Halloween is such a fun time of year for all ages, from kids to adults. We want you to enjoy your spooky fun, but we also want to make sure you don’t fall victim to tooth decay due to your sugary treats. In today’s blog, your Grand Prairie, TX, dentist talks about enjoying Halloween fun without developing tooth decay!
How Sugar Leads to a Cavity
How does sugar threaten our smiles? When we consume items with lots of sugar, whether this is food, sweets, or drinks, this leaves behind particles on and between our teeth. When harmful oral bacteria break down and consume the particles of sugar, this elevates oral acidity in the mouth and coats the teeth in sticky plaque buildup. Over time, plaque hardens into tartar that brushing and flossing cannot remove. These layers weaken and erode the outer enamel so bacteria can reach the sensitive inner layers of dentin, leading to tooth decay. This is especially likely if you consume clingy candies that stick to the teeth, such as items with caramel or toffee. You then develop toothaches and eventually dental infection! But we have a few tips for protecting your smile during the Halloween season and also during the upcoming holidays, which are just as sugar inundated.
Protecting Smiles During Halloween
During the spooky season, try to limit yourself to just a few pieces a day. Better yet, eat them just after a meal and follow them with a glass of water. The combination of the elevated saliva production and the water help rinse away particles from your smile. Try to enjoy items like milk chocolate, which are less sticky and easier to remove with brushing and flossing. Speaking of, you need to start and end your day by brushing for two minutes. Try to use a toothbrush with soft bristles and a toothpaste with fluoride, which helps protect your outer enamel. Floss before bed too, as this removes what a toothbrush alone cannot. These actions can help better protect your smile during this time of year!
Help from Our Team
We ca also help our patients avoid tooth decay. When you see us for a routine exam, we will clean your teeth, a process that removes all plaque and tartar from your smile to lower the risk of enamel erosion and tooth decay. This is essential for kids and adults alike. For children, we could also help with a fluoride treatment, coating the teeth in fluoride to keep the outer enamel strong and erosion-free. Since kids have trouble reaching the rear molars when the and floss, we could coat these in dental sealants, which prevent sugar particles from being caught between them, often for years to come. This helps lower the risk of tooth decay. Both fluoride and dental sealants only take seconds to apply and kids just need to wait about a half hour before they eat or drink to ensure the layers cure properly.
Learn More About Avoiding Cavities
We want to help your whole family maintain good oral health and avoid Halloween-related cavities. When you are ready to schedule your appointment and stay cavity-free, then contact Pecan Tree Dental in Grand Prairie, TX at 972-262-5111.
