The spooky season has officially arrived and without the right steps, you could have an elevated risk of tooth decay. This is because throughout Halloween and the holidays to come, kids and adults alike will be consuming more sugary treats than usual. In today’s blog, your Richfield, MN, dentist talks about how Halloween treats could be a recipe for tooth decay.
Sugar, Tooth Decay, and Toothaches
When we eat items or drink beverages with a lot of sugar, this can leave behind particles trapped between the teeth. Harmful oral bacteria make a meal out of these, a process that coats the teeth in layers of plaque and tartar. This buildup could then weaken and erode the protective enamel on the teeth to allow cavities to form. As the decay grows in severity, toothaches could occur, as could sensitivity when you or your child eat or drink. Once a tooth hurts, treatment is crucial to avoid dental infection and more severe discomfort! But we have a few tips for protecting your smiles during the spooky season, and even throughout the holiday season to come!
Tips for Better Oral Health
Regardless of the time of year, moderation can help protect your smile. Don’t overindulge in your favorite sweets. Instead, limit yourself and your children to one or two pieces per day, and try to have them just after dinner. The elevated saliva production helps remove the sugar particles from the teeth, and a glass of water helps too. Make sure everyone is brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, and floss every evening. These actions help control plaque buildup to limit the severity until we can see you for a cleaning.
Parents could also offer kids the opportunity to trade their excess candy to them for some money, a toy, or even a chance to do a fun activity. If you are the one handing our treats in your building or neighborhood, then consider offering options without sugar, such as Halloween party favors, which are fun and can be bought in bulk!
Assistance from Our Team
We have treatments to help protect smiles from Halloween cavities. For example, see us for a checkup and cleaning. With a cleaning, we will completely remove all plaque and tartar from the smile with an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual tool. We can also offer fluoride treatments and even dental sealants to help safeguard little smiles against tooth decay, with sealants staying in place for years to come!
Schedule Your Visit to Avoid Cavities
Better oral hygiene and routine visits could help keep cavities away. To learn more about preventing the onset of tooth decay, call Cedar West Dental in Richfield, MN, today at 612) 861-7188.
