11 May Have a Healthy Halloween!

Happy Halloween! The treats of the season aren’t too far away, so we thought it would be a great time to reinforce the importance of proper oral hygiene.  October is a month not only to fill up on sugary treats; it is also National Dental Hygiene Month.   While candy and your oral health don’t go hand in hand, there are a number of ways to partake in the fun while eliminating a visit to our Laguna Hills dentist to get a cavity filled.

Throw a party

Parties can have health treats as well as a few not-so-healthy treats.  Vegetable and fruit trays are always a favorite and keep children and adults from snacking on foods that aren’t good for their teeth.  Get the neighborhood involved and host a revolving Halloween garage party.  Serve drinks that are sugar-free along with bottles of water.  Water is a great way to rinse sugar off of your teeth when your toothbrush isn’t available.

Be safe

Children of all ages will be out and about tonight so be cautious of them and traffic.  Teach children about the importance of being seen by drivers; making eye contact with the drivers so they know if it is safe to cross the street.  It is also important to practice safe oral hygiene.  Have everyone brush their teeth after eating treats, and floss (of course) to remove sticky particles that can quickly turn into cavities.  It might be a late night for some children, but don’t use that as an excuse to skip brushing and flossing.

Sort your candy

There are so many different types of candy available.  However, the one thing they have in common is their potential to create tooth decay.  Many can also damage your teeth if they are too hard or sticky.  Go through the night’s bounty and separate sweets that are better on your teeth than others.  Gummy candy and taffy or caramel can stick to teeth and be hard to remove.  Hard candies can break or chip teeth.

Think about how you and your children can best keep your mouth healthy and your smile happy.  Our Laguna Hills dentist encourages you to have fun this holiday, just not at the expense of your smile.  Use Halloween and National Dental Hygiene Month to celebrate the importance of a healthy mouth while recognizing that some foods aren’t ideal for your health.   A treat or two every once in a while, along with a good oral hygiene routine, is best for protecting your smile.  For more health tips, check out our Laguna Hills dentist Facebook page or give our office a call if you have questions about your oral health.