Halloween will be here soon! This means that you will be able to dust off your favorite costume and buy the sweets that you’re craving in bulk. You know that it isn’t the best thing for your oral health, but eating candy is part of the season! It is hard to say “no.” Fortunately, we have five tips to help you keep your smile in excellent oral health while you still enjoy everything the spooky season has to offer. Continue reading to learn what they are!
Choose Your Sweets Carefully
Indulging in an occasional sweet treat is delicious, but some of your options are more harmful than others when it comes to your oral health. That’s why you need to be particularly careful about the types of candy you are choosing. It is a good idea to avoid the stickier sweets because they adhere to the teeth. Sticking to chocolate treats is better because they easily wash away after you enjoy them.
Make a Plan
Having a candy bar isn’t that harmful in the long run, but if you have two big buckets of sugary sweets sitting around, it can be difficult to limit yourself to just one at a time. Instead, have your family only choose a few of their favorites. It is up to you to decide what to do with the rest. Either donate it or store it someplace else for a later date.
Time Your Consumption
The best time for you to enjoy sweets would be during or shortly after a meal. This is because your saliva consumption increases at this time. Ultimately, it will wash away more food particles that can cause tooth decay and other oral health issues over time.
Drink Plenty of Water
You need to drink plenty of water for nearly every system in your body to function correctly, including your smile! When you stay hydrated, you are preventing dry mouth. Dry mouth provides the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and increases your risk for decay. Fluoride in tap water is a leading way to prevent tooth decay. If you prefer bottled water, look for one that contains the mineral, fluoride.
Chew Sugarless Gum
An excellent alternative to sugary candy is to chew on a piece of sugar-free gum. It tastes delicious and even has some benefits for your teeth since it increases saliva production in the mouth. Enjoy a piece for about 20 minutes after meals to reduce your risk for decay.
As Halloween approaches, don’t let your smile suffer! Use the tips listed above so your teeth can get through the spooking season unscathed.
About the Author
Dr. A. Faris Waheed is an experienced dentist who has been working in the field for over 15 years. He earned his dental doctorate from the prestigious Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and has completed several post-graduate courses focused on numerous subjects, including dental implants, root canal therapy, and oral sedation. Currently, he is a proud member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, American Academy of Implant Dentistry, and SPEAR Education. For more tips on keeping your smile healthy or to schedule an appointment at his office in Panama City, visit his website or call (850) 215-0128.