Keep Teeth Healthy This Halloween Season
October is here, and we are sure that you are enjoying all of the fall fun that this season has to offer. October also brings the arrival of many adults’ and children’s favorite holiday — Halloween. While many love the scary movies and costumes, there always seems to be an endless supply of candy and treats at this time. We wanted to share some tips to help keep you from experiencing any frightening tooth issues this season.
Why Should We Limit Sugar?
Although delicious, sugar is one of the main ingredients that likes to wreak havoc on our teeth. After eating sweet treats, any sugar that is left behind on the surface or between the cracks of the teeth begins to turn into acid, which eats away at the enamel, the outer covering of the teeth, causing decay and cavities. This is one of the main reasons we recommend brushing shortly after eating sugar, and especially after eating chewy or sticky candy.
Tips to Keeping Teeth Healthy
It can be easy to overindulge on sweets during this time of year at various festive functions or even while waiting for trick-or-treaters to knock on the door. We want to share some helpful tips to keep your teeth from experiencing a scare:
- Choose chocolate or sweets that melt easily over sticky or chewy treats
- Avoid treats that will linger on the teeth such as fruit snacks, caramel, and taffy
- Drink plenty of water to wash away lingering bacteria
- Brush as soon as possible
- Consider distributing non-candy treats such as stickers, pencils, or Play-Doh
Halloween is a time when we are more mindful about the sugar we are consuming; however, it is important to remain diligent with your oral health throughout the year. Be sure to visit our office every six months for a routine hygiene examination and clean your teeth thoroughly and properly every day. This includes brushing for two minutes twice a day and using dental floss daily.
If you are located in the Spring Hill, FL area and have any questions about how to properly clean your teeth or need to schedule an appointment be sure to contact our office. We are happy to help keep your teeth from experiencing any frights this Halloween.
