Candy Busters: Saving Your Teeth from Halloween Sugar Cravings

You ain’t afraid of no ghosts, but when Halloween rolls around, you are afraid of developing cavities! Who could blame you, though? It’s hard to resist sugary cravings when the one of the main activities is collecting literal bucketfuls of candy. Even if you’re not the one going from house-to-house hoping to score at least one giant chocolate bar, your own home has probably been well-stocked with the stuff for a while. Monkey-see, monkey-crave.

These tips won’t protect you from mischievous spirits, but they will protect your smile from dental decay. Keep reading for some sugar-busting advice!

Wait Before You Brush

Brushing your teeth twice daily and flossing once per day is the best way to ward off cavity-causing bacteria and sugary accelerants, so this tip might seem strange. However, it’s especially important when consuming acidic treats.

You see, your saliva works hard to wash away bacteria, as well as mitigate the enamel-eroding effects of acid. But it can’t do that effectively if you brush immediately after eating. Give your saliva about 30 minutes to do its thing, and then brush off any excess dental troublemakers with fluoride toothpaste.

Hold Yourself to Child-Like Standards

Enforcing child-like rules on your candy consumption can help limit your sugar intake. Sticking to only eating three pieces of candy per day or only indulging yourself on Friday night, for instance, will directly reduce the amount of sugar in your mouth.

 This can be difficult to do at times, so consider investing in containers with time-sensitive locks or asking friends or family to help keep you accountable. This tip might be a bit old-school, but your teeth will appreciate it!

Redirect Your Craving

Maybe you need something to do with your hands during a movie. Maybe you want a simple delight after a long day. Or maybe you’re simply bored. Whatever the cause of your sugar craving, you can redirect it into a healthier snack or more stimulating activity.

Naturally sweet fruits, a brisk walk, arts and crafts, crunchy veggies – whichever alternative you choose, make sure to select a reliable go-to that you actually like. Otherwise, you’ll likely have a harder time resisting temptation!

Consistent Preventative Care

When you’re concerned about your teeth, who’re you going to call? Your dentist! They can help you with immediate problems like toothaches and existing cavities, of course, but did you know they can also help you prevent dental disasters?

Visiting your dentist for a checkup and cleaning every six months enables them to look for and treat early signs of tooth decay (or other harmful oral conditions). They’ll also take care of the harder-to-remove versions of bacteria: plaque and tartar. With their preventative care assistance and these candy-busting tips, you can survive Halloween without developing dental nightmares!

About the Practice

Our team of candy-busters at Davidson Dental Associates is ready to answer the call for Halloween cavity prevention! Whether you’re due for a checkup and cleaning or would like more advice on keeping your teeth happy and healthy, we’ll address your concerns and help you maintain your oral health. To contact our office, call 202-775-0022.