When Dr. Messina was a kid, Halloween was one of her favorite days of the year. She's still a fan -- welcoming witches, princesses, dinosaurs, and every variety of trick-or-treaters to her home. And of course she still LOVES chocolate!
But as as a dentist, Dr. Messina knows well the havoc this holiday can cause for teeth. No, she's not handing out floss or travel toothbrushes on Halloween, but she does have advice for kids, parents, and anyone else who likes a good treat.
The spookiest candy for your teeth
Halloween is full of options that could scare the enamel right off your teeth, from caramel to candy jawbreakers to sugary drinks. But if she had to pick one treat for you to steer away from, Dr. Messina says she is particularly spooked by ever-popular sour chewy candies. This year instead of reaching for the pack of Sour Patch Kids, remember that something sticky, acidic, and sugary like this is going to sit on the teeth longer and cause most damage.
So what does Dr. Messina give trick or treaters?
Halloween night at Dr. Messina's door finds her handing out dark chocolate. It's less sugary than many other candies trick or treaters will find, and it doesn't stay on the teeth too long either. Last year, she made this recipe and served jack-o'-lantern stuffed peppers for parents, and pizza skulls too! Have a festive snack you like to make at home on Halloween? Please share it with us at your next visit! We love to see the healthy choices you're making all year :)
We write a blog post every month to keep our patients and our community updated on important dental topics, so be sure to check back here often! And don't forget: we love your questions! We welcome discussion of these blog topics or anything you're curious about. Our patient family is the best part of our practice, and we are grateful for you!