This Halloween, you and your family will undoubtedly find yourselves eating a large number of holiday treats. One of the best parts of Halloween is trick-or-treating with your kids, and rifling through the goodies at the end of the night. However, even if the season calls for it, sweets like bubble gum, lollipops, taffy, gummies, and hard candy can be detrimental to your dental health if at-home dental care is not taken seriously.
The first rule of taking care of your teeth at home is to brush twice a day, every day, and floss at least once a day. Another important part of taking care of your teeth is being sure you go for regular dental checkups. However, there are some other tips that can help to curb tooth decay, such as rinsing your mouth with water after a meal, avoiding soda and other sugary foods, and using a fluoride toothpaste.
We already know the tip about avoiding sugar goes out the window during Halloween, and even sometimes around Christmas and Easter, too. To protect your teeth after indulging in candy and other treats, like caramel apples and cupcakes, drink lots of water, and brush your teeth after eating sweet foods.
Best and Worst Candy for Your Teeth
On top of keeping up with at-home dental care, make sure to be picky about the candy you choose to eat this Halloween.
Try to avoid sticky candy, like taffy and gummies. Also, be aware that hard candy allows your teeth to be exposed to sugar for longer periods of time, because it takes a while for the candy to soften enough to chew. Hard candy also creates the risk of chipping or breaking a tooth if you bite down too hard. Finally, sour candy might seem like a good idea because you are more likely to finish it quickly, but the higher acidity can damage your teeth.
The best, and safest candy for your teeth, is chocolate. Chocolate melts in the mouth and does not stick around for long, and can be quite low in sugar. Dark chocolate is even known to offer some serious health benefits.
If you are wondering “why does candy hurt my teeth?” then this could be a sign that you have a cavity, or your teeth are just extremely sensitive to sugar. In these cases, it would be best to avoid candy as much as possible, and schedule an appointment with your dentist for a checkup.
Visit Your Elk Grove Village, IL Dentist
At Schumer Family Dental Care, your family dentist in Elk Grove Village, we understand that even if candy is bad for your teeth, everyone likes to enjoy a lollipop now and again. We offer comprehensive dental care, from cleanings to cosmetic dentistry, so you don’t have to worry about Halloween candy ruining your smile.
If you are looking to have a checkup after you and your family indulge yourselves this Halloween, contact us to schedule an appointment.