Interesting Alternatives to Consuming Candy This Halloween
When October rolls around each year, many children, and adults too, rejoice over the abundance of candy available. Did you know that Americans purchase over 2 billion dollars worth of candy each Halloween season? While we know that our patients young and old love a sweet treat now and again, an abundance of candy and sugary foods during this holiday can lead to decay, discomfort and added dental costs. We have created a list of interesting alternatives in lieu of consuming Halloween candy once the magical day comes to an end and the bag or pillow case is emptied:
Candy Fairy or Candy Trade-In
Similar to the idea of the Tooth Fairy, your child would place all of their candy together for the Candy Fairy to collect during the night. In its place a non-food item such as money, a gift card, a small toy or a desired item can be left to enjoy. An older child may be interested in the same concept, but the term trade-in can be used in place of the fairy.
Candy Bank
This unique idea allows the children to enjoy their Halloween treats in moderation. Similar to a traditional bank, the child would need to ask permission to make a withdrawal from their candy pile. The adult is able to dictate how many pieces of candy are allowed at a time. This helps to minimize the sugar consumption in one sitting.
Donate to Troops or a Charitable Organization
There are a number of charitable organizations that collect candy after Halloween so it can be sent to the troops or given to the homeless or needy. This method not only removes the unwanted candy from your home, but it is also a chance to give a sweet treat to someone who will appreciate it. Each method mentioned above can be used in conjunction with this idea.
Don’t Forget to Schedule a Visit to Our Office
If you have not visited the dentist in the past six months, we recommend scheduling an appointment for after Halloween. We will be able to inspect the damage caused by the added sweet treats over the past few weeks.
If you are interested in a healthier Halloween, we would love for you to give one of these ideas a try. As always, if you are in need of dental care or to schedule a routine hygiene examination, be sure to call our office located in Burton, MI. We hope you have a fun and safe Halloween!