Spooky season has arrived.

There’s no denying when the Halloween season arrives. Pumpkin spice is everywhere, sweaters come out of the closet whether it’s cold enough or not, the neighbor’s yard turns into a skeleton zoo, and the grocery store shelves are stocked to the brim with every candy imaginable. While shopping for the week, it can be hard to resist the temptation of that seasonal chocolate, or the brand new, themed gummies.

Sugar doesn’t mix very well with our teeth, but sometimes we still crave sugary goodness! Moderation is the best option when keeping your teeth safe from candy, but how do you enjoy the tastiness while using Invisalign?

Do: Choose the Right Types of Candy

The best place to start is to pick the right kind of candy. Soft candies that melt in your mouth are the easiest to snack on, as they don’t run as much of a risk to the aligners. Think chocolate! The hard, sticky, or even chewy candy, like taffy or Jolly Ranchers, gets gummed up in the teeth, creating all sorts of issues with aligners.

Don’t: Eat Candy With Invisalign Aligners 

Whenever it’s time to eat that tasty treat, be sure to take your aligners out first. Eating or drinking with aligners in can drastically increase the chances of damage. This could be something as simple as staining or as drastic as cracks or full breakage. So be sure to take those extra moments to keep your aligners safe!

Do: Brush and Floss After Eating

Whether you wear aligners or not, it is important to care for your teeth after indulging in sweets. Brush away any hidden candy bits or sugar to keep cavities from forming, and be sure to floss. Rinse your aligners to make sure there’s nothing hiding in there, and then return them to your mouth. If you skip this and place the aligners on your teeth, it presses that sugar straight against the enamel. This gives the sugar an even better chance to create cavities. So take that extra time—you won’t regret it.

Don’t: Overindulge

We all crave a good sugary treat sometimes. Maybe it was a hard day, or perhaps you’re celebrating. No matter the reason, you still want to keep your teeth as healthy as possible while still making your taste buds sing. The key is moderation. Try to keep the candy from sitting on your teeth for long periods of time by cleaning your teeth as soon as possible, and try not to eat everything in one sitting. Trust us, your teeth and your stomach will thank you for that one!

Excessive sugar is one of the most common causes of tooth decay. When sugar is introduced into the mouth, it interacts with the natural bacteria in there and creates an acid. This acid goes straight to work on the teeth, dissolving the enamel until it can erode the tooth itself and create cavities.

So go ahead and let yourself enjoy a sugary treat, but be sure to thoroughly brush and floss your teeth when you’re done. 

Do: Use Sugar-Free Alternatives

When it’s time to satisfy your sweet cravings, there are other options than sugar-filled candies. Sugar-free candies are becoming more prevalent, and they actually taste good! When shopping for your next candy fix, don’t be afraid to try some of them out. You might just find your next favorite treat. 

If you enjoy munching on some gum as you unwind after a long day, be sure to grab a sugar-free version. They taste just as good, and you won’t have to worry about the sugar adhering to your teeth for a long period of time. Again, be sure to take your aligners out before chewing on gum. Stickiness and aligners don’t go together very well. 

When it comes to Halloween, sugar isn’t required to have fun and make memories. There is a whole world of fun to be had without your little ones (or even you) bouncing off the walls on a sugar high. Don’t worry, we have a list of ideas just for you and your family! 

Sweet and Spooky Time

With fall in the air, it’s time to get ready to enjoy this sweet and spooky holiday! Whether you plan to create alternate family activities or prefer to stick to the classic trick-or-treat, you will certainly create family memories that will last a lifetime. You don’t have to avoid your sugary treats entirely, just remember to enjoy them in moderation and thoroughly brush and floss your teeth whenever you are finished.

No matter what your plans are for Halloween, be sure to schedule your next dental cleaning. This way, we can make sure there’s nothing spooky going on beneath the surface and keep your teeth clean and healthy.