Tips for a Non-Spooky Halloween Smile

It’s October again, which means Halloween is right around the corner! In all likelihood, some of you are picking out your get-ups and trick-or-treat approaches for the 31st. That said, you probably don’t want damaged teeth to be part of your upcoming costume. Given this fact, then, it’d be in your interest to protect your smile from excess Halloween sweets. Luckily, your dentist in Mesquite can help you do so. Read on to learn four ways to keep your smile healthy and beautiful during All Hallow’s Eve!

Only Have Sweets After Meals

While you might want to eat Halloween candy whenever, that’s not a good idea. All the extra sugar will increase your risk of tooth decay and cavities.

For this reason, only have your spooky sweets after meals. The saliva in your mouth — which rinses away food particles and stops bacterial acids — will be greater at these points. Plus, snacking would increase the time sugary food stays on your teeth. In contrast, eating them after a meal reduces sugar’s contact with your teeth.

Fill up On Mouth-Healthy Foods & Drinks

Besides limiting your candy time, try to eat a balanced diet too. Doing so will have positive effects on your overall health as well as your oral health. Furthermore, “filling up” on good foods will prevent you from over-indulging in candy.

While you’re at it, also avoid sugar-heavy drinks like soda, sports drinks, and flavored waters. When teeth react to such beverages, the risk of tooth decay is increased.

Be Careful of Which Candies You Eat

Some candies are worse for teeth than others. In particular, hard candy and sticky sweets would stay in your mouth for a long time. As such, they’re some of the worst items for your teeth. For one thing, sticky candies take longer to get washed away by saliva. Meanwhile, hard ones can crack a tooth if you aren’t careful.

Remember Your Oral Hygiene

Whether you or your little ones, don’t end Halloween night before brushing and flossing teeth. Remember to brush them twice daily for two minutes and floss them once daily. You could also include oral rinses with mouthwash, as necessary.

To ensure your oral health stays tip-top for Halloween, follow these tips from your dentist in Mesquite. That way, your smile can enjoy the festivities as much as you will!

About the Author

Dr. Robert. E. Tafel is a dentist based in the North Texas area. His newest Mesquite location brings the same unsurpassed dental care as his other clinics. As such, his team performs a range of preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatments, including emergency procedures. The office is also a certified provider of traditional braces and other orthodontics. Dr. Tafel currently practices at Bear Creek Family Dentistry and is reachable on his website or by phone at (972)-331-5300.