Trick or Treat and Take Care of Your Teeth

With Halloween just around the corner, children (and parents) everywhere are preparing their candy bags for all of the sugary treats headed their way! Dentists on the other hand know what this holiday could mean for their patients’ dental health. As we’ve mentioned in other blogs, taking care of your teeth is not only important for good oral hygiene but your overall health as well. That can be difficult, though, when you now have pounds of candy at your disposal. Since October is National Dental Hygiene Month, we decided to take the opportunity to share a few tips and tricks as you take care of your teeth this Halloween.

Candy to Avoid

First things first, the candy itself isn’t a bad thing but certain types can be worse for your teeth than others. Avoid stickier candies that will cling to your teeth. Candy like gummies and Laffy Taffy will get stuck to your teeth for longer periods which could lead to a greater risk of tooth decay. It is also smart to avoid hard candies that could break your teeth if you aren’t careful.

Brush AND Floss After Trick or Treating

When the night is over and you’ve eaten all the candy you can handle, make sure you brush and floss those pearly whites. You don’t want to leave behind any sugar or residue that could harm your teeth. Tooth decay occurs when bacteria left on the teeth for long periods metabolize and produce a harmful level of acid which breaks down the tooth structure. Both brushing and flossing regularly play important roles in maintaining good dental hygiene and avoiding decay. Don’t let this habit end with Halloween, though!

Enjoy Candy in Moderation

It goes without saying that candy isn’t all bad. But one way to care for the dental health of your children (and yourself, let’s be honest) is to enjoy candy in moderation. That means, not eating all of your Halloween candy at one time. We recommend eating a meal before your candy intake because meals stimulate saliva production. Saliva helps to wash away sugars that sit on your teeth and produce harmful acids.

Talk to Children About Dental Health

Halloween is the perfect opportunity to teach your children about the importance of brushing and flossing their teeth. Share with them how cavities form and ways to avoid getting them, especially during this month!

We love sweets here at Montgomery Dentistry just as much as you, and encourage all of our patients, young and old, to enjoy Halloween while looking out for those pearly whites! If you need dental assistance, give us a call today to schedule your appointment.