Halloween is a festival celebrated by kids and adults alike. It is celebrated in October. People wear costumes, visit houses, and attend parties. Did you know that nearly 40 percent of parents admit to sneaking some of their children's Halloween candy for themselves? Well, it's fun, but also make sure to follow these steps to maintain your oral health:

Keep Candy Away From Your Teeth

Chocolate and other types of candy can be harmful to your teeth. The sugar in candy can stick to your teeth, feeding the bacteria that eat away at your enamel and cause cavities. Plus, the sugar will increase the production of plaque in your mouth, which is a layer of bacteria that forms on your gums and causes gum disease. Avoid eating candy altogether to avoid tooth decay and other dental problems. If you do get tempted to snack on a candy bar, brush your teeth soon after to wash away the sugar and reduce the damage it can do.

If you can't resist the urge to chew on some hard candy or taffy, make sure you don't eat it for too long. The longer you keep the sugars in your mouth, the more harm they can cause to your teeth and gums. As soon as you're done chewing on the piece of candy, be sure to rinse your mouth with water to remove the leftover sugar and any sticky residue that's left behind. This will also help to decrease the amount of bacteria that remains in your mouth.

Try Alternative Treats

You may not realize it, but sugar has the ability to destroy your teeth in a very short amount of time. Instead of indulging in sugary candy this year, try making healthier choices! There are plenty of great snacks that you can have at your Halloween party or the night of trick-or-treating that won't ruin your smile. Try some of these options instead:

• Organic peanut butter and celery sticks
• String cheese
• Apple slices with peanut butter spread on them
• Popcorn (air-popped if possible)
• Pretzel sticks
• Veggies and hummus
• Frozen yogurt-coated berries
• Carrots and ranch dressing
• Nuts and dried fruits
• Air-popped popcorn (if you don't already plan on making this treat a part of your Halloween meal)

These treats are all much healthier than milk chocolate candy bars and other candies full of refined sugars. If you want to snack on a sweet treat, be sure to brush and floss shortly afterward to minimize the chances of tooth decay in the future. Avoiding candy is the best way to get a smile you can show off this Halloween season.

Avoid Sticky Candies

While you may be tempted to stick with your favorite candy, sticky candies like caramels and toffees can actually damage your teeth and gums. When you bite into one of these treats, the gooey texture gets stuck on your teeth and in between teeth making it difficult to remove with brushing alone. Over time, this can damage your gums and cause cavities to form. Instead of eating these sugary treats, consider getting sugar-free gum or dark chocolate instead!

Be Gentle With Your Teeth

After treating yourself to a few pieces of Halloween candy, be sure to clean your mouth thoroughly with water or mouthwash. This will help remove any leftover particles that can get trapped in your teeth. 

Alta View Dental Care, located in Sandy, UT, has expert dentists and modern technologies that enable the best dental care services for patients. Call us at (801) 572-4261 and schedule an appointment with the dentist to know more about cosmetic treatments and other dental facilities provided at the dental practice.