One of the best things about the fall season for many families is the Halloween holiday and the harvest festivals and other events that surround it. There are many opportunities to have fun with your whole family during this time, such as corn mazes, pumpkin carving, hay rides, hay bale pyramids, eating candy and caramel apples, dressing in costumes, going to parties, apple bobbing, and trick or treating in your neighborhood on Halloween night. However, all of these fun activities may have you worried about keeping your family healthy during the season.

Luckily, it isn’t that hard to stay healthy this season with just a little bit of planning and effort. If you’re worried about the safety of the candy that you may get, you can relax a little bit. Any of the truly scary stories have all turned out to be hoaxes and your kids can enjoy the treat that you get from your neighbors without worries. However, if you are worried about their dental health, you may be onto something. You should talk to park slope dentists or other local dental pros for specific advice for your family, but generally, dentists agree that too much candy can damage young teeth.

To avoid dental damage, make sure that your kids don’t eat candy too often and always clean their teeth afterward. You don’t have to carry a toothbrush around, but it’s a good idea to brush sooner rather than later. You can also avoid later health problems by only eating a small amount of candy each day instead of gorging on it all at once. This will teach your child or children how to eat a moderate amount of sweets instead of binging on them.

Finally, enjoy the holiday season and take advantage of all of the chances that you will have to get exercise. Spend time outside and enjoy the fresh cool air while it lasts. Go on hikes and dance at parties. Enjoy the holiday and the time you spend.