HERE it comes! The season of ghosts, ghouls, witches, and, of course… candy! If you’re savvy about it, there’s no reason for your Halloween fun to come at the expense of your dental health.
Rule 1: A little candy all at once is probably better than candy all day long
When it comes to your oral health, if you must have some candy, a little “candy-binge” is better than grazing on that Halloween loot all day long (or all month long!). Our mouths are always working to restore optimal pH balance and to utilize our saliva to cleanse our smiles. So enjoy your candy once, and then brush and floss.
Rule 2: Keep eating good, healthy meals
Continue eating three nutritious, square meals a day. This has two purposes. First, being full of good food will make you less likely to indulge too much in unhealthy candy. Second, eating a little candy with a meal continues to stimulate saliva production, and helps your mouth clean itself and restore a good balance.
Rule 3: There’s bad candy — and there’s worse candy
Some candies are more harmful than others. The biggest bad candies you need to watch out for are:
• Sour ones, which are loaded with acid.
• Chewy ones that stick on and between your teeth for a long time.
• Hard ones, like suckers, that rest on your teeth for a long periods of time—and can crack or chip teeth.
Chocolate can be a less harmful choice
On the other hand, most chocolates, especially dark chocolates, may be better for your teeth than those listed above. Chocolate dissolves quickly and doesn’t linger as long on your teeth.
Contrary to popular belief, not all dentists hand out toothbrushes and floss at Halloween. Over half say that they give out candy. And of those who give out candy, about 80% of them choose to hand out chocolate over other candies.
Have a great holiday!
We hope that you have a great Halloween. If you have any questions, please give us a call. Check out our Facebook page for more Halloween fun.
Thanks for being a part of our practice family. We appreciate you!
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If you have questions, pls call Dr. Valerie de Leon at (650) 697–9000 or visit our website at www.millbraesmiles.com. She is with Millbrae Smile Center located at 15 El Camino Real, Millbrae 94030. She is a member of American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Academy of Laser Dentistry, ADA, CDA and SMCDS. Please call for a free consultation.
