Top tips from a dentist at Halloween

As dentists, we want to make sure everyone’s teeth stay clean and healthy - but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a few treats along the way! Sweets can be tough on teeth, so we’ve put together our top tips to keep smiles happy and healthy this Halloween. 

1. Watch out for sticky sweets!

We all know the chewy ones are hard to resist - but they’re also the ones that tend to linger. Sweets like jellies, toffees, and caramels can cling to your teeth long after you’ve finished eating them, feeding the bacteria that cause decay. If you can, try to stick to options that don’t hang around for too long, like chocolate, which melts away more easily and doesn’t stick to your teeth the same way.

If you (or your little ones) do go for the chewy stuff, make sure to give your mouth a quick rinse with water afterwards - or better yet, brush your teeth once the sugar rush has settled.

2. Brush & floss - even after the trick-or-treat stash!

Halloween brings out our inner sweet tooth, so keeping up your brushing and flossing routine is more important than ever. Brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes using a fluoride toothpaste - it helps strengthen your enamel and keeps cavities at bay.

Flossing is the step most people skip, but it’s a game changer. It helps remove bits of food and sugar that your toothbrush can’t reach. Floss picks for kids can be a brilliant addition too to remove plaque and debris from around your gums and in between teeth. The goal? No leftover sugar hiding where it shouldn’t be!

3. Drink lots of water in between!

Between all the trick-or-treating and snacking, water is your best friend. It helps wash away sugar, neutralises acids in your mouth, and keeps you hydrated (especially when you’ve been sneaking “just one more” chocolate from the stash!).

Encourage the whole family to drink plenty of water between treats - it’s one of the easiest ways to keep your mouth fresh and help prevent tooth decay.

 4. Enjoy your sweets - just in moderation.

Halloween wouldn’t be the same without a few treats, and we’d never suggest skipping them completely! Instead, try to enjoy your sweets in small amounts. Maybe one or two pieces after dinner rather than snacking on them throughout the day. This limits how long sugar stays on your teeth and gives your enamel time to recover.

It’s also a great opportunity to teach little ones about balance, they can still enjoy their favourites while looking after their smiles at the same time.

 5. Sharing is caring (and smiling!).

If your family has collected a huge stash of sweets, why not share them out? Not only does it spread the Halloween cheer, but it also means fewer temptations sitting around the house for days on end.

It’s a simple way to enjoy the fun of Halloween without overdoing the sugar - and your teeth will thank you for it!