Halloween night is a lot of fun, but as soon as it is over, we’re faced with a problem—candy everywhere! Our Novato family dentists are here to help you make sound decisions and protect your smile post-Halloween. Keep reading to get some quick and simple tips for your family.
Minimize temptation
One of the biggest issues with Halloween candy is that there is so much of it and it is everywhere! With so many sweets around, you may find yourself mindlessly snacking, and eating way more candy than you mean to.
Go through the candy in your house and keep only your favorites; look for donation programs around town for excess sweets. Then, place the candy you keep in an out-of-the-way place, like a high cabinet, so that you’re forced to be mindful about consuming treats.
Plan out your candy consumption
The reason that candy is so harmful for your smile is because oral bacteria love to feed on sugars and refined carbohydrates. Here’s the deal: oral bacteria remain active and feeding for only about 20 to 30 minutes after you finish eating. So, if you make it a point to schedule your treats, and keep indulging to once or twice a day, you’re actually minimizing the amount of time that oral bacteria are active.
Stay hydrated
Water helps you stay healthy in all kinds of ways, but specifically with dental health it clears away accumulated bacteria and dental debris while jump-starting saliva production. Make sure that you are drinking plenty of water throughout the day, and try to get into the habit of rinsing your mouth with water after you snack.
We hope that you have a safe, fun, and trick-free Halloween! Please don’t hesitate to contact our Novato family dentists by phone or through the Contact Us page on our site if you have questions, or you need to schedule a personal consultation!