Dental shock: Save your child's teeth from the ‘horrors’ of Halloween

The volume of ghoulish sweets your child will crunch through on Halloween is enough to frighten any parent or dentist.

Dr Paul O’Dwyer, group clinical advisor at Dental Care Ireland, says it’s possible to save your family’s teeth and oral health from the ‘horrors’ of the festival.

“Many of the food and drinks that we indulge in over Halloween are particularly acidic and can lead to erosion of teeth,” he says.

With some advance planning, however, it is possible to avoid adding tooth decay or bad breath to your nightmare list, and still maintain a healthy mouth between treats

Here, are his seven dental health tricks for Halloween

1. Restrict treats to mealtimes

Instead of grazing on Halloween treats throughout the day, enjoy a few sweet snacks as dessert after a meal. Saliva production increases during meals, which helps rinse away sugary food particles and can reduce the risk of cavities.

Before trick or treating, it is a good idea to ensure that children eat a healthy meal first. Another way to limit potential damage is to allow your child to pick out a few favourites from the trick or treat bag, and enjoy them after dinner in the days following Halloween. You could consider donating the rest.

2. Beware of hidden sugars

The length of time sugary food stays in your mouth can affect tooth decay. Avoid treats that tend to linger in the mouth, such as hard candy canes or sticky sweets, as they will do the most damage to teeth.

Dental shock: Save your child's teeth from the ‘horrors’ of Halloween

3. Drink plenty of water

It is important to drink plenty of water to rinse away the sugar after eating Halloween treats. The water will help to dilute any acid attacks caused by sugary snacks. Wherever possible, try to replace treats such as sweets and chocolate, with Halloween-themed fruit alternatives. Avoid fruit drinks and smoothies as they tend to be high in sugar and therefore impact on dental decay.

4. Remember your routine

As teeth may be exposed to more sugar and acid during Halloween, maintaining a basic dental care routine at home is key for all the family. Ideally, brush twice per day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste, floss daily, and drink plenty of water.

After eating sugary treats, a good tip is to wait 30 minutes before brushing. Some acidic foods soften your enamel, so if you brush right after eating them, you can risk hurting your enamel further while it is still sensitive.

5. Be fearful of fangs

It is important to be cautious of Halloween costumes that may impact dental health, such as fake teeth or prosthetics. Read the labels carefully to avoid any potential choking hazards for children. For younger children, who are losing baby teeth, it is best to avoid wearing any false teeth or fangs, in case tooth loss may be accelerated.

6. Try a mouth-cleansing snack

Eating crunchy fruits and vegetables such as carrots, apples and celery will stimulate production of saliva, which in turn helps to wash away sugary foods. Alternatively, a small piece of cheese eaten after a treat will help return the mouth to its natural acid balance and reduce the chances of developing tooth decay.

Dental shock: Save your child's teeth from the ‘horrors’ of Halloween

7. Schedule an annual exam

Dr Paul O’Dwyer, group clinical advisor at Dental Care Ireland, says it’s possible to save your family’s teeth and oral health from the ‘horrors’ of the festival.