How To Have A Cavity-Free Halloween

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The La Jolla Dental Image team wishes everyone a safe and happy Halloween. We also want you to keep your smile bright and healthy without sacrificing the fun of all the Halloween goodies! So here are some tips on keeping your teeth healthy and strong.

How Does Sugar Cause Cavities?

Eating sugary treats has a direct connection to tooth decay and the development of cavities. More specifically, sugar left on the surface of your teeth is consumed by certain bacteria that produce acid as it digests the sugar. This acid is harmful to your teeth and causes corrosion of the tooth enamel. The corrosion of the tooth (tooth decay) creates permanent holes in the tooth. These holes are more commonly known as cavities. 

Watching sugar intake is a major concern for adults and children year-round. Still, over 90% of adults in the United States have had one or more cavities in their permanent teeth. Fighting cavities is not just a Halloween chore, but an everyday hygiene concern that can be fought with a few tips.

How Can My Family Keep Our Teeth Healthy During Halloween?

  1. Strategize Your Candy Sessions
  2. Continue Your Regular Brushing And Flossing Routine
  3. Remember To Visit The Dentist Every 6 Months

    1. Strategize Your Candy Sessions

There’s no such thing as taking your dental health too seriously. Your dental wellness can have an impact on the health of the rest of your body. With that in mind, here are some strategies to apply for the Halloween festivities.

    • Pick and choose which candies to eat. Everyone agrees it’s fun to get as much candy as possible, but you shouldn’t worry about wasting the candy you don’t like. Trade it, or give it away, so that you can make whatever candy and sugary treats you do eat count.
    • Consider chocolate bars. This is good news for chocolate lovers. Chocolate (without filling such as nougat or caramel) is not as likely to stick to your teeth as hard candy or gummies.
    • Set a scheduled time for candy instead of snacking sporadically. The kids will definitely love Candy Time, but it might seem silly to adults. However, a designated time to eat candy is a good choice. If you or the kids nibble on candy regularly throughout the day without limits, you run the risk of creating a sugar-dense environment for the bacteria in your mouths that cause cavities to thrive. When your sugar intake is not as consistent, you can give your mouth’s natural saliva production a chance to help regulate things.
    • Make candy an after-meal dessert. Your saliva production increases after a full meal. If you enjoy your candy after lunch or dinner, your saliva can help wash away sugar and sticky residue.
    • Drink plenty of water. Water is crucial to saliva production and keeping your body healthy. It also helps wash away bacteria, leftover food particles, and sugars. Consider swapping out any sugary drinks you regularly enjoy for another cup of water to help balance things out during the trick-or-treat season.

     2. Continue Your Regular Brushing And Flossing Routine

Don’t forget to take care of yourself in the midst of all the fun. Brushing twice a day and flossing one or more times is a crucial part of your preventative dental care plan that you can take into your hands. The kids might get caught up in the Halloween fun or parties and get-togethers and movie marathons, but be sure they don’t fall asleep without brushing and flossing.

     3. Remember To Visit The Dentist Every 6 Months

As a general guideline, it’s recommended that everyone should visit their dentist twice a year, or once every 6 months. Don’t forget to keep scheduled appointments for you and the kids, even as there’s more to do during the fall and winter months.

 

Even if you’ve kept your kids and yourself safe from cavities, check-ups and professional cleanings from your dentist are still integral to your family’s health. For patients seeking a family dentist in La Jolla, CA consider La Jolla Dental Image. Our providers and team have provided excellent dental care to San Diego families for over 15 years. To schedule an appointment for you, your spouse, or your children, call 858-202-0481.

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