3 Teeth-Friendly Alternatives to Candy at Trick-or-Treat Time

The Halloween season is great for morale, but not so good for your teeth. Halloween candy and other treats are often full of sugar, which can negatively impact your oral health. To deter bacteria growth and tooth decay, it’s best to cut out as much sugar as possible. Here are a few alternatives to trick your little monsters into enjoying healthier treats. 

At Lancaster Dental Care Associates in Lancaster, California, Dr. Kamran Saidara and his team provide a full range of dental care services, including pediatric dentistry. Here’s how to keep your kid’s teeth (and other kids’ teeth) healthier at Halloween.

The dangers of excessive sugar 

Candy has a way of sticking in your teeth and getting lodged between them. These pockets of sugary debris are hotspots for bacteria, becoming a breeding ground for cavities. 

While a little bit of sugar doesn’t hurt, the days following trick-or-treating are often spent snacking on candy without considering the consequences. Replacing just a few treats with healthier alternatives not only reduces the amount of sugar your child is eating but also the amount that’s left behind in their mouth. 

This prevents tooth decay and binge-eating, fostering a healthier relationship with candy and other sweets. 

3 friendlier treats to consider 

Trying to replace your child’s candy with healthier alternatives doesn’t have to feel like tricking them or stealing what they’ve gotten from others. Instead, you can talk to your child and explain that you’re keeping their candy safe so it lasts longer. They can still enjoy their spoils, just not all at once. 

This allows you to control their sugar intake and make sure they brush their teeth after eating it. In the meantime, you can offer teeth-friendly alternatives. 

Fruit 

Fruit is one of the best things to give children, encouraging a love for natural sugars and real flavors. This is not limited to fresh fruit, either. Apples, gummies, fruit leather, and dried fruit are all excellent treats in their own right and don’t contain nearly as much sugar as processed candy. 

If you’re feeling creative, try decorating oranges as jack-o-lanterns and bananas as ghosts! Neighborhood kids will love these healthy, fun treats.

Salty snacks

Bags of pretzels, trail mix, and popcorn are all excellent ways to tempt your trick-or-treater away from the sweets. Try to offer these at the same time as their candy, and encourage them to eat the saltier snacks between treats. 

This keeps them from feeling disappointed with what’s left when they’ve run out of candy, and they might enjoy the combination of salty and sweet! 

Little toys 

Who says the treat has to be something you can eat? There are plenty of ways to put a smile on a trick-or-treater’s face. A child is more likely to choose a toy over a candy bar that will be gone in seconds, and it will keep them busy much longer. 

You can offer all sorts of things to entice kids away from sugar, including glow sticks, bubbles, bouncy balls, stamps, and temporary tattoos.  

After the holiday

If you feel overwhelmed by the amount of candy around Halloween, you’re not alone. Many parents (and dentists) feel intimidated by the risk of tooth decay. 

While you should encourage your child to make healthier choices when choosing treats, there’s no need to deprive them entirely. With proper brushing, flossing, and routine cleanings, there’s nothing to worry about. 

During your child’s next examination, Dr. Saidara and the team at Lancaster Dental Associates can check for cavities and remove any buildup that might lead to tooth decay. 

To schedule a visit, call 661-215-8130 or request an appointment online.