Halloween is the epitome of the holiday feasting season. It is one of the most exciting nights full of fun activities, from dressing up in scary costumes to crafting ghosts and amassing piles of candy. For anyone trying to care for their oral health, the most alarming part of Halloween is not the scary scenes but the abundance of candy and sugary treats.
While it’s hard to resist candy, excessive consumption of foods high in sugar, such as candy, can lead to tooth decay. When you consume candy, toxic mouth bacteria feed on the sugar to form a sticky film known as plaque, which sticks to the gums and teeth. This increases your risk of cavities and tooth decay.
Fortunately, there are ways to avoid Halloween candy temptations and protect your teeth. Here are five tricks to help you keep your hands out of the Halloween treats at the home or office.
- Replace Candy with Some Health Options
For scary movie lovers, go for the healthier, gluten free popcorn instead of munching on popcorn caked in butter. If you love chocolate, you can try healthy protein bars and substitute candied apples with dried cinnamon apple chips.
You can also try to smash crispy marshmallow treats instead of rice crispy treats. A seafood diet and veggies are also great health options over candy.
- Buy Candy you don’t love
Another way to resist Halloween candy is to stock your pantry with candies kids love but you wouldn’t like. Buying your least favorite goodies is the easiest way to cut your cravings and remove the temptation of diving into those bags.
- Chew Sugarless Gum
Some studies have found that chewing gum can help satisfy a craving for sweets as well as reduce stress. Chewing gives your mouth a flare of sweet sensation without filling your teeth with harmful bacteria. The most important benefit of chewing gum is that it helps you overcome the craving to eat candy and makes your stomach feel full.
- Store Candy Out of Reach
Move your candy jar out of reach to reduce the temptation to binge one piece after another. Put your candies away in a place where you will have to go down or up a staircase or use a stool to access them. The harder it is for you to reach the candy, the less your consumption will be.
- Take a Walk
Another effective trick to keep your hands out of the candy jar is to take a brisk walk outside. If you enjoy running, that is an even better activity. Getting away from your home is effective because it helps you distance yourself from the candy you’re craving. Similarly, this exercise stimulates endorphins in your brain, which can help you feel good and turn the craving off.
Visit an Experienced Dentist for a Check Up
If you can’t control your Halloween candy cravings, try to stay as far away from the candy jar as possible. But if you think you’ve binged too much and are afraid that it might be affecting your teeth, take that first step in scheduling an appointment with a dentist for a checkup.
Email: info@lifedentalgroupllc.com
Phone: 662-281-8455