The Halloween season could lead to tooth decay in the weeks and months to come, but that doesn’t mean we want you to avoid your spooky season fun! Which is why we have tips for protecting teeth from cavities. In today’s blog, your team at Delightful Dental Care in Kansas City, MO, talks about avoiding tooth decay following the Halloween season.
The Causes of Tooth Decay
What causes an issue like tooth decay to occur? Cavities can impact smiles of all ages, especially following the Halloween and upcoming holiday season. That is because this time of year is filled with sugary treats and starch-heavy foods. When we consume them, this leaves behind particles that cling to the teeth. Oral bacteria can then consume the particles, a process that then coats the teeth in a bacterial byproduct known as plaque. This sticky layer hardens with time into tartar, and we can erode the outer enamel to make cavities possible. When cavities form, they grow and spread, which could mean infection or even tooth loss down the road. But we can help you and your family avoid tooth decay during the Halloween season and throughout the year!
Limiting Sugar Consumption
One major way to protect your smile is by limiting how much sugar is in your diet! Try to limit yourselves to a piece or two of Halloween candy a day. Better yet, eat them just after dinner and with a glass of water. The combination of wart and increased saliva production from your meal help better rinse away sugar particles. Parents, you could offer your kids a chance to pick their favorite candies from the outer treat haul and trade the rest to you for cash or a small toy! If you are handing out treats, why not consider options like stickers or party favors, which are fun and contain no harmful sugars!
Brushing and Flossing
One major way to protect smiles of all ages is with proper brushing and flossing! Kids and adults alike should start their day by brushing for two minutes. We suggest a toothbrush with soft bristles and you can use an electric or manual one, whichever you prefer. Both are fine if used properly each day! Toothpaste matters too. Kids three and under should use a rice-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste, and kids over the age of three should use a pea-sized amount. Fluoride helps strengthen outer enamel to prevent tooth decay, which is why we offer fluoride treatments as part of your child’s checkup and cleaning visit.
Flossing is essential too, as this removes what a toothbrush cannot reach and prevents tooth decay from forming between the teeth. All ages should floss before they brush the second time each evening. You can use a pick, floss tape or string, or even a water flosser, whichever you prefer, just as long as you take time to clean between your teeth each evening!
Checkups and Cleanings
Another great way to avoid tooth decay during the Halloween season and the holidays to follow is with a checkup and cleaning. If you and your family have not had one in the past six months, then schedule one now! You can see us and if we find any issues that need treatment, we can administer this before the holidays arrive and your schedule gets too hectic. We can conduct an exam with digital technology for better precision and comfort, and then clean the teeth to remove the plaque and tartar buildup that could threaten smiles. This is helpful for all ages, from kids to adults, so make a visit soon!
Fluoride and Dental Sealants
We also have treatments designed specifically for children to help them avoid tooth decay during the Halloween season and throughout the year too. As part of the checkup and cleaning procedure, we can provide fluoride to strengthen outer enamel. With dental sealants, we coat the rear teeth with a thin acrylic layer so that cavities cannot form in between the hard-to-reach rear teeth, and these can stay in place for years to come!
If you have any questions about helping families avoid cavities during the Halloween season, or about setting up a checkup and cleaning now, then contact our team today to learn more.
Schedule Your Appointment and Avoid Halloween Tooth Decay
To avoid cavities during the Halloween season and the holidays to come, then talk about preventive dentistry with Dr. Diana Tabakh, DDS. To schedule your appointment, please call Delightful Dental Care in Kansas City, MO at (816) 942-7669 today.