A Guide for a Happy, Healthy Halloween

The weather is getting colder, the leaves are changing colour, and Thanksgiving dinner leftovers are in the refrigerator. This means it is time to start thinking about Halloween! This spooky holiday is full of fun, but we must always remember our healthy habits. With health in mind, here are some pointers to help keep you safe and your smile bright this Halloween.

Safety First!
Safety is very important to our health so here are 10 useful tips for a safe trick-or-treating adventure! ¹

1. Make sure costumes aren’t too long so kids do not trip over them.
2. Apply reflective tape to costumes so others can easily see the trick-or-treaters.
3. Try to avoid using masks which can limit vision – Makeup works well.
4. Plan your route ahead of time – Map out a safe route and stick to it.
5. Wear comfortable shoes and make sure the laces are doubled-tied.
6. Go in a group with trusted adult - There is safety in numbers so make sure everyone sticks together.
7. Bring a flashlight to help light the way- Make sure you have full battery power.
8. Obey the law – Stick to sidewalks, look both ways before crossing the street, and follow the rules of the road.
9. Only visit well-lit houses which are trick-or-treat friendly. Stay outside! Do not enter any house.
10. Check the treats! Ensure all candy wrappers are untouched and not tampered with.

For more safety tips, watch the Halloween Safety Video! ²




Keeping a Healthy Smile
Sugar on teeth can cause tooth decay and cavities so with all that candy, it is important to remember to brush and floss your teeth! Here are some tips and techniques to keeping a healthy smile.³

• Brush at least twice a day, in the morning and at night. After you eat candy, rinsing out your mouth will help remove some of the sugar.
• Brush your teeth for 2-4 minutes each time.
• Wait 30 minutes before brushing your teeth after you eat acidic foods or drinks to prevent the breakdown of enamel.
• Use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.
• Brushing your tongue will help keep your breath fresh.
• Flossing is a very important part of oral care. Food often is left in between teeth which brushing alone will not remove. Floss! Floss! Floss!

Since Halloween is the candy holiday, avoiding high sugar snacks is almost impossible. To help save your smile, try going for sugar-free hard candy or gum; dark chocolate is another good option. Try to stay away from chewy and sticky treats like taffy or gummies which get stuck in the crevices of teeth, and sour candies which have high acid levels .⁴Your teeth will thank you for it later!

Click Here for some fun and healthy Halloween snacks!


One last thing... Have fun!

Have a safe, happy, and healthy Halloween everyone!


1. Campigotto, J. (n.d.). 13 Halloween Safety Tips. Kaboose. Retrieved from http://holidays.kaboose.com/halloween/halloween-safety.html

2. Safety Skills. (2011). Halloween Safety Video. Retrieved from http://safetyskills.com/halloween-safety

3. Smile Canada. (2011). Tooth Brushing. Retrieved from http://www.smilecanada.ca/kids-corner/tooth-brushing/

4. Flanagan, C. (2011). The best (and worst) candy for your teeth. Academy of General Dentistry. Retrieved from http://www.agd.org/about/newsmedia/pressreleases/Default.asp?PubID=45&IssID=1415&ArtID=10007#body