For many of us, this time of year comes with an influx of sugary sweets and candies in our homes. Indulging is always fun! But our Elmhurst dentists are here with some simple tips to help you safeguard your smile at the same time. It’s all about making smart choices and making a plan before temptation strikes! Keep reading to learn more…
Minimize the candy at hand
One easy way to protect your smile is to eliminate the mindless candy consumption of which we are all guilty. Make it a tradition to, post trick-or-treating, sort through your candy, keeping only your favorites. There are often organizations around town that will happily take your donated treats.
Set specific times to indulge
Another way to cut down on automatic/mindless snacking is to schedule in specific times to enjoy sweets. Because oral bacteria only remain active and feeding on sugars for about 20 to 30 minutes after you eat, you are actually helping your smile by indulging all at once, rather than continuously.
Increase your water consumption
Water is always good for your smile, because it promotes healthy saliva production. Saliva works to neutralize bacteria and re-mineralize enamel. Along with sipping H2O, try to get into the habit of vigorously rinsing your mouth after meals and snacks.
If you have any more questions about how sugar affects your smile, and what you can do about it, please don’t hesitate to give our Elmhurst dentists a call. You can also use the Contact Us page on our website, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. We hope you have a fun, safe, and trick-free Halloween!