At Lovett Dental Heights, we often get concerned patients asking how to best deal with Halloween sweets. It isn’t just during Halloween either. This holiday starts two months of holidays that involve lots of food, including sweets. Oral care during these months is more important than any other time of the year. Learning a few tricks can make the difference between starting the new year with healthy teeth or dreading your next dental care appointment. If you’re ready to take care of your teeth, contact Lovett Dental Heights today at 832-767-2210.
Halloween Treats Aren’t All Equal
While there are many healthy snacks out there, Halloween isn’t always the time you think about them or about dental care. There are some treats that will make it easier to keep your teeth healthy without having to feel cheated out of sweetness. Poor choices include things that are sticky or sour. Acidic candy can eat away at tooth enamel, and sticky candy stays on teeth much longer than is healthy. Milk chocolate and pretzels make a better choice, but they are also not ideal. Crunchy snacks can chip tooth enamel, creating a situation where bacteria can find a hold and grow. If you are looking for your best choice for treats, consider dark chocolate or sugar-free gum. The dark chocolate contains enzymes that can help clean teeth and the sugar-free gum causes saliva to form that can wash debris away from vulnerable areas of teeth. If the gum contains xylitol, it is almost impossible for unhealthy bacteria to grow in your mouth. It doesn’t replace brushing but is a good substitute when you can’t get a good tooth cleaning.
Consider a Pre-Halloween Dental Appointment
Scheduling a cleaning can help you keep good oral care in mind throughout the holiday season. We offer many services that will help you feel confident about your smile. These include:
- Teeth cleanings
- Fillings
- Veneers
- Teeth whitening
When you first get your teeth cleaned, do you remember how it feels? Often you feel the need to keep them clean as long as possible because the fresh feeling is so wonderful. In addition, if you should need a cavity filled, you will be more aware of what can damage teeth. None of this is done on a conscious level, but it will make it easier to make better choices about the things you eat. This is also the same feeling you get when you brush and floss. For a brief period when finished, your mind wants to hold onto that fresh, clean feeling.
Watch What You Eat During Hallowwen
Many people find themselves nibbling on snacks throughout the day. This is one of the worst things you can do to your teeth. This constant nibbling allows sugary particles more time to do damage. One thing you can do to help reduce this is to schedule your snacking sessions. Try to schedule a time when you will be able to brush and floss afterward. This helps eliminate worry. Another thing that is easy to do is to sip water with your treat. The water will help wash away the residue so it isn’t lingering around creating havoc. There is also a good chance that by scheduling your indulgence sessions, you will eat less. This is because you will be more aware of what you are doing.
Contact Lovett Dental Heights
At Halloween and throughout the year, the staff at Lovett Dental Heights are here to help you keep your smile bright. We want to help you keep your smile bright and healthy for as long as possible. Don’t forget to schedule teeth cleaning visits during the holiday season. Contact us at 832-767-2210 to set up an appointment and see how we can help you perfect your oral care routine. You will be glad you did.
