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.
FIRST OF ALL we’d like to very strongly urge all of our patients in braces to check the forbidden-foods list. We don’t want to see anyone coming in for braces repairs thanks to a candied apple, or chewy taffy. Don’t take these tips as an endorsement to eat foods that can hurt your teeth and braces.
Secondly, whether you’re in braces right now, or you’re finished with treatment, keep these tips in mind as this Halloween season approaches, to keep your teeth happy and healthy.
Rule 1: A Little Candy All At Once Is 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 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.
If You Have A Little Extra Time...
Of course, there are some fun non-candy options for Halloween treats, too. You can check some of them out by clicking here.
Have A Happy Halloween!
Call us at Gorczyca Orthodontics (925) 757-9000 in Antioch, California for a free orthodontic exam. Visit us at www.clubbraces.com to learn more about our orthodontic practice, customer service team, and teeth.
