If Halloween is all about the candy (come on, admit it..), then the day after Halloween is usually all about fighting the bulge that results from raiding your kids’ trick-or-treat bags. But one important thing that gets lost in the shuffle is dental health. What happens to your teeth when they are blasted with sugar in unnatural quantities?
“Trick-or-Treating is fun, but that much sugar can be scary for your teeth…” says Dr. Pankaj Singh, founder and CEO of Arch Dental Associates. Here are his five tooth friendly tips for enjoying your Halloween treats:
1. Choose candy that melts quickly and can be eaten easily.
2. Drink a glassof water after eating candy to wash away the sugar and neutralize the acid.
3. Avoid grazing on candy; it increases the time sugars are in contact with tooth enamel.
4. Have a treat with or after a meal, followed by a thorough tooth-brushing.
5. Time is of the essence when it comes to teeth and sugar. If not removed by brushing or swishing with water, sugar from any source can increase the likelihood of cavities.
Practicing good oral hygiene now and encouraging your children to do the same can make a big difference once the candy stash has disappeared. Now if only it were that easy to take care of the extra calories!
