Don’t Forget Your Teeth While You Trick Or Treat

Written by Dr. McKay on Oct 29, 2019

Halloween is here! And for many of us, that means an influx of sweet treats and goodies.

You probably already know that sugary snacks are, on the whole, not good for your smile. Our Glendale dentists are here to help you protect your smile while you celebrate the season. Let’s get started!

The first thing to understand is why, precisely, sugar is bad for your oral health. The short answer is that harmful oral bacteria love to feed on sugars—they use the energy derived from sugars to grow and multiply. The more sugar you consume, the easier it is for bacteria to take over.

Obviously, the first step to maintaining a healthy smile is to limit the amount of sugar in your diet as much as possible. Beyond that, there are certain things you can do to minimize the effect of sugar when you do indulge:

Don’t snack continuously

Be mindful about when you enjoy your candy. Remember that oral bacteria stay active and feeding on sugars for about twenty to thirty minutes after you eat. So, if you are constantly snacking on sweets throughout the day, you’re allowing oral bacteria to feed all day long!

Drink plenty of water

Drinking water allows your body to produce plenty of bacteria-neutralizing saliva. Plus, the physical act of drinking helps to dislodge dental debris and bacteria. An easy adjustment to your daily routine is to try and replace just one sugary or acidic beverage with water—your smile will thank you for it!

Rinse your smile regularly

Try vigorously rinsing your smile with water as soon as you finish eating. Don’t let sugars sit on your smile any longer than is necessary!

When you are mindful about consuming sweets, you minimize your risk of developing cavities and gum disease down the road. Enjoy a safe and happy Halloween, and don’t hesitate to reach out to our Glendale dentists for additional advice or support!