Halloween will be here before you know it, and you and your kids will likely be tempted with tons of sugary treats. While we want you to enjoy your spooky fun, we don’t want your smile to develop tooth decay. In today’s blog, your team at Cedar West Dental in Richfield, MN, talks about keeping smiles clear of cavities during Halloween.
The Causes of Tooth Decay
What causes a cavity to form in a tooth? The teeth are protected by an outer enamel, which covers the tooth and safeguards the sensitive inner dentin. But a diet high in sugar leaves behind particles that bacteria will break down and consume, a process that coats the teeth in plaque. As plaque hardens into tartar, this can weaken and erode the outer enamel to create tooth decay. These grow and spread with time, so the tooth could begin to hurt and infection could occur. To avoid toothaches and the risk of infection, you need to take steps to keep clear of cavities during the Halloween season, and we have a few suggestions!
Tips for Protecting Smiles During the Spooky Season
When your kids come home from their trick or treating adventure, try to limit how many pieces of candy they eat each day. Better yet, limit those times to just after dinner, when the combination of increased saliva production (and hopefully of glass of water) help rinse away the sugar particles. Some parents even offer their kids a chance to trade in their excess candy for a toy, a fun outing, or something else so they enjoy a night of trick or treating, but do not risk cavities by overindulging in candy.
If you are handing out treats, consider selecting sugar-free options that are still fun, such as stickers, temporary tattoos, or even spooky party favors, like plastic spider rings or little skeletons and rubber eyeballs.
For all ages, it is also vital to brush and floss daily, which also helps remove sugar and manage plaque and tartar buildup to better protect the enamel and prevent cavities during Halloween.
Checkups and Cleanings
To keep clear of cavities during Halloween and in the months to come, be sure you see us now for a checkup and cleaning. With a checkup, we monitor the smile for trouble and catch issues in the early stages, and the cleaning removes the plaque and tartar from the teeth completely. If you have any questions about keeping clear of cavities during the Halloween season, then contact our team today to learn more and get started on your path to better smiles!
Schedule A Visit for Stopping Tooth Decay
We want to help you avoid tooth decay during the spooky season! To learn more about cavity prevention, call Cedar West Dental in Richfield, MN, today at 612) 861-7188.
