While Halloween can be fun for the whole family, it can also be one of the scariest times of the year when it comes to oral health. Too much candy can easily put you and your loved ones at risk for tooth decay and other oral health issues. If you don’t want to have to make any unplanned trips to the dentist, you should take steps to make sure everyone’s smiles stay safe during and after Halloween. Here are 4 tips that can help your family stay cavity-free once trick-or-treating is done.
1. Limit Exposure to Certain Kinds of Candy
Oral bacteria can feed on the sugar you consume and produce acid as a byproduct, which is what ultimately leads to cavities. The longer sugar stays in your mouth, the more time bacteria have to feed on it. As such, candies that stay in the mouth for a long time (such as hard candies that dissolve slowly or sticky candies that adhere to the teeth) tend to be particularly harmful to oral health. It’s therefore best to keep exposure to these kinds of sweets to a minimum.
2. Don’t Eat Candy Too Frequently
Constantly eating candy throughout the day can wreak havoc on oral health. Thus, it’s recommended that you put a limit on how often everyone in your family consumes sweets. The best time for a sugary snack is during or right after a meal. The mouth tends to produce more saliva than usual during mealtimes, which can help wash away sugar and cancel out bacteria-produced acids.
3. Drink Plenty of Water
Drinking water at regular intervals can be an important step for protecting the teeth from cavities. It can rinse away any food particles that might be lingering in your mouth, including bits of sugar from Halloween candy. On top of that, many communities add fluoride to tap water, which can help make your tooth enamel more resistant to decay.
4. Practice Good Oral Hygiene
Oral hygiene is always important, but it becomes particularly crucial around candy-filled holidays like Halloween. Make sure that everyone in your family is brushing at least twice every day with toothpaste that contains fluoride. Encourage flossing as well; it can be all too easy for bits of candy to get stuck in the spaces between teeth that a toothbrush can’t easily reach.
The right habits can go a long way toward helping you and your loved ones avoid cavities after Halloween. And if any dental issues do occur despite your best efforts, you can always schedule an appointment with your family dentist to see what solutions they have to offer.
About the Practice
At Washington Dental Associates, our dental experts always put our patients first. We’re proud to be able to offer high-quality dental care to children and adults alike. We provide thorough checkups and gentle cleanings to help our patients keep their smiles safe and cavity-free. If you would like to schedule a pre- or post-Halloween appointment at our Bergenfield office for yourself or anyone in your family, visit our website or call (201) 453-4863.