October is here, and if your family is like millions of others around the country, you’re eagerly preparing for Halloween. Some enjoy picking out the perfect costumes, while others prefer setting up decorations to spook trick-or-treaters, but when it comes to your smile, excessive candy can be the scariest nightmare of all.
If you or your family neglect your dental health this month, all that sugar can eventually cause dental problems, like cavities, gum disease, or injuries, that could otherwise have been prevented. Read on for 3 tips to keep your teeth happy and healthy while still celebrating the season!
Tip #1: Stick to Softer Candies
Sugar attracts destructive bacteria that produce enamel-eroding acids as they flourish. If you eat lots of sweet treats around Halloween, you significantly increase your risk of cavities or enamel damage.
But some candies are more harmful than others. For example, hard lollipops might chip or crack your teeth if you bite down on them, and chewy taffy sticks around longer, giving germs a surface to cling to. Meanwhile, chocolate is softer, which can reduce injury risk, and it melts in your mouth rather than sticking to your teeth, which can be better for your dental health than the alternatives.
Tip #2: Eat Candy after Meals
If you have leftover candy that didn’t go to trick-or-treaters, or your child came home with a bagful they collected, you might feel tempted to graze on sugary treats throughout the day. But frequent or prolonged exposure to sugar increases the risk of developing different dental issues.
You can help protect your enamel by eating candy with meals or shortly after finishing them. This is because your mouth produces more saliva to aid digestion, which helps protect your grin. For example, it rinses away leftover food, keeps your mouth moist to kill germs, and has a nearly neutral pH to counter acid attacks. Enjoying candy when your grin is already actively working to fight problems helps you avoid them.
Tip #3: Drink Water After Indulging
You can also help safeguard your smile this Halloween by drinking more water, especially immediately after eating candy. Like saliva, it keeps your mouth moist so unhealthy bacteria can’t thrive and washes away leftover food and sticky sugar residue after you indulge in tasty goodies.
Drinking more water can also support your immune system, helping your body deliver essential nutrients and infection-fighting cells to your gums to help prevent disease and decay.
Taking a few simple precautions can help you protect your teeth while still making the most of your Halloween!
Meet the Author
Dr. Nicholas Brong is passionate about helping children and adults build and maintain happy, healthy teeth and gums. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco, and remains committed to continuing education to offer the most up-to-date services using state-of-the-art technology. Today, he offers a complete menu of services, including routine preventive care, to meet the unique needs of people of all ages under one roof. If you’re concerned about cavities this Halloween, you can request an appointment on the website or by calling (507) 288-1066.
