Halloween dates back more than 2,000 years and was originally a celebration of the end of summer and the beginning of winter.
Back then, this holiday was marked by bonfires, sacrifices, and costumes. Today, a big part of Halloween is indulging in all the candy collected on the night of October 31st.
But all that candy requires a serious post-Halloween dental care plan. Look no further than these 3 tips for staying healthy and maintaining dental hygiene this Halloween season.
1. Eat Candy at the “Right” Times
While it may be tempting to reach into the candy bowl between meals, you should try not to snack on candy.
Sugar interacts with plaque bacteria on your teeth and this produces acid. That acid dissolves the enamel from your teeth, eventually creating cavities.
So, when you snack on sugary treats, you’re increasing your risk of cavities. Instead, eat candy with meals or just after you’ve eaten a meal (like a dessert).
During a meal, your mouth produces saliva. That saliva can help wash away the sugar.
2. Avoid Some Options for Candy
The longer you have sugar in your mouth or on your teeth, the higher the risk of cavities and tooth decay. That means that your options for candy should not include those that stay in your mouth for a long period of time, like lollipops. It also means avoiding sticky candies.
Sticky candy like taffy or caramels can get stuck in your teeth, where it takes some time for saliva to wash away. If you must indulge in these types of candy, try drinking more water as part of your post-Halloween dental care.
3. Brush and Floss
It should go without saying because brushing and flossing should be part of any regular dental hygiene routine. But it’s especially important to brush and floss as part of your post-Halloween dental care routine.
As we’ve already discussed, the sugar that gets stuck in and around the teeth can lead to cavities and tooth decay. Brushing and flossing really are your best defense for removing as much of that as possible.
However, you shouldn’t brush and floss immediately after eating some candies. The acid that forms on your teeth as sugar comes into contact with them can soften the tooth enamel.
If you brush immediately after eating candies, then, you could brush away that enamel and cause damage to your teeth. Instead, wait 30 minutes to brush your teeth after consuming something acidic.
Let Us Help You with Post-Halloween Dental Care
With all the sugary treats and candies we consume around this time of year, it’s important to ensure we’re maintaining our dental hygiene. Follow these 3 tips for post-Halloween dental care and you’ll minimize the risk that comes with an increased intake of sugar.
You might also book an appointment for your bi-annual cleaning around this time of year to be extra careful. If that’s how you want to take care of post-Halloween dental hygiene, call us to reserve your spot.
