Halloween is that wonderful time of year when people can let their spooky sides loose, but the massive amount of candy unleashed on the populace can create a scary situation for everyone’s dental health. Fortunately, there are plenty of tips and tricks to keep your teeth safe from the microscopic sugar monsters that want to eat them alive. Here are a few pointers to keep your smile healthy during the Halloween season and throughout the rest of the year as well.
Restrict Candy to Mealtimes
Eating candy only at mealtimes provides your teeth with a multi-layered shield of protection. When you sit down to a meal, your mouth steps up its saliva production. Saliva is your mouth’s first line of defense against tooth decay and a crucial part of its natural cleaning process. It protects your teeth from injury by keeping them lubricated, remineralizes your enamel, and helps wash away food debris and sugary residues. The foods you eat play a role in protecting your teeth as well. Healthy, fibrous foods like crisp fruits and vegetables can scrape plaque and other debris off your teeth without harming your enamel.
Drink Plenty of Water
Water is the beverage that is healthiest for your teeth. It contains no sugar or acids that can cause tooth decay and no pigments or dyes that can lead to stains or discoloration, and it is essential to the health of the mouth and the rest of the body. Drinking water promotes healthy saliva flow, helps wash away food debris from your teeth, and keeps your jaw muscles and gum tissues hydrated, happy, and healthy. Enjoy a nice tall glass of water after indulging in candy to help get rid of lingering sugars.
Stay on Top of Your Oral Hygiene
If you take care of your teeth, they’ll take care of you. An excellent oral hygiene routine includes brushing, flossing, and rinsing with antibacterial mouthwash. You should brush your teeth at least twice a day, once after breakfast and once before bed, while taking care to wait for a half-hour after eating. It’s best to floss before bed so your teeth are free of debris for a full eight hours while you sleep. Antibacterial mouthwash can kill 99% of the germs that cause oral disease and leave your breath fresh and minty.
If you follow these tips and keep up with your regular dental appointments, your teeth will be well-protected this Halloween season. Be sure to have a frightfully fun time, but keeping your teeth healthy will keep them in biting shape for next year.
About the Author
Dr. Daniel Weldon earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine from the University of Florida College of Dentistry in 2008 and has completed continuing education courses through Spear Education. He proudly serves as a member of the Florida Dental Association, the American Dental Association, and the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. His office in Ocala, FL offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. To learn more about keeping your teeth healthy during the Halloween season, contact his office online or dial (352) 622-3236.