October is spooky season, but we want to help you not scare people off with bad oral hygiene! During this month, we’re sure that lots of candy is going to be presented to you and your children more often. We’re all about indulging here at you Reno family dentist, but we want to make sure your also having a healthy Halloween.
Here are some tips to keep your oral hygiene healthy this Halloween.
Eat Your Candy During the Right Time of Day
Eat Halloween candy and sweets with meals or shortly after mealtime (hello dessert!). Saliva production increases during meals. This helps cancel out acids produced by bacteria in your mouth and rinse away food particles.
Keep Your Halloween Candy as a Treat, Not a Snack
Snacking can increase your risk of cavities, and it’s double the trouble if you keep grabbing sugary treats from the candy bowl. Those sugars sit on your teeth throughout the day and eat away at your enamel. Make sure to keep your halloween candy put away and grab a piece or two as a treat after a meal rather than eating it throughout the day.
Sour Candy Is Worse For Your Teeth
Sour candies are extremely acidic on our teeth. If you’re going to be throwing away any candy, throw the sour ones away. It is not recommended to brush your teeth right after you eat candy because of the combination of sugar and acid. If you don’t drink a lot of water while eating candy— which can neutralize the acid – your enamel is will become extra sensitive. Brushing your teeth when they’re already sensitive can cause more damage. Add the sour component, and the enamel on your child’s teeth with eat away faster.
Drink More Water
Drinking fluoridated water can help prevent tooth decay. If you choose bottled water, look for kinds that are fluoridated.
Stay On Top of Your Cleaning Regime
Of course, it’s important to stay on top of cleaning your teeth. Make sure you and your children are brushing morning and night and flossing every night before bed.
We hope you and your family have a safe, fun and healthy Halloween this year. Make sure to follow the tips listed above for protecting your child’s teeth from Halloween candy! As always, if you have any questions, make sure to set up an appointment with us today.
