4 Halloween Tips with Your Family Dentist in Enterprise

Halloween was always fun for you as a child, and it’s even more fun now that you’re older. You get so much out of watching your kids dress up and play just like you did. Of course, this time of year also means a lot of candy will be coming your way soon. Here are 4 tips from Dr. Tyler Schaffeld, your family dentist in Enterprise, to help you and your children’s teeth stay healthy during the holiday.

1. Avoid Hard or Sticky Candy

Tooth decay is caused by the sugar left on your teeth being eaten by naturally occurring bacteria. This produces plaque, which actually has an acidic quality and can eventually start eroding your teeth. Foods that are high in sugar such as candy can stimulate this process. One of the best ways to keep your teeth healthy is to be picky and only let you and your children eat candy that can be consumed quickly. Hard candies typically need to sit in the mouth for an extended amount of time, and this exposes your teeth to more sugar, which can eventually lead to them decaying. Particularly sticky candies can leave a film on your teeth that causes sugar to adhere to them, making it harder to wash away or brush off. Try limiting your candy to ones that melt quickly.

2. Put It Away

One of the lasting risks of Halloween comes from candy being left out, allowing your family to snack on it all day. This gives the bacteria on your teeth a consistent supply of sugar. You can help stop this by putting the candy in a hiding spot. This way you are not tempted to eat it all the time, and your kids have to ask to get it.

3. Always Have Candy After a Meal

One the biggest mistakes people make is eating candy when they are hungry. This can easily lead them to overindulge, increasing their exposure to sugar. Eat a hearty and healthy meal with your family before you have any candy so it’s easier to limit your intake. An easy “game” you can play with your children is to award them one piece of candy per serving of vegetables they eat. They’ll often be too full for sweets afterward!

4. Don’t Forget to Brush!

Like any other time of the year, routine brushing and flossing is the best way to prevent tooth decay. This daily regimen cleans off the harmful plaque and keeps your teeth and gums healthy. This is also the perfect time of year to schedule an appointment with your dentist in Enterprise. After Halloween, the holidays usually mean a lot of good food, so the last thing you want to deal with is a dental issue. A routine check-up gives Dr. Schaffeld the chance to clean your teeth and catch any dental issues you may have before they become a problem.

Have Any Questions?

If you’re curious about what else you can do to keep you and your family’s teeth healthy this Halloween, please give us a call today. We’ll be more than happy to tell you anything you need so you can have a happy holiday season.