Candy possession can get a little out of control at this time of year, especially if you have a sweet tooth or children in your household. There is just too much sugar to go around, so why not spread the love? Alana K. Macalik Cosmetic and Family Dentistry in Arlington is participating in the Operation Gratitude Halloween Candy Give-Back Program. It’s candy for a good cause – and you can help!
Feel Good About Giving Up All That Extra Halloween Candy
Dr. Macalik is accepting candy donations to send to deployed troops and local heroes. The 1st Annual Halloween Candy Give-Back will be held Monday, October 28 through Wednesday, November 6, 2019. Sweets can be delivered to Dr. Macalik’s office from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
This generosity will go directly to U.S. service members, veterans, and first responders. Trick or treaters from Arlington and neighboring communities can donate their unopened Halloween candy, and also contribute handwritten letters of thanks, all to be shipped to service members deployed overseas and hand-delivered to heroes in the local communities.
“The Operation Candy Give-Back program offers a great opportunity to teach children the value of giving back while also teaching them about the importance of thanking those who serve and protect our freedom,” says Dr. Alana Macalik. “It also helps remind them of the importance of maintaining good oral health and reducing excess sugar consumption to prevent cavities.”
Support the Troops and Protect Your Teeth
Along with feeling great about giving to others, the Halloween Candy Give-Back is an opportunity for kids to learn more about their oral health. Here are some dos and don’ts for October 31 and every day:
- Do skip the suckers: Lollipops, especially those filled with gum, are a long sugar bath for teeth that could lead to cavities.
- Don’t skimp on chocolate: If you need to have your fill of candy, make it soft chocolate, like peanut butter cups or solid chocolate bars. Chocolate doesn’t cling to the teeth like other kinds of candy and washes away easily.
- Do avoid the chewy stuff: Licorice, taffy, gummy anything – it’s all a major problem for your teeth, especially the littlest teeth with sealants that could be pulled off. (Though if you have a kid with a loose tooth that just won’t come out, this kind of candy may just be the ticket to an October 31 visit from the Tooth Fairy!)
- Do eat all the candy at once: You know that your kids are going to be wired from their candy no matter what time of day they eat it. Might as well get the onslaught over with at one time – it’s also better for teeth to be exposed to the sugar from candy all at once, so that can be followed by a thorough brushing and flossing. Even better, eat a sweet with a meal so the saliva that’s already activated can help whisk away some of the sugars.
Ready to do a good deed and spread some smiles while protecting your own? Donate to the Halloween Candy Give-Back at Dr. Macalik’s dental office. Contact us for more information.