What do you think of when it comes to Halloween? For most people, it's the two C's - costumes and candy. Here at the Upper Hunt Club Dental Centre in Ottawa, we want to encourage you to think outside of the sugary box this October. Sugar wreaks havoc on your teeth, it causes cavities and has other health implications as well. We always see an uptick in cavities at the Upper Hunt Club Dental Centre in Ottawa towards the end of the year and much of this has to do with candy and sweets overload while Trick-or-Treating. You can still enjoy festive treats without all the sugar and junk. Read on for seven Halloween snack ideas. Not only are they fun and creative, but they're also healthy and easy on your teeth! With a little ingenuity, almost anything can be given a Halloween theme. Here's our top list:

Apple Sun Butter Teeth
How cute are these?! Carve a mouth out of half of a vertically cut apple and stuff it with a tablespoon of sunflower seed butter. Use sunflower seeds as teeth and a strawberry slice for a tongue. This is a fantastic recipe to make with the kids, allowing them to scoop the sunflower butter and place the teeth and tongues. 

Cheese and Pretzel Broomsticks
Two simple ingredients are all you need to make this fun party favor. Grab a stick of string cheese and cut it into thirds. Use your fingers to spread and string the cheese so it looks like the ends of the broom. Stick the pretzel into the end of the cheese and voila! A word of caution, however - be gentle when inserting the pretzel, it can cause either the cheese to unravel or the pretzel stick to break. 

Witches' Fingers Cookies
You can tweak the dough instructions to your specifications, based on flour type and Stevia preference. Add green food colouring to your dough base, roll your dough into 1-inch balls, and place on parchment paper. Roll each ball into a finger shape and use toothpicks to mark the knuckles. Top with a sunflower seed for the witches' fingernail. 

Frankenstein Kiwis
This treat does require a bit of prowess with the vegetable peeler. Slice the end of the kiwi off so it sits flat and upright. Whip out the peeler to shave the skin, leaving the top third intact. Consider making the edges jagged for a Frankenstein look. Pretzels make the mouth and bolts on his neck, and two dried blueberries (or chocolate chips) comprise the eyes. For a veggie-oriented take on this, use a stalk of celery as Frankenstein's body.

Bloody Brains
A brain mold is required for this one, but wouldn't it be the hit of the party? Vanilla and cream are combined with gelatin to make the exterior of the brain. The fresh strawberry jam goes inside. It's the perfect way to indulge your sweet tooth without drowning it in sugar. 

Banana Ghost Pops
Peel bananas and freeze them for a few hours. Cut each banana into thirds. Stick a popsicle stick into the banana, dip it in non-fat sugar-free yogurt, coat it in shredded coconut, and garnish with raisin (or chocolate chip) for the eyes. If you aren't going to eat them right away, freeze them so they don't get mushy. 

Pumpkin Spice Protein Drink
Last but not least, we have a delicious alternative to the pumpkin spice latte. This version is healthy and flavourful, without all of the extra sugar - and with some added protein. 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk, 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder, 1/2 cup canned pumpkin, and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract, plus some delicious spices, are combined in a blender and mixed until smooth. If you need more of a caffeine fix, try adding a dash of pumpkin spice almond milk to your coffee, or even sprinkle pumpkin spice seasoning on top of black coffee. Both are delectable. 

Halloween treats can be delicious without all the damage of conventional sugary treats. By thinking outside of the box, you can satisfy your sweet tooth while keeping your oral health intact. With these great snack ideas, there's something for all occasions and the entire family. For more tips on keeping your oral health in good condition, visit us at the Upper Hunt Club Dental Centre in Ottawa. Contact us today to schedule an appointment. Have a happy and healthy Halloween!