Halloween is just around the corner! This spooky season is filled with fun family activities, scary movies, mountains of candy, and plenty of reasons to smile. Unfortunately, with all the sweets and treats, this is also a tough time of year for your teeth. With a few simple precautions, you can keep your smile safe from cavities while you indulge in your favorite fall festivities! Use these five easy tips from your Skokie dentist to ensure you enjoy a happy, healthy Halloween.
Tip #1: Choose Your Candy Carefully
Did you know that some candies are safer for your smile than others? Hard, chewy, and sour treats are notorious for weakening enamel and increasing risk of tooth decay. Instead, a few better choices include softer candies, sugarless gum, and dark chocolate.
Tip #2: Drink Plenty of Water
Staying hydrated is important all year long, but it’s especially relevant while you snack on seasonal treats. Drinking plenty of water during or after eating sugary Halloween goodies will wash away lingering residue on your teeth that would otherwise cause cavities. It also encourages saliva production, which is your body’s natural defense against tooth decay.
Tip #3: Treat Yourself to Some Chocolate
Good news chocolate lovers: chocolate is a relatively safe treat for your smile. While you shouldn’t over-indulge, chocolate melts faster and is easier to clean away than other candies, making it less likely to cause cavities. Dark chocolate even contains several beneficial antioxidants that can improve your health.
Tip #4: Keep Using Fluoridated Dental Products
As Halloween gets closer, check to make sure you’re using fluoridated dental products with the ADA Seal of Approval. Mouthwashes and toothpastes with fluoride help strengthen your teeth and fortify them against decay. The Seal of Approval means that the product has undergone rigorous testing and has met the standards of safety and effectiveness set by the American Dental Association.
Tip #5: Don’t Forget to Schedule Your Dental Checkup
With Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year all right around the corner from Halloween, now is a great time to schedule your second dental checkup of the year. Seeing your Skokie dentist twice a year is the best way to spot and stop oral health issues before they have a chance to get bigger and interrupt your holidays. Additionally, these regular visits play a key role in preventing problems from developing in the first place!
Don’t let cavities and toothaches haunt your Halloween. These five simple tips can go a long way in keeping your smile happy and healthy while you enjoy the fall festivities.
About the Practice
At Dental Dynamics, we would much rather help you keep your smile healthy than fix problems once they’ve popped up. That’s why we encourage all our patients to come in twice a year for their routine checkups. With the latest dental technology and reliable preventive treatments, we work hard to protect your smile from issues. However, should you need help getting your oral health back on track, we’re happy to offer a comprehensive menu of services to address any problems you may be facing. To learn more, we can be contacted via our website or at (847) 329-9801.