Want to avoid Halloween tooth decay? The dentist says to eat cheese before candy

It's that time of year again – a day filled with scary costumes, trick or treating and more candy than you can count. But Halloween isn't just about spooky fun - it's also your teeth's biggest nightmare. 

The treats you choose, and how you eat them, could make all the difference between a healthy smile and a post-Halloween trip to the dentist. 

As you prepare to enjoy your favourite candies and sweets, it's worth knowing which ones can be hardest on your teeth and the steps you can take to protect them. 

Here are some of the treats dentists recommend avoiding, and how to help keep your smile healthy while enjoying the season. 

Candies to stay away from 

While candies are a must-have for many trick-or-treaters, dentists say chewy candies are one of the worst choices for your teeth. In fact, Windsor-based Doctor Jacylyn Scurk lists candies such as caramels, gummy bears, and licorice as the biggest cavity culprits in a CBC article. 

“These are going to stick into the little crevices of your teeth and cause decay a lot easier,” she said. “Even a little bit worse are the sour candies because they have more of that acid that can erode the enamel.”

The Canadian Dental Association added to that list, warning that any hard candies, lollipops, or chips can also cause lasting damage, either by coating teeth in sugar for extended periods or by breaking down enamel. 

Plain chocolate and powdered sweets such as Rockets and Pixie Sticks are some of the safer options they listed. Since they dissolve quickly in your mouth, they reduce the amount of time your teeth are exposed to sugar. 

Scurk says the best way to enjoy any treat is to have it with a meal rather than having it later. Eating sweets alongside other foods helps produce more saliva, which can help wash away some of the sugar and acid. 

And while some foods can be rough on your smile, others can help protect it – and one surprising one is cheese. 

Cheese before candy 

One way to protect your teeth while enjoying sweets is to indulge in a bit of cheese beforehand. 

Windsor dentist Dr. David Hoang explained in a CBC article that eating cheese before candy is a simple way to help protect teeth from cavities. 

“Eating cheese provides a vitamin-rich substrate along the teeth that can help the teeth be protected from decay while they eat candy,” he said.

The Ontario Dental Association listed down nuts and sugar-free gum as two other healthy options that don’t leave sugar behind in the mouth. 

The best way to protect your teeth is to maintain a consistent brushing and flossing routine, and to drink water after consuming sweets, as it helps to keep your mouth clean and washes away any lingering sugar. 

Also recommended is brushing and flossing 30 minutes after you have eaten, since the enamel becomes softer after a meal. 

Keep your teeth safe this Halloween 

The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) helps cover some medical services for dental care. For most adults, OHIP covers dental surgery if it's performed in a hospital, leaving routine checkups, cleanings, fillings and other standard treatments as out-of-pocket expenses.

That’s why it's essential to make sure you have a backup plan.

CAA Protect's Health and Dental Insurance can help cover any optional dental coverage for out-of-pocket dental expenses. Their plans offer coverage for regular dental exams, cleanings, fillings, and more, alongside other medical benefits. To learn more, book an appointment online to speak with a licensed insurance advisor. 

Have a health and dental insurance question? To speak to a professional who can guide you to the right coverage from the right insurer at the right price call us at: 1-800-709-5809 or email us at info@caaprotect.ca