Halloween is right around the corner and there’s bound to be at least one handful of candy eaten.

Dr. Sonya Stoltze Newstrom, dentist at Stoltze & Stoltze Family Dentistry, shared some advice on how to protect your teeth this Halloween.

“Some of the worst candies for your teeth are taffies, hard candies and things that are really sour,” Dr. Stoltze Newstrom said. “These candies are very acidic and plaque will convert the sugars into acids, and the acid is what damages the teeth.”

Jeff Chaffin, vice president and dental director for Delta Dental of Iowa, said chocolate is one of the best options because it dissolves quickly and can be easily eaten, ultimately; decreasing the time the sugar is in contact with the teeth.

After students move to college, it can be hard for them to find time in their busy schedules to set up regular visits to the dentist.

“When I was in high school it was normal for my parents to set up dentist appointments for me,” said Ryan Kelly, senior in mechanical engineering. “Now that I’m in college, setting up a dentist appointment isn’t at the top of my priority list.”

There is also the factor of comfort that students have troubles dealing with when visiting their dentist or possibly a new dentist they found in their college town.

Many people feel most comfortable with the dentist they grew up with. This explains why most students wait to visit the dentist while they’re back home.

“I go twice a year and it really hasn’t changed since coming to college,” said Alex Aviles, senior in horticulture. “I just go during breaks.”

Dr. Stoltze Newstrom said she believes the unknown intimidates a lot of patients. Many have thoughts like ‘Are they going to scold me?’ ‘Are they going to be nice to me?’

“That’s why it’s important to have a dentist you’re comfortable with,” said Stoltze Newstrom. “If you have a dentist you’re comfortable with you’re more likely to go to your appointments.”

If you do plan on eating an abundant amount of candy this year, make sure to rinse your mouth out with water if you’re unable to brush your teeth and also make sure to brush and floss before bed, so the sugar can’t remain on your teeth said Dr. Stoltze Newstrom.

Although, it isn’t easy to turn down your favorite treat, in the end you could be doing your teeth a huge favor.