Editor's note: This popular story from the Daily Briefing's archives was republished on Oct. 31, 2024.

Writing for the New York Times, Alice Callahan offers five dentist-recommended tips on how to enjoy candy this Halloween — without ruining your teeth.

1. Avoid eating candy throughout the day

According to Apoena Ribeiro, a pediatric dentist and microbiologist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, one night of eating candy won't ruin your oral health, but you should avoid eating candy throughout the day.

Eating candy multiple times a day provides cavity-causing bacteria more opportunities to feed on sugar and cause tooth decay over time. "Free access to the candy is the main problem," Ribeiro said.

Instead, it's better to only eat candy once or twice a week, though Ribeiro noted that once a day is also okay. If bacteria can only consume sugar once a day or a few times a week, "they will starve," she said.

2. Eat your candy with meals

According to Ribeiro, the best time to eat candy is with or just after a meal. This way, bacteria in your mouth will feed up on carbohydrates from your meal instead of the sugar in the candy. You also produce more saliva when you eat, which can help rinse sugar from candy from your teeth while also neutralizing acids from bacteria that can wear away your tooth enamel.

Ribeiro added that having candy with dinner makes the most sense for most families since members will likely be at home and can brush their teeth after they're done.

3. Brush your teeth right after you eat candy if possible

Ideally, you should brush your teeth right after you have candy, Ribeiro said. If that is not possible, she recommends brushing your teeth at least twice per day with toothpaste containing fluoride and flossing before you go to bed.

The American Dental Association recommends two minutes of careful brushing to effectively clean your teeth. Children should also follow the same recommendations for brushing their teeth, with parents helping or supervising as needed.

4. Be careful with certain candies

Sticky, gooey, or chewy candies can lodge into the grooves and crevices of your teeth and do serious damage. For example, Ribeiro said a caramel can create a "banquet" for bacteria in your mouth. Sour candies can also cause damage to your teeth by making your mouth more acidic.

When Ribeiro does eat chewy or gooey candies, she makes sure to have them with meals and brushes and flosses her teeth right after to get rid of any remnants.

5. If you have children, make Halloween a teachable moment

If you have children, it is helpful to use Halloween as an opportunity to teach them about how sugar from candy or other foods can contribute to tooth decay, Ribeiro said. You should also teach them how they can protect their teeth while still enjoying candy and other treats.

According to Ribeiro, children will carry this knowledge with them beyond Halloween, and it will help them build good dental habits that could improve the health of their teeth in the long run. "This is a concept for life," she said. (Callahan, New York Times, 10/27)