Don’t Let Halloween Candy Scare Your Smile!

Halloween is a spooktacular, fun-filled holiday, but if you are not careful, it can be frightful for your smile. Our team at Omnia Dental has put together tips to help you keep your smile safe as you indulge in sweet Halloween treats. We are all about maintaining bright, healthy smiles this Halloween and all year long. 

The Trouble with Halloween Treats

Unfortunately, the sweet Halloween treats you love can be pretty harmful to your smile. Many types of candy are high in sugar, which provides an abundant food source for harmful oral bacteria. As they feast, these cavity-causing bacteria produce acids, which can erode and break down your tooth enamel, leading to cavities.

Tips to Keep Your Smile Bright and Healthy This Halloween

Here are some ways to enjoy the Halloween festivities while keeping your smile healthy:

• Brush and Floss Regularly: We understand that it’s easy to overlook caring for your smile during the holiday festivities. However, it’s incredibly important to brush and floss regularly during this time to minimize the harmful effects of sugary treats on your teeth and gums. 
• Avoid Chewy, Sticky Candies: Aside from a high sugar content, some candies are chewy and sticky. These varieties can be particularly harmful because they linger behind, prolonging the exposure of your teeth to sugar and posing a higher risk to your smile. 
• Choose Healthy Treats: While enjoying an occasional Halloween treat won’t devastate your smile, consider reaching out for healthier alternatives, like fresh fruits or veggies. Plus, when you do reach out for a sweet treat, opt for a healthier variety like dark chocolate, which has less sugar and doesn’t cling to your teeth. 
• Skip the Hard Candies: Biting down on a hard candy can chip or fracture your teeth. The last thing you want this Halloween is a painful dental emergency requiring urgent care. 
• Choose Your Timing: Saliva plays a role in keeping your mouth healthy by washing away debris and neutralizing acids in your mouth. Your salivary glands are the most active during mealtimes, which is why eating candy before or right after a meal can help minimize the damage to your smile. 
• Drink Plenty of Water: Water increases saliva production and helps wash away sugar and food debris, lowering the risk of dental disease. So, if you enjoy a sweet Halloween treat, wash it down with water to safeguard your smile. 

Preventive Dental Care Near Me in Buffalo Grove, IL

Dr. Shtilman and her team at Omnia Dental are happy to offer tips and guidance to ensure there’s nothing scary about your smile this Halloween. We also encourage you to keep up with your twice-yearly dental checkups and cleanings to ensure your smile stays in tip-top shape. Remember, prevention is key to keeping dental disease at bay. We invite you to call 847-495-2292 to schedule an appointment or request one online today!