Whether you are heading up Gold Camp Road near Cheyenne Mountain to get a haunted fright, over to UCCS to trick or treat the residence halls, or down to Boo at the Zoo with your family, getting a cavity should not be the cause of your terror this Halloween. While you should always be mindful of sugar consumption no matter what time of year, we have put together some tips to help you keep your teeth healthy during Halloween.
If You Want a Tasty Treat . . .
You have heard this often from dieticians and nutritionists, “do not deprive yourself.” Now, you get to hear this cliche phrase from your dentist. While it is unwise to consume your weight in sugar and ignore your dental health completely, enjoying one night of candy is not going to ruin your dental health for life. If you want a tasty treat, however, here are a do’s and don’ts from our dental providers at South Springs Dental Group:
- DON’T eat hard, gummy, or sticky candies. These types of candy linger on your teeth, allowing bacteria to eat holes in your enamel. It is also harder to brush away the remnants of these candies, leaving the sugar bugs in contact with the surface of your teeth even longer.
- DO eat caramel-filled chocolate. Chocolate is typically not going to be harsh on your teeth. Milk chocolate especially dissolves quickly and rarely stays on your teeth for more than a few seconds.
- DON’T snack frequently on candy over several days. Dentists have recommended that if you decide to consume candy on Halloween, a one-time candy session is better for your teeth than snacking on it over a few days. Snacking gives those sugar bugs more opportunities to cause tooth decay.
- DO eat your candy after a meal. As creatures of habit, we tend to brush our teeth after a big meal, such as dinner. If you pick your one-time candy feast to be right after suppertime, you are more likely to brush away any bacteria that could cause cavities.
- DON’T throw away hard, gummy, or sticky candies. While you shouldn’t be eating these types of candy if you want to keep your teeth healthy this Halloween, we highly recommend donating them. You can find out more information about where to donate candy here.
- DO continue brushing your teeth two times each day for two minutes each time as recommended by the American Dental Association.
- DO see a dentist for your routine cleaning and exam at least twice per year.
. . . Be Sure to Holler Trick or Treat!
As your premier dental provider in the southern Colorado Springs area, we would love to care for your dental needs. Our excellent providers take the time to ease any anxieties you may have that aren’t related to your Halloween festivities. New patients can also take advantage of a first exam, cleaning, and set of x-rays for only $59. Please stay safe and Happy Halloween from all of us at South Springs Dental Group!