Helpful Tips For Taking Care Of Your Teeth During Halloween
Halloween is coming up sooner than you think and with Halloween comes candy. Taking care of the teeth during this holiday is important, so be sure to read on and learn more about the following dental care tips, so that you can preserve your dental health this coming Halloween.
1. Time Your Consumption Properly
When you are eating your Halloween candy, it is best to time your consumption so that you are eating your sugary treats in conjunction with your meals. The body's production of saliva increases during meals, which helps to cancel out all of the acid and bacteria that is created when we consume sweets. The added saliva also serves to rinse away food particles that collect inside of the mouth.
2. Select Your Sweets Wisely
There are certain candies that need to be avoided in order to maintain dental health and hard candy is chief among them, as well as any other confectioneries that remain inside of the mouth for a long period of time. The amount of time that the candy spends in your mouth plays a major role when it comes to the level of damage it can do to your oral health. Choose sugar free candies when possible, avoid treats that require a longer chewing or sucking period, and steer clear of the stickier candies.
3. Brush Twice a Day
While you should definitely be brushing twice a day already anyway, it is especially important to do so during the Halloween season, when your dental health is constantly under siege. Each brushing session should be at least two minutes long and you'll need to use toothpaste that has been approved by the Canadian Dental Association. If your toothbrush has not been replaced within the past three to four months, be sure to purchase a new one. If the bristles are frayed, this is a sure sign that it is time for a replacement.
4. Don't Forget To Floss
Most of us are good at remembering to brush our teeth on a regular basis, but what about those of us who continuously forget to floss? In addition to brushing twice a day, you'll also want to make sure that you are flossing at least once every 24 hours. Bacteria that causes decay makes its way into corners of the mouth that your brush simply cannot reach, so don't rely on brushing alone to keep your mouth safe this Halloween.
5. Avoid Sugary Drinks
If you are already eating a great deal of candy, the last thing you need to do is add a multitude of sugary beverages to your diet. This includes sports drinks, energy drinks, flavored waters and sodas. Beverages like these expedite the process of tooth decay and should not mixed with candy under any circumstances.
