We know how fun Halloween is, and we want you and your family to enjoy trick or treating and other spooky activities. But too many sweets could also lead to the onset of painful cavities. In today’s blog, your Garland, TX, dentist talks about how to avoid cavities following your Halloween fun!
Trick or Treating and Tooth Decay
Your favorite candies all contain sugar, which can cling to the teeth or become stuck between them. This is especially true of chewy and sticky options, like taffy and gummies. When these stay behind in the smile, they will be consumed by harmful oral bacteria. As they break down these particles, this coats the teeth in layers of plaque and tartar, which could weaken enamel and erode it, leaving smiles vulnerable to cavities. Warning signs could include tooth sensitivity and toothaches, and once your tooth hurts the decay has reached a more advanced stage, one that elevates the risk of a dental infection!
Cutting Back on Sugar
To enjoy your Halloween fun but keep your smile safe, you need to take action. First, opt for chocolate options that are low in caramel and other sticky ingredients. Choose your favorite pieces and offload the rest. For example, many parents offer kids a chance to trade or sell their candy to them for money or a small toy. Try to limit eating candy to just after a meal, so the increased production of saliva help clean the smile. A glass of water helps as well! You also need to take time to brush and floss daily. Kids and adults need to brush twice a day for two minutes, and use a fluoride toothpaste to help fortify the outer enamel. Flossing is beneficial as it reaches and removes what is beyond the reach of a toothbrush.
Seeing Our Team
You and your family also need checkups and cleanings every six months. An exam is a chance to look for signs of decay and offer treatment to protect the smile and prevent painful infections or tooth loss. In the same visit, we will clean the teeth to remove all plaque and tartar, leaving it less likely to develop cavities. You can also use your remaining 2022 dental insurance benefits and health savings account funds before they expire at the end of December!
Your Garland, TX, Dentist Protects Smiles of All Ages
We want you to enjoy your Halloween fun without leaving your smile at risk for tooth decay. To learn more about how we treat and protect smiles from cavities, then please schedule a consultation today by contacting Mai Dentistry in Garland, TX at (972)-530-0552. You can also find our practice at 6850 N Shiloh Rd, Suite C Garland, TX 75044.
