Elmhurst Family Dentist Gives You Tips For Protecting Your Smile This Halloween

Written by Dr. Scharfenberg on Oct 26, 2016

Our Elmhurst dentists know that this time of year—Halloween time—can post problems for dental patients who are trying to maintain healthy smiles. When are surrounded by so many sugary goodies, it can be difficult to make good decisions for you oral health!

We’re here to give you some helpful tips regarding maintaining oral health around Halloween. Let’s get started!

The first thing that we encourage you to do is to drink plenty of water every single day. Water helps your body produce plenty of saliva; saliva neutralizes harmful oral bacteria and helps to re-mineralize your dental enamel. Additionally, rinsing your mouth with water will help you dislodge bits of candy and sugar from between your teeth.

When you get back from trick-or-treating you’ll have a huge stash of candy in front of you. One of the best things that you can do for your smile is to plan how and when you’ll indulge by eating candy. For example, it is better for your smile if you eat candy after a meal, because your body will already be producing a lot of saliva during the meal. It’s also better if you consume sugary candy once or twice a day, rather than snacking throughout the day—we want to limit the total amount of time that sugars are able to sit on your enamel or oral tissues.

Finally, take special precautions when consuming hard candies or sticky/chewy candies. Make sure not to chew on hard candies, as this habit can cause your dental enamel to develop mini cracks and chips. These cracks and chips become vulnerable to further damage and infections. If you indulge in sticky candies, take the time to floss remnants from between your teeth when you’re done, and rinse vigorously with water after consuming.

If you want more information about how you can help protect your smile during this indulgent season, please feel free to call our Elmhurst dentists to get started!