Are you feeling the anticipation as Halloween approaches? Do you occasionally look over your shoulder, expecting to see a member of our dental care team watching you as you reach for some yummy candy? If you’re feeling anxious, there’s no need. We are human, just like you, and understand that with holiday time comes cauldrons full of treats too alluring to ignore. With that said, there is a right way and a not-very-beneficial way to approach Halloween for good oral health. Lucky for you, we are happy to make sure you’re heading down the right path, so you can enjoy yourself!
Sort Your Candy
No, this isn’t like sorting your candy when you were a kid, looking for the stuff you love and then trying to trade out the candies you dislike with your little sister. When you sort candy to protect your oral health, you’re doing your best to identify and avoid the following:
- Hard candies, which can damage teeth if you bite them or will coat teeth as you suck on them (this can include lollipops)
- Sticky candies, which can damage dental work, coat your teeth, and become wrapped around orthodontics and prosthetics
Remember Your Preventive Care!
Don’t let this be one of those times you convince yourself you don’t really need to brush your teeth (and floss). It might be 2:00am by the time you’re done with all the fun but just because it’s almost time for your morning dental hygiene session doesn’t mean your oral health won’t “know” that you skipped your nighttime brushing. Here’s what to keep in mind:
- It’s best to rinse your smile with water after eating candy (then follow it by brushing in about 30 minutes)
- It’s always important to brush before bed
- You can keep your sweet tooth happy with sugarless gum, which is actually a good way to keep your smile clean and to avoid decay
