We hope all our patients at Vista Dental in Medicine Hat enjoy a tooth-friendly Halloween. It is possible to make choices that are less harmful to dental health without taking all the fun out of the holiday, and since there are lots of sugary treats available during the fall and winter festivities, we thought it would be a good idea to go over some tips.
People are right to be concerned that the sugar in candy increases their risk of tooth decay. But sugar is hardly limited to candy—it is also common in the caffeinated drinks that are popular in the fall, and winter squash is high in starch. But the amount of time sugar remains on teeth has more to do with decay than the amount of sugar in any particular food. The biggest threat to teeth comes from hard candies that people suck on for extended periods and from toffees that get stuck between teeth (and can dislodge fillings).
You can reduce your exposure to sugar by eating candy after meals, when your saliva glands will be more active. This will wash away sugary residue and food debris. If you can’t brush your teeth right away after eating, you can still chew on sugar-free gum. Keep bottles of fluoridated water around to swig from in between drinks from soda or creamy coffees. You can also gravitate toward sugar-free hard candies or candy that can be consumed quickly without getting stuck.
Vista Dental is located at 7 Strachan Bay SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1B 4Y2, Canada. To schedule an appointment, call 403-548-7077 or visit Vista Dental MH.
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