Dental Care Tips For Halloween

Tooth decay is a major concern on Halloween. In fact, it’s one of the worst candy holidays. Candy is full of sugar, which can damage your teeth. It can also lead to plaque buildup and cavities.

Brush and Floss Your Teeth

Brushing and flossing before bed will get rid of any excess sugar left behind when eating candy or other sweets that can damage the teeth. 

Drink Enough Water

Drinking water throughout the night can also help rinse away some of the excess sugars and acid from the food that can cause cavities. Water also helps cleanse the mouth and reduce bad breath caused by sweets that can linger in the mouth after eating them for several hours.

Avoiding Candy Treats

We all know that candy is not healthy for your teeth, but you also might not realize that certain candies are worse than others. Candies like Skittles and Starburst have no nutritional value and stick to teeth. Other candies with gooey, chewy textures are also bad because they take longer to dissolve in your mouth and stay on your teeth for longer periods of time. On the other hand, hard candies can be good for your teeth. Hard candies dissolve quickly and do not stick to teeth. Just make sure to avoid biting down on them, which can chip and crack teeth. If you do eat candy this Halloween, brush your teeth as soon as you can to minimize the amount of time the sugar remains on your teeth. And make sure to floss!

Choosing Healthier Treats

While they’re certainly tasty, candy and sugary treats aren’t the best things for your dental health. If you’re craving something sweet this Halloween, consider some of these healthier options that still taste great!

• Instead of hard candies that stick to your teeth and cause decay, reach for fruit snacks or sugar-free gum instead. These options are better for your teeth and won’t cause cavities.
• Go for dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate. The darker the chocolate is, the less sugar it has in it. Dark chocolate can actually be good for your teeth since it’s rich in nutrients and can neutralize acids in your mouth that cause tooth decay.
• Avoid sticky sweets like gummy worms and caramel apples that will cling to your teeth all day. Opt for softer options that won’t get stuck right away.

If you’re looking for more dental services to keep your smile healthy year-round, contact our dentist in Fort Collins today to schedule a routine cleaning!

To learn more tips to maintain good oral health, visit Bruce R. Clark, DDS, MAGD, 2550 Stover St E-102, Fort Collins, CO 80525. Call us at (970)498-8607 to book an appointment.