Halloween is a holiday we all love, but our oral health might feel otherwise. After you consume sweets on Halloween, you should start thinking about your dental health again. The effects of sugary sweets after Halloween may be more damaging than you think. Even though dentists warn that it's not a healthy choice, some people can't resist. If you couldn't resist the sweet temptations this Halloween, don't worry; by following these tips, you can take your oral health in the right direction and ensure your teeth are in good health.
Get an Oral Health Check-up
If you haven't had a dental check-up in the past year, the first step is to schedule an appointment at the Upper Hunt Club Dental Centre in Ottawa. Getting your teeth cleaned and examined by a dental professional is the best way to ensure that your teeth and gums are healthy and free of any dental problems. It's also a good idea to have an oral health check-up after you've indulged in the Halloween candy - just in case you've indulged in a little too many sugary treats. After examining your teeth, your dentist will let you know if you have any oral health problems. If you do, a treatment plan can be determined immediately.
Brush Your Teeth Regularly
Brushing your teeth twice daily is the easiest way to keep your teeth clean and free of disease-causing bacteria. When you eat, bacteria from the food you consume travels to your teeth and gums. Brushing your teeth at least twice daily, or after every meal, will help prevent this bacterium. To remove plaque and prevent cavities, you should brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste for better oral care.
Floss Consistently
While brushing removes plaque from the surface of your teeth, flossing removes plaque from between your teeth that a toothbrush can't reach. Brushing your teeth is essential for good oral hygiene, but it's not enough. Brushing alone is not enough to maintain good oral health. To properly care for your teeth, you should use floss daily. Whether you use a string of traditional dental floss or some other alternative like a water flosser, the most important thing is that you floss regularly. If choose not to floss, you put yourself at a higher risk of oral health issues.
Rinse with Mouthwash
Mouthwash is an excellent way to keep your breath fresh, especially after consuming something sugary. Mouthwash will also remove bacteria and kill any germs from your teeth and your gums. Not only that, but it also helps prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Rinse with mouthwash at least twice a day - once in the morning and once at night time after you are done brushing your teeth. Just like our tip for toothpaste, opt for a mouthwash that contains fluoride. Fluoride is a mineral that protects your teeth from decay and strengthens your tooth enamel. Using fluoride mouthwash is another great way to improve your overall oral hygiene and help prevent cavities.
Avoid Sweets and Sugary Snacks
Halloween was your indulgence day, now it’s time to opt for some not-so-sugary snacks. There are a lot of great alternative to candy and chocolate, we have a great blog post on some Sugar Free Snack Ideas for Your Child's Lunchbox you can read here! Sugary foods can cause an array of dental problems, such as, but not limited to, tooth decay, gingivitis, dry mouth, etc. As a rule of thumb, you should consume less than 25-36 grams of sugar per day. What you eat will significantly impact the health of your teeth, so be careful what you put in your mouth. Give your oral health that well needed sugar cleanse after Halloween. If you have a sweet tooth, opt for natural sugars which can be found in delicious fruits.
It should go without saying that if you want healthy teeth and gums, you should avoid eating sweets and sugary snacks. However, we know that completely eliminating can be hard, so opt for proper oral care, regular dental visits, and choose healthy alternatives when possible. Halloween is a day of sugary sweets and treats, if you’ve indulged that’s completely okay. Just make sure to take good care of your oral health to avoid any dental problems. Schedule a visit at the Upper Hunt Club Dental Centre in Ottawa to check up on the condition of your oral health. Contact us today!
