With Halloween just around the corner, you’d probably guess that dentists around the nation are cringing and shaking their heads. And, you’re probably right. Is there a way for children to enjoy candy over Halloween while protecting their teeth?

Teach your kids which candies are the best

• Limit or eliminate hard candies: Any sugary treat that needs to stay in your mouth for an extended period can be doing more damage to your teeth.
• Limit or eliminate extremely sticky candies: Super sticky candy can become attached to teeth, and even brushing may not clean them off well enough.

Pick the best time to indulge

• Eat sweets along with or right after a meal:  Since saliva is your body’s first and best line of defense against the tooth decay that sugary treats can cause, eating sweets when this defense is at its peak can help the most.
• Drink plenty of water before, during, and after: Drinking plenty of water maintains optimal saliva production, it boosts the immune system, which can continue to fight bacteria that make it past the saliva, and it serves to continually rinse out the mouth of any sugary particles your toothbrush missed.
• Include sugar-free gum in the candy bag: . Chewing sugar-free gum promotes saliva production and tends to dislodge food particles that have been stuck between teeth.