We all know that sugar can be bad for your teeth, which makes Halloween a particularly scary time for your oral health! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr Jennifer Collins, Lead General Dentist at Northumberland Dental Care, has outlined some tricks to protect your healthy teeth this Halloween.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
#1 Choose Treats Wisely<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 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!<\/p>\n\n\n\n #2 Timing is Everything<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #3 Drink Plenty of Water<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 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 \u2018healthy\u2019 drinks such as smoothies or fruit juices, as these also contain high amounts of sugar and so can be counter productive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n