Halloween is right around the corner, and it’s hard to not be excited about this time of the year! But it’s easy to get caught up in all of your fun and mistakenly neglect your oral health! This can lead to a scary-looking smile—regardless of what your Halloween costume is! Fortunately, there are many things you can do to keep your teeth looking their best this spooky season. Here are four tips from your dentist in Newark to help you out.
Tip #1: Eat Your Candy with a Meal
Saliva is your body’s first line of defense against cavity-causing bacteria; and when you eat, your mouth’s production of saliva drastically increases. Saliva benefits your pearly whites by washing away excess food particles and the harmful acids that are produced by things like Halloween candy. By eating Halloween candy during or after a meal, you’re strategically eating it when your mouth has more saliva than usual, which means you’re offered added protection! Not to mention, eating candy with or directly following a meal also limits the amount of time the sugar has contact with your teeth.
Tip #2: Consume a Healthy Diet
It’s wise to stick to a healthy diet year-round, but especially around Halloween! Aim to reduce your intake of sugary and starchy items and opt for healthier alternatives instead such as crisp fruits and vegetables, leafy greens, lean proteins, complex carbs, and low-fat dairy products. These items benefit your smile much more than excessive amounts of Halloween candy. Fueling up on healthy foods can also help you feel fuller more quickly before you have the chance to fill up on sweets.
Tip #3: Avoid Certain Types of Candy
As enjoyable as they might be, hard candies like lollipops or jawbreakers that stay in your mouth for extended periods of time are actually some of the worst candies for your teeth! Not only do they expose them to sugar for longer, but they’re also more likely to chip or fracture them if you aren’t careful. Sour candies are often quite acidic and harmful for your enamel, meaning that they should be avoided as well. Chocolates are actually much better for your teeth than these options, as they wash off of your teeth easier than most types of candy. And dark chocolate is even better for your teeth, since it typically has less sugar!
Tip #4: Keep Your Mouth Clean
This is good advice in general, but you should take strides to ensure optimal oral health—but especially more so during Halloween season! Daily oral hygiene is paramount in the fight against tooth decay and cavities. You should brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time using a soft-bristled toothbrush coupled with fluoride toothpaste. Flossing daily is also vital, as well as rinsing with an antibacterial mouth rinse. Additionally, routine preventive dental care will safeguard your smile well beyond Halloween, so don’t hesitate to schedule one of your biannual visits this time of year.
By following these tips, you can ensure that you’re putting your smile first this Halloween and preventing oral health issues from ruining your spooky fun.
About the Practice
White Clay Dental has proudly served patients and families in the Newark, DE area for several years under the leadership of Dr. Donald T. Bond and Dr. Timothy D. Ganfield. Their practice is pleased to offer many available services including preventive restorative and cosmetic dentistry. If you have any questions about the article or you would like to schedule a visit, feel free to reach out online or over the phone for assistance: (302) 731-4225.