Controlling Your Sweet Tooth For Halloween

Controlling Your Sweet Tooth for Halloween

Halloween is a special time with a lot of fun traditions. Children and adults alike enjoy dressing up and going trick-or-treating. But, the most enjoyable part of all is eating that candy! The qualified and competent team at Glacier Creek Dental in Fort Collins wants to ensure that your teeth stay healthy after eating sweets this Halloween. If you are experiencing problems or need an annual checkup, call and schedule an appointment today.

Why Candy Is Bad For Your Teeth

Candy contains sugar that reacts with the bacteria in your mouth and causes plaque to form that can harm your teeth’s enamel. When damage occurs to the enamel that coats your teeth, you can experience sensitivity and pain. If the sugars remain in your mouth for long periods of time, cavities can form. A cavity then creates a hole in your tooth that must be professionally filled so further problems don’t occur. If a cavity remains untreated, you may lose the tooth permanently. Cavities can also contribute to gum disease and nerve damage.

Combatting the Damage Candy Causes

Hard, sticky, and sour candies each carry individual risks, but all three work to attack the enamel on your teeth. Enamel erosion is irreversible, so the best way to protect the enamel you have is with regular dental hygiene. Dentists educate on the importance of brushing and flossing. However, Halloween indulgences require more dedication to your dental health routine. The best defense is to brush and floss each time you enjoy a candy-eating session to diminish your chances of cavities and loss of enamel.

Protection When Brushing Isn’t Possible

Brushing and flossing are not always possible after eating sweet treats, but there are techniques to help hold off the plaque-building bacteria and acid until you can get to your toothbrush. Drink lots of water; swishing water around your mouth after eating sweets helps remove stuck-on bits as well as washing sugar residue from your teeth. Chewing sugarless gum may also help remove sticky foods while stimulating the salivary glands to increase saliva production. You can also drink milk, as it neutralizes the acid-forming in your mouth, helping to keep enamel erosion to a minimum.

How Your Dentist Can Help

If you’ve done all you can to protect your teeth after Halloween, it is still a good idea to visit your dentist to ensure everything is going well inside your mouth. Sometimes even the best dental hygiene goes astray, and cavities may form. Routine dental care helps your dentist identify potential issues that may cause problems in the future. Your dental health professional at Glacier Creek Dental can also offer advice on proper brushing and flossing techniques, the best way to treat a cavity, and much more.

A thorough examination, including X-rays, goes a long way in helping your dentist provide the best care for you. The professionals at Glacier Creek Dental want to help you with all your dental concerns. Serving Fort Collins and the surrounding areas, let our family care for your family. Call to schedule an appointment today.