Keeping Your Teeth Healthy During Halloween

We aren’t scared of spooky ghosts, creepy goblins, or zombies but the thought of kids and adults eating massive amounts of candy while neglecting their teeth keeps us up at night. Surprisingly, not all dentists want to prevent you from having fun and treats this spooky season but we do want to encourage you to stay safe and take care of your teeth while you are at it. So, keep in mind some of these tips while you’re sneaking into your kid’s candy bag, and try to get them on board with some of these healthy tips.

The Spooky Effects of Candy

We love candy just as much as the next person but we are also aware of the negative impacts excessive sugar has on tooth enamel. Your mouth has good bacteria and bad bacteria living inside of it, when you eat sugar it partners with the bad bacteria found in plaque and creates acid. As you can imagine, when the acid sits in the mouth and on the teeth for a long period of time it begins to eat away at the tooth enamel causing cavities. If cavities are left untreated then there may be some pretty serious oral issues that are scarier than the monster under the bed. All hope is not lost and you don’t have to miss out on the fun. With proper care and moderation, you can still protect your teeth from bad bacteria.

Tips for a Healthy Halloween

The most important thing you can do to keep your teeth healthy during Halloween is to stay consistent in your daily oral care routine. This should consist of brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing once a day, and using a therapeutic oral rinse. Make brushing fun by purchasing a Halloween-themed toothbrush set and performing the task with classic spooky music playing during the task.

Take advantage of Halloween buyback programs. Some programs offer dental care kits, certificates, or monetary gifts in exchange. Google or call your local dental practice to see if your community offers this option. When eating candy try distributing it in moderation with meals.  When candy is eaten after a meal there is an increase in saliva production. Saliva assists with diluting the sugar that is being consumed and restoring the pH level of the mouth. Also, without starting an all-out riot try encouraging kids to eat fun-size options instead of full-size bars.

Though there are going to be many sugary options available to you try to stay away from hard and sticky candies. The amount of time candy is left in the mouth impacts the amount of time sugar sits on the tooth. Less time eating means less amount of sugar able to interact with bacteria.

Make Your Oral Care A Priority

After the spooky season is over the holiday season will be upon us which means lots of traveling, spending time with family, and eating. Before your schedule gets too busy book an appointment for your entire family. It is recommended that you should see your dentist at least once a year and your kids twice a year, let’s squeeze you in before the New Year.