations at a distance.

Other Ideas

• • Hide Halloween treats in and around your house. Hold a Halloween treat hunt with household members.
  • Hold an outdoor costume parade or contest so everyone can show off their costumes.
  • Host an outdoor Halloween movie night with friends or neighbors or an indoor movie night with your household member

 

 

 

Source:

CDC

National Institute for Health 

Cleveland Clinic

Authority Dental

Delta Dental