Concerned about oral health at this spooky time of year? The best way to learn how to take care of your teeth is by consulting your Red Bank dentist directly. What would a pro do in the face of a deluge of sweet, sugary, sticky, chocolatey treats? Here are just some of the behaviors and choices you can make to keep that smile healthy.
1. Always Carry Water
The simplest and easiest way to give your teeth a bath when you’re overindulging on sweets is with water. When toothbrush and toothpaste are unavailable or you aren’t in a place where cleaning your teeth is an option, swish water around your mouth. While this step isn’t a substitute for thorough cleansing, it does get some of the job done in a pinch and, when it comes to dental care, something is far better than nothing.
2. Make Smart Choices About Sweets
The best and worst candies never really change. Your Red Bank dentist protects her teeth from unexpected candy damage on Halloween by following these rules:
- Stick to chocolate. It melts quickly and doesn’t cling to teeth.
- Avoid all hard candies. This includes lollipops, candy apples, and jawbreakers which sit in the mouth for too long and could be the cause of a broken tooth when bitten.
- Say no to chewy sweets. Taffies, licorice, and gummies stick to the teeth and stay there, often pulling out fillings, crowns, or other restorations.
3. Carry That Invisalign Case
Dentists who sport Invisalign aligners to straighten their teeth always carry their case with them. When they connect with a yummy treat they want to enjoy immediately, out comes the case to store the aligners.
The best practice for Invisalign wearers on Halloween night is to collect all sweets and eat them at one sitting to avoid removing trays more than necessary. This step also limits the need for more and more cleanings, and eating a bunch of candy at one time may give you a stomach ache so you’ll limit the overindulgence.
4. Choose a Smart Costume
Think you’ll have a hard time remembering what you’re supposed to do for the good of your teeth on Halloween? Your dentist is likely to select a costume that reflects this all-important reminder because it is dental-related:
- A giant tooth
- A tube of toothpaste
- A dentist with a big toothbrush
- The Tooth Fairy
Beware of certain costume elements that could damage your oral health, like vampire fangs, fake orthodontics, or grills. These alterations, along with accessories like sparkly tooth charms and stickers, can damage enamel, restorations, veneers, and fillings and create the need for repairs. The goal is to avoid a dental emergency at all costs.
5. Brush and Floss
Your Red Bank dentist observes good oral health care step without fail. Floss your teeth thoroughly, brush them well but not aggressively, and be diligent about oral health care every sweet and tasty Halloween night. Contact Red Bank Dentistry to schedule a teeth cleaning or other dental care.
