Your Smile Doesn’t Have to Be Scary for Halloween

Halloween is an exciting time as your imagination takes hold to find the perfect costume. Vampire teeth or a zombie smile can be the perfect accessory to any scary outfit, but you wouldn’t want to wear them all the time. Unfortunately, Halloween can leave a lasting mark on your smile, but you don’t have to miss out on the fun. Your cosmetic dentist has a few tips to keep your natural smile looking its best long after the spooky decorations are packed away for the year.

1. Eat Candy After a Meal

If you can’t ignore your sweet tooth, don’t snack on a piece of candy here and there throughout the day. Instead, it’s better to resist the temptation until your next meal. Eating increases your saliva production, which helps cleanse food particles and bacteria from your teeth. Enjoying your dessert before dinner will reduce your smile’s exposure to cavity-causing bacteria caused by sugar.

2. Choose Your Candy Wisely

Not all candy is viewed the same in the eyes of your dentist. Although almost all have sugar, some types can increase your risk of tooth decay. Sticky and chew candies are considered the worst because they cling to the teeth and can be difficult to remove from the molars’ crevasses. Hard candies can be equally damaging, especially if you tend to chew on them. Biting hard foods, including candy, can crack or break a tooth. Sucking on them may lower your risk of a dental emergency; however, it bathes your teeth in sugar. Since it will take longer to eat, your enamel is more likely to erode. It is better to choose chocolate over hard, sticky, or sour candy because it is easier to remove from your teeth.

3. Drink Plenty of Water

Drinking a glass of water is a great way to stay hydrated and keep your smile healthy. Water rinses your mouth, removing food particles and bacteria that can cling to your teeth in between brushing and flossing. It also keeps your mouth moist to limit the reproduction of bacteria that can lead to cavities, gum disease, and bad breath.

4. Don’t Forget to Brush and Floss

While you binge-watch your favorite scary movies or check out haunted houses, don’t forget to brush your teeth at least twice daily. If you’re doing more snacking than usual, you should brush after every meal. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and nonabrasive toothpaste to clean their surfaces for 2 minutes each session. Use high-quality floss to clean between each tooth daily.

Don’t let Halloween haunt your smile. Keep your oral health a priority while enjoying the spooky surprises around every corner.

About Dr. David G. Banda

Dr. Banda earned his dental degree from the University of Michigan before continuing his training at the Misch Implant Institute. As a lifelong learner, he has qualifications in many specialties, including cosmetic dentistry. He can help you achieve the healthy, beautiful smile you deserve. Contact our office today to schedule your consultation.

by: Dr. David Banda at December 14, 2021.