Have A Smile-Friendly Halloween
Halloween will be here before we know it! Many people love this holiday because it is a time when everyone can become someone, or something, else and indulge in more sweets than they would normally eat. While we know that our patients young and old love a sweet treat now and again, an abundance of candy and sugary foods during this holiday can lead to decay, discomfort, and added dental costs. We have created some tips to help you enjoy your sweets this Halloween and help you care for your teeth at the same time. Read on to learn more.
Tips to Help Your Teeth This Halloween
We have three tips to help you enjoy some sweet treats this Halloween while also keeping your oral health in mind:
Choose Chocolate
You probably never thought your dentist would tell you to choose chocolate as a candy choice, but when discussing Halloween and the best candy options to choose, we recommend chocolate. Chocolate doesn’t adhere to teeth like other choices. We would suggest that you pass on chewy and gummy candy, hard candies such as lollipops, and sour candies. These other choices are prone to sticking to your teeth and leaving harmful bacteria on them for an extended time.
Drink Plenty of Water
When you are enjoying your Halloween celebration, you are not always going to be able to brush your teeth immediately after enjoying a sweet treat. We recommend drinking plenty of water to help wash away any lingering bacteria remaining on your teeth.
Eat Candy with Meals
When you eat a meal, your mouth produces extra saliva to help wash away the lingering food and bacteria. When you choose to eat candy and sweet treats with meals, the saliva production is already enhanced and can help rid your mouth of the majority of the harmful bacteria.
Halloween is a time that we are mindful of the sugar on our teeth, but it is also a great reminder that teeth need to be properly cared for year round. Now is a great time to review the proper way to brush at least twice daily and floss daily. Along with these tips, we always recommend staying on top of your regular dental cleanings. Please call us at our office located in Houston, TX if you have any questions or to schedule your next cleaning, and we will be happy to help.
