The team here at Beeston Dental Practice and Implant Clinic would like to wish everyone a Happy Halloween!!! Halloween is a great time for kids and even adults to dress up and have a lot of fun although there is a higher chance to consume an increased amount of sugar than we usually would. We encourage you not to deny your children the fun experience of Halloween because sweet treats are part of trick-or-treating. A better idea to to let your kids have fun enjoying the goodies they collect (in moderation) as that’s part of the experience of going to parties or trick-or-treating. Follow some of our top tips below to ensure you maintain a healthy smile this Halloween:

Keep Sweet Treats to Meal Times

Eat Halloween treats (and other sugary foods) with meals or shortly after your mealtimes. Saliva production increases during meals which can help cancel out acids produced by bacteria in your mouth and rinse away food particles.

Stay Away from Sweet Snacks

Snacking can increase your risk of getting dental cavities, and it’s double the trouble if you keep grabbing sugary treats from your Halloween stash!

Choose your Sweet Treats Carefully

Avoid hard sweets and others that stay in your mouth for a long time. Aside from how often you snack, the length of time sugary food is in your mouth plays a role in tooth decay. Unless it is a sugar-free product, sweets that stay in the mouth for a long period of time increase your risk of tooth decay.

Avoid Sticky Situations

Sticky sweets and chocolates can cling to your teeth. The stickier the treat, the longer they take to get washed away by your saliva, increasing the risk for tooth decay.

Have a Limit

It’s tempting to keep lots of sweet treats around, but your teeth will thank you if you limit your stash. Have your family pick their favorites and donate the rest.

 Avoid Fizzy Drinks

This includes fizzy pop, sports/energy drinks and flavored waters. When teeth come in frequent contact with beverages that contain sugar, the risk of tooth decay is increased

Chew Sugar Free Gum

Chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes after meals helps reduce tooth decay, because increased saliva flow helps wash out food and neutralize the acid produced by bacteria.

Brush Twice a Day

Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes with the recommended amount of fluoride toothpaste for your age range. Remember, replace your toothbrush or electric toothbrush head every three  months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed.

Clean Between Your Teeth

Clean in between your teeth once a day using dental floss or inter-dental brushes. Bacteria, plaque and food debris build up between teeth and at your gum line where toothbrush bristles can’t reach.

Visit your Dentist for regular dental check ups

Regular visits to your dentist can help prevent dental problems from occurring such as decay and catch those that do occur early, when they are easy to treat.