How To Maintain Oral Hygiene During Spooky Season
Once the clock strikes October, Halloween season is officially upon us! No matter how much you may try to make those candy stashes smaller, we all know that where there’s a will, there’s a way. And this can’t be truer than it is with children and their endless desire for treats!
But, there are ways to mitigate the candy madness. Here are some tips that can help you to keep your family’s oral hygiene healthy as we approach the spookiest season of the year:
Have a Plan
First and foremost, have a plan. While it might not be a popular opinion, we suggest limiting your stash. Have your children choose a certain number of pieces of candy to enjoy over a specific period of time (in moderation & as a treat, of course!) and then consider donating the rest. With a quick Google search, you can get an idea of where to donate locally and nationally.
Enjoy Your Treat During the Right Time of Day
Yes, there is a “right” time of day to eat candy. And that happens to be with or shortly after you eat a meal. Why? Saliva production increases when you’re eating, which helps to balance out acids that the bacteria in your mouth produce. The saliva also helps to rinse away food particles.
Remember that Candy is a Treat, Not a Snack or a Meal
It’s important that you treat candy like, well, a treat versus a snack or even a meal. Not only can snacking increase your risk of cavities, but when it’s sugary goodness you’re reaching for, this risk amplifies. As we learned in our blog post about soda & “sugar-free” drinks, we know that sugars sit on your teeth and eat away at your tooth enamel. Instead, focus your snacking on foods that can help to protect your tooth enamel.
Try to Avoid Sour Candy
Sour candy is known as being the worst kind for your teeth because it’s extremely acidic. The extra acidity factor combined with sugar means that your tooth enamel will become even more sensitive. When you try to brush your teeth when they’re already sensitive, you run the risk of doing more damage to them.
Sticky is Icky
Much like sour candy, sticky candy holds a bad reputation, too. Candies like taffy cling to your teeth and can take longer to get washed away by saliva. This will increase the risk of tooth decay.
Maintain a Healthy Diet
Your body is fueled by what you put into it. We often overlook the impact that foods have on our oral health, and instead focus on how they affect our general health. The fact of the matter is that our diet is critical to our teeth and gum health, too. Also, there are plenty of healthy Halloween snacks that you can offer your children and your guests, too!
Drink More Water
Staying hydrated and drinking water not only helps you to rinse away loose particles as you enjoy your sweet treats, but it can also help to prevent tooth decay. If you’re drinking bottled water, keep your eyes out for fluoridated water.
Maintain Your Oral Hygiene Routine
Just because it’s that time of year, it doesn’t give you carte blanche to abandon your oral hygiene routine. Now, more than ever, it’s important that you continue to brush and floss daily. At the very least, try your best to ensure that your children are still brushing twice daily and flossing in the evenings.
We wish everyone a safe, happy & healthy fall and an enjoyable Halloween!
