Halloween festivities may look different this year due to COVID-19; however, many children will still end up with candy and sweets. Even adults tend to consume more sugar than average during October. Here are tips to help protect your family’s oral health on and around Halloween.
Time Your Treats
Being mindful about when you eat sugar is an easy way to defend your smile. The best time to have candy is with meals or right after mealtime. Saliva production increases when you eat food, and that is a good thing because saliva weakens acid and helps rinse sugar and bacteria off your teeth.
Avoid Sugary Snacks
Snacking throughout the day is known to increase your risk of tooth decay — and snacking on candy is even worse. You are giving the plaque bacteria on your teeth fuel to produce acid. That acid is bad for your enamel. When you have sugary treats many times throughout the day, your teeth experience repeated acid attacks.
Make Smart Choices
Some candy choices are better than others. Candies that stay in your mouth and take a long time to melt are generally worse for your oral health than candies that can be consumed quickly.
Sticky candies, like taffy, increase your risk for tooth decay because they cling to your teeth. Hard candies can also be problematic because they can chip or damage a tooth.
Postpone Brushing
Many people are surprised to learn that brushing right after eating candy may do more harm than good. This has to do with the acid levels in your mouth. It is best to wait thirty minutes to an hour after eating candy before brushing your teeth. In the meantime, be sure to rinse your mouth with water.
Visit Our Aurora Dentists
Our Aurora dentists make it simple for your family to enjoy beautiful, healthy smiles. Regular visits to our practice help prevent dental problems and allow us to catch concerns early for easier treatment.
Call 303-751-3321 today to request a free consultation. Aspenwood Dental Associates and Colorado Dental Implant Center has proudly served Aurora, Denver, Centennial, and nearby areas of Colorado since 1972.