Halloween is around the corner, which means you and your family are likely being inundated with Halloween treats and even drinks, such as pumpkin spice lattes. While these are fun, and we want you to enjoy trick or treating on the big day, we also want you to avoid tooth decay. In today’s blog, your Pella, IA, dentist talks about protecting your smiles from cavities during Halloween!
The Causes of Tooth Decay
How do our sugary sweets we receive during the spooky season lead to tooth decay? When we consume candy and drinks with a lot of sugar, this leaves behind particles trapped on and between the teeth, which harmful oral bacteria can consume in a process that creates plaque buildup. The buildup then hardens with time into tartar, which cannot be removed with brushing and flossing alone, and which weakens and erodes the outer enamel to cause tooth decay. Candies with sticky ingredients like toffee or caramel are especially dangerous for your smile. But we have some tips so you can enjoy your holiday fun without leaving your smile vulnerable to cavities.
Avoiding Halloween Cavities
First, moderation is key. Be sure you limit how many pieces you and your kids eat each day. Limit yourselves to a piece or two just after dinner, when the increased saliva production can help rinse away the sugar particles. Following your treats with a glass of water is helpful for the same reason. Parents can offer their kids the chance to trade their candy in for a toy or a chance to do a fun activity, or even cash. If you are handing out treats this year, you can select sugar-free options or even choose fun party favors, like temporary tattoos, spider rings, or tiny plastic skeletons.
Our Team can Help
We can also help protect smiles from tooth decay. For all ages we can conduct a dental exam and then clean the teeth to remove plaque and tartar completely, which protects the enamel and lowers the risk of tooth decay. We can also help kids by applying fluoride treatments or even dental sealants to help lower the risk of tooth decay. We can discuss better homecare habits too, as proper brushing and flossing is essential for safeguarding smiles from the onset of cavities.
If you have any questions about avoiding cavities during the Halloween season and the holidays to come, then please reach out to our team today.
Schedule Your Visit and Avoid a Cavity
We want to help you and your family avoid the onset of cavities following Halloween and throughout the holiday season. Call Allen and Neumann Family Dentistry in Pella, IA, today at 641-628-1121 to learn more about cavity prevention.