Halloween is around the corner, which for most children means bags of free candy and easy access to all kinds of sweets. It's also a pretty tempting holiday for adults. Here are 5 ways everyone can stay mouth healthy during Halloween and every day.
Stay away from things that stick
Besides how often you snack, the length of time sugary food is in your mouth plays a role in tooth decay. Unless it is a sugar-free product, candies that stay in the mouth for a long period of time subject teeth to an increased risk for tooth decay. The stickier candies, like taffy and gummy bears, also take longer to get washed away by saliva.
Chew gum that has the ADA Seal
Instead of candy, consider gum. Studies show that chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes after meals helps reduce tooth decay, because increased saliva flow helps wash out food and neutralize the acid produced by dental plaque bacteria.
Avoid beverages with added sugar
When teeth come in frequent contact with beverages that contain sugar, the risk of tooth decay is increased. Drinking optimally fluoridated water can help prevent tooth decay. If you choose bottled water, look for kinds that are fluoridated.
Think twice before picking hard candies
Besides how often you snack, the length of time sugary food is in your mouth plays a role in developing cavities. Unless it is a sugar-free product, candies that stay in the mouth for a long period of time subject teeth to an increased risk for tooth decay.
Try and eat candy with meals
We know candy can be hard to resist, especially have all that hard work trick or treating for it! If you can, try and eat Halloween candy and other sugary foods with meals or shortly after mealtime. That's because saliva production increases during meals and helps cancel out acids produced by bacteria in your mouth and helps rinse away food particles.