Halloween Treats and Your Boise Dental Health

It’s that spooky time of year again for ghosts, ghouls, and cavities! Okay, okay… Maybe not right away, but it’s important to take note that Halloween is one of the most sugary days of the year. Not only that but it’s also just the beginning of the sweet treat season! Over the next couple of months, there will be no shortage of candies, cakes, and cookies over the upcoming holidays. With all that extra sugar, it’s more important than ever to guard against the evils of tooth decay!

Of course, good oral care is important no matter what day of the year it is. As we all know, prolonged exposure to sugary foods can cause cavities, and it happens faster than you think! To get us through Halloween and the holiday season ahead we want to provide you with the following Boise dental tips:

• First and foremost, it’s important to brush and floss your teeth regularly to prevent tooth decay. Rinsing your mouth with water after snacking is another good way to help prevent bacteria and acids from building up and damaging tooth enamel.  
• Keep in mind that not all candy is created equal. Some candies are harder on teeth than others. The longer teeth are exposed to sugars and acids, the more likely decay is to develop. Try to limit hard or sticky candy that stays in the mouth for prolonged periods of time.  
• Encourage your children to drink plenty of water while sampling their treats. Doing so will help wash away sugar, reducing contact with the enamel. Avoid soda or other sugary drinks. Even sports drink and flavored water can be loaded with sugar. 
• Try to eat candy directly after meals. The mouth produces more saliva during and after mealtime which helps to balance out acids and wash away bacteria and particles.  
• Chew gum. Sugar-free gum that its. Chewing sugar-free gum for 20 minutes after meals helps to prevent tooth decay by increasing saliva production.

While it’s not necessary to ban candy and treats altogether, the Boise dental tips above can help prevent new cavities from developing. Remember, daily brushing and flossing along with regular visits to your Boise dentist are the best ways to keep teeth healthy and free of tooth decay. Happy Halloween!