Trick or Treat? How to Keep Your Smile Healthy This Halloween
Halloween is a delightfully spooky season filled with creepy costumes, delicious treats, and festive decorations. While it’s the perfect opportunity to spend time with family and friends, it can also spell trouble for your smile. At High Street Dentistry, we’re here to help you and your family maintain bright, healthy smiles this Halloween and throughout the year.
Tips to Keep Your Smile Healthy This Halloween
Enjoy the Halloween treats and festivities while keeping your smile in mind with the following simple tips:
Don’t Forget to Brush and Floss: Keep up with your dental hygiene routine, including brushing at least twice a day and flossing daily. If you indulge in acidic or sugary treats, wait about 30 minutes before brushing to prevent damage to your enamel. Rinse with water in the meantime.
Be Picky About Your Treats: When choosing a Halloween treat, steer clear of the sticky, chewy candy varieties that linger on your teeth, providing an abundant food source for harmful bacteria to feast. Instead, reach out for more smile-friendly treats, like dark chocolate, which tends to have less sugar and melts away quickly, minimizing the risk to your oral health.
Timing Is Everything: Indulge in sweet Halloween treats after a meal because eating boosts saliva production, naturally cleaning your teeth and neutralizing acids. Avoid constant snacking because prolonged sugar exposure can elevate the risk of tooth decay.
Skip the Hard Candies: Hard candies are notorious for chipping or fracturing teeth, so it’s best to avoid them altogether. The last thing you want this Halloween is a miserably painful tooth and having to schedule an emergency dental visit.
Drink Plenty of Water: Water can help wash away sugar and food particles, which helps lower your risk of cavities and gum disease. So, if you have to have a ghoulish Halloween treat, wash it down with plenty of water to protect your smile.
Maintain a Healthy Diet: While it’s okay to have an occasional Halloween treat, make a point of maintaining a healthy, nutritious diet this holiday season. Consider reaching out for healthier alternatives like crisp, juicy fruits or delicious crunchy veggies. Your smile will thank you!
Preventive Dental Care Near Me in Jefferson City, MO
If you’d like to learn more about maintaining a healthy smile this Halloween and all year long, our team at High Street Dentistry is here to help. We are happy to offer oral hygiene tips and guidance to help lower the risk of dental disease. We also encourage you to keep up with your regular dental exams and cleanings to help keep your smile healthy and bright. Call (573) 636-7432 to schedule an appointment or request one online today!