Halloween in Orange Park is right around the corner now, so people are gearing up for the festivities. Some might be choosing their costumes and decorations, while others are planning their trick-or-treat routes. That said, you’ll want to make oral care a part of this prep work. Otherwise, Halloween sweets could cause your teeth some severe harm. Fortunately enough, though, your local dental practice can help you out. Read on to learn four ways to keep your smile safe for All Hallows’ Eve!
Only Eat Candies After Meals
Even if Halloween candy looks tempting, try to save it for after meals. Doing so will reduce its effects on your teeth.
You see, your mouth produces more saliva during meals. Since this liquid rinses away food particles and sugar, it’ll work more effectively against candy after lunch or dinner. Plus, only eating when a meal is finished limits the amount of sugar that reaches your teeth.
Set a Limit & Give Up the Rest
Consider setting a limit on the number of treats you and your child can keep. After all, you can’t eat what you don’t have! That said, consider some ways to give some of your excess candy away.
For example, donate the sweets to a charitable organization. Some groups are known to accept candy donations on behalf of soldiers overseas.
On the other hand, you could offer to “buy back” your child’s candy or exchange it for a fun toy. One good idea might be to offer a dollar for every 25 pieces or a pound of candy.
Chew Sugar-Free Gum
Ideally, you wouldn’t be eating too many Halloween sweets. If you do, you could always follow up your treats with sugar-free gum.
As it turns out, this gum increases saliva flow and washes away acids and bacteria from candy. Furthermore, it has xylitol, which is effective at stopping tooth decay.
Brush & Floss Before Bed
Though Halloween night is fun, don’t use it to justify poor oral hygiene. As such, remember to brush your teeth twice and floss once on the 31st. That way, you won’t let leftover sweets stick to your teeth overnight.
You ought to protect your oral health during Halloween in Orange Park. Therefore, remember to practice the tips above during this spooky season!
About the Practice
Crovatto & Edwards Family Dentistry is based in Orange Park, FL. As led by Drs. Crovatto and Edwards, our practice emphasizes personalized dental care for its patients. To that end, we provide preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry, not to mention emergency procedures. Our office is even certified to offer orthodontic services like Invisalign clear aligners! For more information or to book an appointment, you can reach us on our website or by phone at (904)-272-0800.