Halloween is a favorite time of year for many families in Yorkville and surrounding communities, filled with costumes, decorations, and candy galore. But while trick-or-treating is a fun tradition, it can also be a tough time for your teeth. At Manus Dental Yorkville, we want to make sure your smile stays healthy through all the sweets and celebrations.

Not all Halloween candy affects your teeth the same way. Hard candies like lollipops or jawbreakers can chip teeth or stay in the mouth longer, giving sugar more time to do damage. Sticky candies, like taffy or caramel, are also problematic because they cling to teeth and are harder to brush away. Chocolate tends to be a better option—it melts quickly and washes off more easily with saliva and brushing.

After eating candy, rinse your mouth with water or chew sugar-free gum to help remove sugar and stimulate saliva production. This is especially helpful if you are away from home and can’t brush right away. When you do brush, be sure to do so gently but thoroughly, and floss each night to clean between teeth where toothbrushes can’t reach.

If your child collects a big haul of candy, consider limiting sweets to a specific time each day instead of grazing. This reduces the number of times teeth are exposed to sugar throughout the day and gives the mouth a chance to recover.

And as we move toward the end of the year, remember that most dental insurance plans reset in January. If you haven’t used your benefits yet for cleanings, exams, or other treatments, now is a great time to book an appointment.

Manus Dental Yorkville is here to support your family’s oral health through every season. Contact us today and make the most of your dental benefits before the year wraps up.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please contact:

Manus Dental Yorkville

54 W Countryside Pkwy

Yorkville, IL 60560

Ph: 630-326-5471

manusdental.com/yorkville