How To Prepare For The Onslaught Of Halloween Candy Coming Your Way

Halloween is here. Soon enough, you'll have an army of costume-clad children at your door begging for candy you've probably already eaten.

After all, Halloween has become a staple in American households and retail stores in more ways than one.

Even wine bars in Missouri have offered to pair your favorite candies with a delectable selection of wines this holiday season. Ever tried to pair wine with candy corn? It's not easy. But guests are able to sample around six pairings of wine and candy to celebrate the holiday.

Candy, dressing up, partying the night away; it's no surprise that Halloween has persisted throughout the decades. In fact, humans have been adorning their appearance for over a millennium. The first nail polish even dates back to 3,000 BC where early cosmetics were used in China.

But candy is the highlight of the season and it can wreak havoc on your health in more ways than one.

If you've already begun to eat your second bag of candy before Halloween, dentists are telling adults and children alike to slow down.

It's common for children to feast on their Halloween victories as soon as they get home. The National Retail Federation estimates that Americans will spend upwards of $2.6 billion on Halloween candy alone. But many try to indulge in their favorites all in one sitting — and some are worse than others.

"It's important to let your hair down and let kids be kids. We [need to] make sure that they brush their teeth for a longer period than normal to remove any remaining sticky candies left behind." said Dr. Ramin Tabib in an interview with AOL.

Dentists have even released a list of the nine worst candies for your dental health. These include particularly sticky, or tacky candies that linger in your mouth for long periods of time. Here are some of the worst transgressors this Halloween season.

  • Butterfinger
  • Sour Patch Kids
  • Tootsie Roll
  • Jolly Rancher
  • Lollipops
  • Swedish Fish
  • Laffy Taffy
  • Caramel
  • Gummy worms

Of course, all these candies should be eaten with moderation. Following the feast, you should encourage your children — and yourself — to brush your teeth with special care before retiring for the night.

Too much sugar can have detrimental effects on your oral health if you don't take care of your teeth. In fact, nearly half of the entire U.S. population — a whopping 48% — is unhappy with the appearance of their teeth.

Others face even worse issues due to poor dental hygiene. Even if you have a diet that limits sugars, poor brushing habits, incorrect brushing technique, smoking, and failure to visit the dentist can result in cavities or periodontal disease. In fact, an estimated 47.2% of adults over 30 have a form of periodontal disease.

It's especially important to take care of your health during the sweet, sweet holidays. While letting your hair down and indulging is okay on occasion, remember to brush your teeth after eating too much candy.

Your mouth will thank you.

Written by LouAnn Moss for The Healthy Moms Magazine and legally licensed through the Matcha publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@getmatcha.com.

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