Halloween is that one time of year when people celebrate all things freaky, spooky, and frightening, but nobody wants their teeth to stay that way when the holiday is over. Given that the average trick-or-treater comes home with a heaping pillowcase full of chocolate, jawbreakers, taffy, and every other sugary confection under the sun, it’s important for everyone to be wary of protecting their teeth afterward. Here are a few tips to keep your Halloween night from leading to a dental emergency later.
They Are Called Jawbreakers for a Reason
With the massive variety of candies available today, some are harsher on your teeth’s enamel than others. Hard candies like butterscotch disks and jawbreakers can cause chips or cracks if one bites down on them hard enough. Unfortunately, letting them dissolve in your mouth isn’t much safer either, as sucking on these candies can coat your teeth with a viscous sugary residue. Sticky and chewy candies like taffy, caramel, and bubblegum create similar problems because bits can get stuck between the teeth or within their pits and grooves, making it hard for the tongue and saliva to clean them away.
On the other hand, dark chocolate is low in sugar and rich in antioxidants, making it a relatively safe alternative to more dentally dangerous candies. If you hand dark chocolate out to trick-or-treaters, you can be a Halloween hero to dentists everywhere.
Nature’s Candy Is Just Dandy
Crunchy, snappy, crisp, fibrous fruits and veggies can help clean away a lot of sugary residue from your teeth. Apples are known as “nature’s toothbrushes” because their firm yet yielding texture allows them to scrape away plaque and debris without harming the teeth’s enamel. Carrots, cucumbers, and celery have a similar effect if you’re not into sweet fruits. Eating these nutritious and teeth-friendly snacks after consuming candy can help keep your teeth clean and healthy. Drinking plenty of water will also help wash away plaque and bacteria, so have a glass with your candy.
Keep Up with Dental Hygiene
You’re going to need proper oral hygiene more than ever around Halloween. A proper teeth-cleaning routine involves brushing, flossing, and rinsing with antibacterial mouthwash. One should brush at least twice a day while taking care to wait for thirty minutes after eating. Flossing once, ideally before bed, can eliminate plaque and food debris that brushing can miss. Antibacterial mouthwash is harmless to you but poison to the bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease, and it also leaves you with a minty, fresh feeling.
Halloween is supposed to be fun and frightening, but it shouldn’t lead to toothaches or other dental problems down the line. Keeping these tips in mind can save you a trip to the emergency dentist’s office and keep your fangs in tip-top shape for next year.
About the Author
Dr. Thomas J. Novak graduated from the University of Illinois College of Dentistry in 1991 before serving in the U.S. Navy Dental Corps for five years. He serves as a proud member of the American Dental Association, the Texas Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the Seattle Study Club. His office in Weatherford, TX offers general, pediatric, cosmetic, restorative, and emergency dentistry. For more tips on keeping your teeth safe this Halloween, contact his office online or dial (817) 594-7302.