Trick or Treat! Mind Your Teeth!
We all know that sugar can be bad for your teeth, which makes Halloween a particularly scary time for your oral health!
Sugar in sweets and fizzy drinks allows for the bacteria in dental plaque to produce acids. This acid can lead to loss of tooth mineral, which eventually leads to cavities and tooth decay.
Dr Jennifer Collins, Lead General Dentist at Northumberland Dental Care, has outlined some tricks to protect your healthy teeth this Halloween.
#1 Choose Treats Wisely
While sugar in general is bad for your teeth, some treats can be more harmful than others. For example, sticky sweets such as toffee or jellies will linger on your teeth for longer than softer treats like chocolate, which puts you at higher risk of experiencing tooth decay. Also, beware of hard sweets that can chip or crack teeth. Bags of popcorn are a great, healthy option for trick-or-treaters!
#2 Timing is Everything
We advise enjoying your Halloween treats during mealtimes, such as after dinner. Saliva production is increased during mealtimes, so your mouth will be better able to rinse sugar off your teeth. If you graze on sweet treats throughout the day, your mouth does not get a chance to rinse the sugar away, putting you at higher risk of tooth decay.
#3 Drink Plenty of Water
Drinking plenty of water will help dilute any acid attacks caused by sugary foods or drinks, and will also wash away any sticky sweets that are stuck to your teeth. However, keep in mind to avoid ‘healthy’ drinks such as smoothies or fruit juices, as these also contain high amounts of sugar and so can be counter productive.
#4 Be Fearful of Fake Fangs
It is important to be cautious of Halloween costumes that may impact dental health, such as fake teeth or prosthetics. Read the labels carefully to avoid any potential choking hazards for children. For younger children, who are losing baby teeth, it is best to avoid wearing any false teeth or fangs, in case tooth loss may be accelerated.
#5 Keep Up Good Habits
Maintaining a good, regular dental hygiene routine is very important for healthy teeth, especially when teeth are exposed to more sugar than usual. Ideally, we should be brushing our teeth twice a day for two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste, especially last thing at night. Also, don’t forget to floss!
#6 Wait Before Brushing
While brushing is important for healthy teeth, it’s important not to brush your teeth too soon after consuming sugary food or drinks. Some acidic foods soften your enamel, so if you brush right after eating them, you risk damaging your enamel further while it is weakened. For this reason, it’s a good idea to wait approximately 30 minutes before brushing your teeth.
#7 Schedule an Annual Exam
The Halloween mid-term break is a good time to schedule a family dental appointment if you haven’t already done so. The best way to prevent dental issues is to visit your dentist regularly. Remember, prevention is better than cure! You can book online with Northumberland Dental Care here.
