Dental Tips for a Healthy Halloween

Halloween is a holiday celebrated by people all over the world. It is a holiday full of candy, costumes, and spooky decorations. Many candies that are commonly eaten at Halloween are very harmful to teeth. In order to protect your teeth from damage this Halloween, it is important to follow some dental treatment tips:

Avoid Sticky, Chewy Candy

Your smile can be damaged by more than just cavities, which is why it’s important to avoid eating sugary and acidic candies and treats like gummy bears and caramels. Many types of candies are hard enough to chip or crack your teeth, but even softer ones can stick to your enamel and cause damage over time. If you really want a sweet treat to indulge in this holiday, choose chocolate! Not only is dark chocolate a healthier option than milk chocolate, but it’s also not as hard on teeth as hard candies.

Avoid Hard Candies

This tip is especially helpful for little ones who can’t take their teeth out of their mouths yet! Hard and sticky candies like caramels, gummies, or jawbreakers can bend teeth and get stuck in between teeth. Cavities can get bigger when sugar stays on your teeth for a long time. Limited access to candy can limit the amount of sugary sweets your child eats.

Brush After Eating Candy

Even after eating a little piece of candy, you should brush twice per day. Rinse your mouth with water to wash away excess sugar and food particles before brushing. Flossing once a day helps remove plaque from hard-to-reach spots like the back molars. Even a few pieces of candy could be enough to cause cavities in young children’s small mouths, so it’s important to keep your children’s mouths as clean as possible to prevent infection and ensure proper development.

Keep Your Treats to Mealtimes

Trick-or-treating and candy are traditional parts of this spooky holiday, but you don’t have to miss out on your favorites. Have fun with your trick-or-treaters and treat yourself to a scoop of your favorite ice cream or a few pieces of dark chocolate to enjoy in moderation. Again, make sure to avoid sticky candies that can get stuck in between your teeth and cause tooth decay. Eat your sugary snacks in one sitting rather than snacking on them throughout the night. This can help to reduce your chances of developing cavities. If you do end up with some sugar on your teeth, make sure to follow up by brushing as soon as possible.

Bonus Tip: Drinking more water can also reduce your risk of cavities over time. When you drink less water, your mouth becomes dry and more likely to produce acids that eat away at your tooth enamel. Keep yourself hydrated throughout the day and night for healthier teeth!

To learn more tips to improve your oral health, contact University Oaks Dental, 6363 San Felipe St #200b, Houston, TX 77057 at (713) 461-8012, or schedule an appointment with us through our website.