We want you and your family to enjoy your favorite Halloween treats and your trick or treating fun, but we also want you to avoid issues like tooth decay. With the right steps, you can lower your overall risk during Halloween and the holidays to come. In today’s blog, your Leawood, KS, dentist talks about preventing Halloween-related cavities.
Sugary Treats and Dental Caries
What makes sugary snacks and drinks so harmful for your oral health? When we consume items high in sugar, this leaves behind particles of it in the smile, often trapped between the teeth. Bacteria can consume these particles, breaking them down in a process that creates plaque buildup, a sticky layer that coats the teeth and leads to weakened enamel. When the enamel erodes, this allows the harmful bacteria to reach the sensitive inner tooth structure, leading to tooth decay. As the cavity grows in time, you or your child could develop painful sensitivity when eating or drinking, or a toothache that only grows in severity with time. Treatment is needed to halt discomfort and prevent infection.
Tips for Lowering Your Cavity Risk
How can you enjoy your Halloween treatments without leaving your smile so vulnerable to tooth decay? We encourage you and your kids to limit how many sweets you eat per day. Limit yourselves to only a piece or two just after a meal, so that the elevated saliva production can help cleanse the mouth. Try to follow them with a glass of water to further help remove sugar particles. Be sure everyone is brushing and flossing properly and every day, as this helps remove sugar particles too. Parents could also provide kids the chance to choose the favorite pieces and trade the excess in for a toy, money, or a fun activity, so they have their trick or treating adventure but don’t develop tooth decay. If you are handing our treats to the kids in your area, consider sugar-free alternatives, such as stickers, temporary tattoos, or other Halloween party favors.
Help with Preventive Dentistry
When you see our team for a checkup and cleaning visit, as you should every six months, then our team can conduct a dental cleaning to remove all plaque and tartar from the teeth, limiting the risk of cavities significantly. For kids, we can also offer fluoride treatments and dental sealants to help further safeguard their teeth against cavities. If you have any questions, then contact our team today to learn more and get started!
Schedule a Visit and Enjoy Cavity Relief
Our team wants to offer treatment to strengthen your teeth and avoid the onset of cavities. To learn more about improving your oral health, call Dreem Dentistry in Leawood, KS, today at (913)681-5500.
