The holiday season is amongst us and with it comes lots of candy and sweet treats. Before you and your family enjoy a heaping serving of Halloween candy this year, learn how to enjoy your sweet treats without the cavities. Dr. Fornalczyk at Advanced Dentistry of Butler is here to provide you with these tips for enjoying Halloween without the cavities.
Eat Candy at the Right Time
You read that right, there are a right and a wrong time to enjoy your Halloween candy. Try to eat your candy and other sugary treats with other meals or shortly afterward. Since eating increases your saliva production, your mouth will be ready to wash away the sugar from your teeth when you eat the candy. You can also prevent cavities by not snacking on the candy throughout the day. It’s better to eat all of your candy in one sitting than by spreading it throughout the day. It’s easier to remove sugar and bacteria from your teeth after one session than it is after several.
Choose the Right Candy
If you want to avoid cavities but still enjoy candy, choose your candy wisely. Hard candy or sticky candy will stick to your teeth much longer than chocolates or chewy candy. When sugar rests on your teeth for too long it can form plaque which can result in tooth decay.
Keep Your Mouth Clean
After you eat your Halloween candy, do what you can to rinse the sugar away. Drink lots of water, brush your teeth, chew on sugar-free gum, or eat a carrot. These steps will help clean your teeth and remove the harmful sugar that causes cavities.
Stay Away From Sugary Drinks
If you’re already indulging in Halloween candy, it’s best to stay away from sugary drinks. Soda, sports drinks, juice or even flavored water can cause cavities as much as candy. Drinking water with your candy is the best way to enjoy your candy without fearing cavities.
Maintain Dental Hygiene
Dental hygiene is incredibly important for fighting cavities, especially if you’re indulging in candy. During the holiday season filled with sweet treats, it’s important to start by brushing your teeth at least twice a day. If you can brush your teeth directly after indulging, it’s even better. Not only should you brush your teeth in the morning and at night, but you should also floss at least once per day. Brushing and flossing help you remove plaque and food particles from your teeth to fight cavities.
Follow these tips to enjoy your Halloween candy without the cavities. If you’re overdue for a dental cleaning or would like to schedule an appointment with our dentist, call (724) 282-4436 today.
