Halloween is a fun time of year! Who doesn’t love the costumes, or taking their children trick or treating? But there is also something to fear: tooth decay. Which is why in today’s blog, your Bellaire, TX, dentist wants to offer a few easy ways you and your kids can keep your smiles free of tooth decay!
The Link Between Candy and Cavities
Why does candy pose such a risk for smiles of all ages? Well, the sugar tends to cling to our teeth or easily become lodged between them. Once this occurs, harmful oral bacteria have a chance to consume them, a process that coats the teeth in a bacterial byproduct known as plaque. This buildup hardens with time into tartar, and cannot be removed with brushing and flossing alone. These layers then weaken outer enamel to cause cavities, and are also linked to bad breath and teeth stains too. Which is why during the Halloween season, and the following holiday season, we need to take action to protect our teeth from tooth decay.
Steps to Take at Home
At home, be sure you and your kids limit how many pieces of candy you eat each day, and try to reserve them for just after dinner. This is because the increased saliva product from eating can help remove sugar particles. Drinking a glass of water helps as well! You could also give your kids a chance to save their favorite pieces, and trade the bulk to you for a toy or a small amount of money. If your house will be handing out treats to kids this year, then you could help by offering sugar-free selections, such as party favors (plastic skeletons, bats, or spider rings), stickers, temporary tattoos, pencils, or crayons. At home, your family also needs to brush in the morning and again at night, and use a fluoride toothpaste each time to protect the outer enamel. In addition, we recommend flossing every evening as well to remove what is behind a toothbrush’s reach.
Checkups and Cleanings
A checkup and cleaning visit is helpful too! You can receive a filling that blends with your tooth if a cavity has formed, and a cleaning can remove all harmful buildup to prevent cavities from forming! You also have an opportunity to use your 2022 dental insurance benefits or your health savings account funds before they expire at the end of December. If you have any questions, give us a call!
Talk To Your Bellaire, TX Dentist About Safeguarding Little Smiles
Our team is eager to help children avoid poor oral health during the spooky season and beyond. If you have questions about avoiding painful cavities and infections, then please reach out to Contemporary Dental And Orthodontics at 713-668-9119.