Friday the 13th last week, full moon this week and Halloween comes next week. Superstitions, the illuminating Hunter’s Moon, cute and frightening costumes, jack-o-lanterns and trick-or-treating for lots of candy fill these beautiful, New England, autumn evenings.

Besides the usual precautions of safety around Halloween, caution should be heeded eating the bags and buckets of candy traditionally collected. Dental health, although historically separated from our basic health by insurance coverage, is so integral to one’s health. Dental insurance is available but does not cover near enough. Many, too many, forego dental care because they simply can’t afford it.

Like anything else in life, good choices and moderation with candy is essential. Too much candy is going to lead to dental decay. The bacteria in your mouth metabolizes sugar and creates an acidic environment. The acid erodes the enamel, making them more susceptible to decay. This also leads to increased sensitivity.