It's that time
of the year, time for ghosts, ghouls, and cavities! OK, well maybe not right
away, but Halloween is one of the most sugary days of the year. And, it's just
the beginning of the sweets and treats season. For the next couple of months,
there will be no shortage of sweets, cakes and cookies, at home, at parties and
gatherings. With all that extra sugar, it is even more important to guard
against the evils of tooth decay.
Of course,
good dental hygiene is
important no matter what day of the year, but as we know, prolonged exposure to
sugary foods can cause tooth decay, and it happens faster than you think! To
get through Halloween and the holiday season without any cavities, follow these
dental tips:
- First and foremost, regular brushing and flossing is the best way to prevent tooth decay. Adding a mouthwash provides extra protection. Rinsing the mouth between brushing is also a good way to prevent bacteria from building up and acids from damaging tooth enamel.
- Not all candy is created equal, and some are harder on the teeth than others. The longer the teeth are exposed to sugars and acids, the more likely to cause decay. Try to avoid or limit hard sweets that stay in the mouth for prolonged periods of time. Same goes for chewy sweets that can stick to and in between the teeth.
- Encourage your kids to drink lots of water while sampling their treats. This will help wash away the sugar, reducing contact with the enamel. Avoid fizzy and other sugary drinks. Sports drinks and flavoured water are also no good for the teeth, especially in combination with sweets.
- Try to save the sweets for directly after meals. The mouth produces more saliva during and after mealtime, which helps balance out the acids and wash away bacteria and particles.
- Chew sugar-free gum. Chewing for 20 minutes after meals helps prevent tooth decay by increasing saliva production.
It isn't
necessary to ban sweets and treats this time of year, but following these
dental tips can help prevent new cavities from developing. Remember, daily
brushing with fluoride toothpaste, flossing and regular visits to the dentist
are the best way to keep teeth healthy and free of tooth decay. Following these
simple dental tips should keep your teeth safe from zombies, ghosts and
cavities throughout the year.