Each Halloween, children around the country ask that infamous, all-important rhetorical question “trick or treat?” (as if anyone wouldn’t choose the latter). But while that may equate to a bountiful stash of candy, if you’re not careful, it can also create quite a scary situation for your oral health. Between the sticky sweets, crunchy culprits, and acidic assailants, your teeth are at risk for cavities, enamel erosion, and in some cases, damaged dental work.
This fall don’t give in to your cravings. Help protect your teeth from sugary spooks with these tips for eating heathier during Halloween.
Modify Your Daily Diet
One of the best ways to keep candy cravings at bay is to balance your daily diet so there’s no room for them. Look for all-natural sources of sweetness, like fresh fruit, cashews and pecans, or even vegetables like beets and carrots.
Furthermore, adding protein to your diet is a surprisingly effective way to keep you feeling full, so you don’t have the desire to binge on sweets or rely on a sugar boost to help get you through the day.
Finally, make sure you’re getting enough calories to sustain your energy. When you deprive your body of food, you may feel tired, sluggish, and yes, hungry. When that happens, you are less likely to make smart choices with your meals.
Get Moving
Although you may not want to get up and move, even 15-minute bursts of exercise have been shown to help reduce sugar cravings in overweight individuals. Plus, exercise has the added benefit of making you feel good about moving so you’re less likely to want to ruin your progress by binging on sweets!
Spice Things Up
While your brain may be telling you it’s that fun sized piece of candy you want, the rest of your body knows better. Try tricking it by offering up some spice instead. A more flavorful meal may satisfy your cravings, so you don’t lose interest in eating healthy.
Safe Snacking
If you do indulge in your (or your child’s) Halloween plunder, try to avoid the following:
- Sticky or chewy candy like caramels, taffy, or gummies
- Acidic sour candies
- Crunchy or hard candy
The great news is that candy like chocolate and candy corn are pretty safe for your smile, because they don’t stick around in your teeth for too long and won’t erode your tooth enamel. Now that’s sweet!
Remember, Halloween can be a tough time to stick to a healthy lifestyle but eating a well-balanced diet prior to the influx of sweets can help you stay on track and avoid all that extra sugar. If you do indulge, try to limit yourself to one piece per day, and have it after dinner and before your bedtime brushing so you don’t have any remnants on your teeth for long.
About Dr. Lewis
Dr. Tonie C. Lewis developed an early love and appreciation for dentistry following a childhood accident that resulted in a broken jaw that required many surgeries and trips to the dentist. Today, she hopes to provide the same level of care that she received to patients in her own practice. Whether you need a general cleaning and exam, a new set of veneers, or you need help with a dental emergency, she’s here to help.
To schedule an appointment at Allen Smile Design, please visit our website or call us today at 972-954-9728.