Halloween is almost here! This beloved holiday comes with delicious treats, fun costumes, and spooky lore. However, one thing that you don’t want to be scary this Halloween is your smile. Having buckets of candy all around doesn’t have the best impact on your teeth. Fortunately, you don’t need to give up all of your favorite treats to enjoy the spooky season. Here are some tips to help you keep your smile healthy as you experience all the festivities that Halloween has to offer!
Be Selective with Your Sweets
Some candies are worse for your teeth than others. It’s best to limit the number of hard and sticky sweets that you consume. This is because they stay in your mouth for longer. The stickier the candy, the longer it takes for saliva to wash it away, increasing your risk of tooth decay. Sour candies can also be troublesome because they are highly acidic. Acid weakens the teeth, damaging the enamel.
Have Your Candy with a Meal
Your salivary production increases when you eat meals. Saliva helps to rinse away food particles, cancelling out some of the acids products by the bacteria in your mouth. If you have a treat that you want to enjoy, try to have it as dessert directly after a meal instead of a stand-alone snack.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking plenty of water is essential for pretty much your entire body to function. Water helps to prevent cavities by washing away the sugar that clings to your teeth. Staying hydrated also helps to prevent dry mouth. When your mouth is too dry, it becomes the perfect breeding ground for bacteria to thrive.
Avoid Overindulging
Having a candy bar or two every now and again likely won’t negatively impact your oral health. However, if you are frequently binging on a variety of treats, your smile will show it. It’s best to practice intuitive eating. You don’t need to eat all of your candy at once. Instead, just have a piece. Save the rest for later.
Keep Up a Good Oral Hygiene Routine
As busy as this time of year can be, it is especially important that you maintain an excellent dental hygiene routine. Remember to brush twice, floss, and rinse with mouthwash every day. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste for the best results. If it has bene more than six months since your last cleaning and checkups, now is a great time to give your dentist a call to schedule your next visit.
Halloween is a lot of fun, but it is essential that you take care of yourself – including your smile. By using the tips listed above, you can reduce your risk of dental issues that would warrant an emergency visit to the dental office.
About the Practice
At White Clay Dental Associates, Dr. Donald T. Bond and Dr. Timothy D. Ganfield work together to treat patients in the Newark, DE community. With their combined experience and expertise, patients can get pretty much anything they need under one roof. For more information, or to schedule your next cleaning and checkup, visit their website or call (302) 731-4225.