Halloween is a season of frights, ghoulish sights, and candy delights. Having a sweet tooth during this time of the year can lead to some spooky stuff happening in your mouth. Over-indulging in sweets could lead to tooth decay, cracked teeth, gum disease, and other oral health issues. That doesn’t mean you have to forgo your favorite treats! You can practice good dental hygiene by following a few of these preventative measures to keep your teeth clean and your smile sweet.
Brush and Floss
It should come as no surprise that “brush and floss every day” is at the top of the list of things you should do to protect your teeth. It’s recommended to brush twice a day and floss at least once to get rid of all the food debris your brushing couldn’t reach. With brushing, technique and time matters. The American Dental Association recommends brushing for two minutes each time to scrub off food stuff and plaque (a sticky film that forms on teeth and spreads bacteria that eats at the protective enamel layer on your teeth). Brushing in circular motions covers the most ground, ensuring you don’t miss parts of your teeth that a more steady side-to-side motion wouldn’t hit.
Drink With a Straw
Do you like drinking sugary, acidic beverages like fruit juice and soda? Try drinking them with a straw. A straw can help protect your teeth by limiting contact with the fluid. The straw won’t completely prevent liquid from washing over your tooth enamel but it will cut down the amount that does. The less acid and sugars that hit your enamel, the less damage they can do over time to wear that protective layer down.
Keep in mind that it’s not just sugary drinks that can have a negative impact on your teeth. Drinking lots of carbonated water like seltzers can eat away at enamel, as can wine. So don’t forget to add a straw to your next can of sparkling water or happy hour glass of red wine.
Rinse Afterward
Sugars and acids can linger long after your snacktime is over. These corrosive elements can stick to the surface of your teeth and stowaway in your mouth. The saliva you generate while eating can also impact your teeth as the saliva creates an acidic by-product which, if left unrinsed, can lead to plaque buildup over time.
That’s why it’s important to give your mouth a quick oral rinse after meals to balance the acid levels in your mouth and wash sugars off your teeth. Drinking a glass of still water achieves a similar effect. Don’t brush your teeth right after eating, though: wait 30-40 minutes before brushing. The reason your enamel tends to be softer after eating because of the acids in your mouth, which makes it easier for your brush to potentially damage your teeth while they’re in this softer state.
Don’t Crunch Hard Candies…
Biting down on a hard lollipop to get to that chewy center can be tempting but you should fight that impulse. Few things can do more immediate damage to your teeth than biting down on hard candies. Hard candies can chip your teeth, crack or loosen dental implants, and/or leave fragments that get stuck between your teeth. It’s best to either eschew the harder stuff entirely or to slowly wear them down as they’re meant to be consumed. No shortcuts: take the scenic route through Flavor Country.
…But Do Crunch Leafy Greens
It’s okay to indulge your sweet tooth but you’ve got to balance out dessert with a healthy assortment of fruits and vegetables. Fruits and veggies are full of vitamins and nutrients that can help fortify and protect your teeth. Look for foods that offer you any of the following:
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin K
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin A
- Phosphorus
- Zinc
We Can Help You With Your Smile
Looking to get a cleaning done or need some oral health screening? Rio Salado College has a dental clinic in Tempe! Our clinic provides community members with quality preventive dental care while also giving our dental students hands-on practical experience.
Learn More About RSC Dental Clinic
Article by Austin Brietta
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Article by Austin Brietta