Protect Your “Fangs” This Halloween
We cannot believe that Halloween is later this month. We don’t know about you, but it feels like we were just enjoying the shore during the summer months. If you and your family love to indulge in candy and sweet treats during Halloween festivities, we don’t want your oral health to suffer in the future. Here are some helpful tips for your teeth this Halloween.
Tips to Help Teeth This Halloween
We have these tips to help you enjoy some sweet treats this Halloween while also keeping your oral health in mind:
Choose Chocolate
You may be surprised to see us recommend eating chocolate because it falls in the candy category. We know that our patients are going to indulge in sweet treats during this time of year. We prefer that patients choose an option like chocolate. It is best to avoid candy that is chewy and sticky. Chocolate is a great choice because it melts in your mouth and does not linger on your teeth.
Drink Plenty of Water
While we would love for our patients to brush their teeth after each meal or after eating sweets, we know that is not always feasible. If brushing is not an option, be sure that you are drinking plenty of water to help wash away any lingering bacteria from your teeth.
Eat Candy and Sweets with Meals
Every time you eat, you are introducing harmful bacteria into your mouth. While much of it gets rinsed away when you swallow, there is a large amount of bacteria that lingers on and between the teeth. To help with the level of bacteria in the mouth, it is best to enjoy candy, sweet treats, and desserts immediately after a meal. The extra saliva helps wash away the lingering food and bacteria.
Halloween is a time when we are mindful of the sugar on our teeth, but it is also a great reminder that teeth need to be properly cared for year round. Now is a great time to review the proper way to brush at least twice a day and floss daily. Along with these tips, we always recommend staying on top of your regular oral hygiene examinations. Please call us at our office located in Spotswood, NJ if you have any questions or to schedule your next appointment. We hope you have a happy and safe Halloween.
