Our kids LIVE for Halloween. The costumes, the candy, the parties, the trick-or-treating… when October comes, they are here for it.
As a kid, I loved Halloween too. And truth be told, I still do. I love seeing all of the creative costumes, the little ones toddling down the sidewalk in their little pumpkin suits, and the unique opportunity for neighborly hospitality trick-or-treating provides. But it wasn’t until this year that I learned about the history of trick-or-treating in the U.S., and how it became the Halloween tradition it is today.
How It Started
According to History.com, Halloween–a hybrid holiday that blended Celtic pagan rites with the Christian All Souls’ Day–originated in Ireland around 1000 AD. In a practice known as souling, poorer people would visit the homes of the wealthy and receive cakes for promising to pray for the homeowners’ deceased family members. Later, children participated in guising, where they would wear costumes and receive a treat in exchange for singing a song, telling a joke, or performing a trick. In the 1840s, Irish immigrants who came to the United States during the Irish Potato Famine brought these traditions with them.
Trick-or-treating as we know it today really took hold in the 1950s. With the end of sugar rationing after World War II, the creation of the suburbs, and the baby boom, it became an inseparable part of celebrating Halloween in America. So much so, that this year Americans are expected to spend $3.6 billion on Halloween candy, and is now the 2nd largest commercial holiday. Who knew?!
How It’s Going
So… where is all that candy going? To your house, Mama. Well, maybe not all of it. But between the treat bags coming home from school, the Halloween parties at each extracurricular activity, fall festivals, pumpkin patch events… it’s A LOT. And that’s on top of the candy they collect from trick-or-treating! It’s fun for the kids to have something to celebrate, especially during these difficult times. But it definitely helps to have a plan for all that candy.
Here are 3 tips from Dr. Bob:
- Avoid sticky candy. Those chewy candies and gummies are tricky treats that can cause trouble with your child(ren)’s teeth. Because it can get easily lodged and stuck between teeth, it can stay in the mouth for a long time. This can lead to tooth decay, or cause a tooth to chip or break. Yikes!
- Choose chocolate! On top of just being the best, plain chocolate is better for teeth because it clears out of the mouth quickly without leaving sticky, cavity-causing residues behind. So as you sort candy (or when you just buy the candy at the store!) choose plain chocolate. And treat yourself while you’re at it, too 😉
- Drink water. Water is wonderful. It’s the best way to get and stay hydrated… but did you know it’s also great for your teeth? In addition to providing fluoride, drinking plenty of water is a natural way to rinse sugar out of the mouth and off of the teeth between twice-daily brushing and flossing.
Trick-or-Treat!
Halloween can be fun for the whole family. So get out there and enjoy it! Wear the costumes, trick-or-treat, and then call Dr. Bob! Let that trick-or-treat candy be a reminder to get the kids back to the dentist for their routine exams and cleanings. Conveniently located in the heart of South Miami, Dr. Bob Pediatric Dentist is accepting new patients and would love to serve your family! He and his team are committed to providing the exceptional care your child deserves. From routine procedures like cleanings, sealants, and x-rays to fillings, extractions, and frenectomies, you’ll be in the best hands. Call the office at 305-397-8214 or click here to schedule an appointment online.
