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Halloween is fast approaching, and with it, tons of candy will be consumed by kids and adults throughout the country. In fact, 4% of all candy Americans consume is eaten on Halloween. Since it’s pretty much inevitable that your kids will be coming back with a pumpkin-shaped bucket load of candy, these tips can keep their smiles bright once the festivities are over.
Limit Your Snack Time
Most Americans are going to cut loose with their diets this Halloween, but it doesn’t have to be a day-long affair. To spare your teeth from a day full of being bathed in sugar, reserve your candy time for a few select hours in the evening time. By doing this, you can mitigate damage to your smile without neglecting your sweet tooth this Halloween.
Make it More about Fun than Candy
While Halloween is undoubtedly a holiday where candy is prevalent, it’s also a day where hayrides, haunted houses, and other fun events are happening. With a little planning, you can ensure that your Halloween is more focused on fun and time with friends and family than just sitting around eating candy.
Drink Lots of Water
Saliva is the body’s natural defense against sugar, acid, and the bacteria that cause cavities. Drinking water accomplishes the same effect, washing the teeth clean while keeping your body hydrated. There are numerous reasons why it’s a good idea to drink water each day, especially the fact that it flushes the mouth of sugars that would normally stick to the teeth.
Chew ADA Approved Gum
If you grew up chewing sugary gums like Bazooka and Bubble Yum, then it may come as a surprise that dentists throughout the country recommend sugar-free gum. In addition to replacing sugar with a xylitol-based sweetener, the act of chewing gum stimulates saliva and can scrape debris from your teeth. If you’re unsure if the gum you’re buying is good for your teeth or not, simply look for the ADA seal on the package signifying that it’s excellent for your smile.
Avoid Soda & Juice
If you’re already planning to eat your weight in candy this Halloween, don’t double the damage by washing it down with soda or juice. Both of those drinks typically contain tons of sugar, so rather than bathing your teeth in sugar as well as eating candy, stick to water to keep your smile clean as you feed your sweet tooth this Halloween – your teeth will thank you!
Brush Twice Per Day
A large amount of the damage caused to your teeth this Halloween can be reversed with a thorough brushing and flossing session before you retire for the night. If you get caught up in the fun and choose to skip your oral care, then that sugar and candy particles will cling to your teeth for hours throughout the night. Commit to giving your teeth a strong scrubbing and flossing this Halloween to ensure that your smile is bright and fresh the next day.
Our San Antonio, TX Dental Team Will Keep Your Smile Bright
If you feel that your teeth need some attention after this Halloween, they may need a thorough cleaning from Dr. Chris Reger and his team in San Antonio. With professional knowledge and tools, we can remove the hard-to-reach debris from your teeth as well as cavity-causing tartar. Contact us today to see how we can freshen up your smile!
