Halloween is a fun holiday for the whole family, including kids and adults and everyone in between. But too much sugar, which often accompanies this time of year, could lead to cavities. In today’s blog, your Celina, TX, dentist talks about how to avoid the onset of Halloween cavities.
The Risk of Too Much Sugar
When we consume lots of sweets with too much sugar, particularly the kinds that contain clingy ingredients like caramel and toffee, this could allow sugar to remain trapped on and between the teeth. Harmful oral bacteria then consume them, which elevates oral acidity levels and coats the teeth in plaque and tartar buildup. These layers then weaken and erode the outer enamel, a complication that leads to tooth decay and painful symptoms, such as sensitivity and toothaches. Without treatment, the chances for infection and even tooth loss will only increase. Which is why we want to help you and your family safeguard your smiles during the spooky season and the holidays to come!
Tips for Healthy Smiles During Halloween
First, try to avoid chewy and sticky candies and opt for ones easier to remove from your teeth, such as milk chocolate. Limit you and your family to one to two pieces a day, and reserve them for just after dinner and follow them with a glass of water. The combination of an increased saliva production and water helps rinse away the sugar particles. You can also help your kids choose a few favorite pieces and then trade the rest to you for money, a toy, or a fun activity.
You should also make sure you and your family start and end your days by brushing for two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Everyone also needs to floss each evening. These actions remove the stray sugar and starch particles before bacteria can consume them, limiting the severity of plaque and tartar buildup.
Checkups, Cleanings, and More
You can also seek help from our team to avoid cavities! With a routine checkup, we can watch for weakened dental and other signs of developing decay, providing treatments like fillings to prevent infection. We can also clean the teeth, removing all plaque and tartar from them to keep your smile healthy and whole. For kids, we could apply fluoride to the teeth to keep enamel strong and prevent erosion and decay. We also have dental sealants, which coat the rear teeth kids have trouble reaching when they brush and floss, so no sugar can become stuck between these teeth, sealants can stay in place for ten years in some cases!
Celina Family Dentistry Provides Preventive Treatments
We want to help kids and adults alike enjoy their spooky good times without leading to tooth decay. To find out more about our methods for preventing cavities, call Celina Family Dentistry in Celina, TX at (214) 851-0130 today.
