With Halloween around the corner, we want to help protect smiles of all ages from the onset of tooth decay. Which is why we offer treatment and helpful tips to keep Halloween and holiday cavities away. In today’s blog, your team at Pacific Hills Dental in Omaha, NE, talks about how to help smiles stay cavity-free after Halloween.

Sugar and the Link to Cavities

What makes sugar such a danger or your smile, how does this lead to tooth decay? Well, when we consume candies (and foods and drinks) with a lot of sugar, this leaves behind particles for harmful oral bacteria to consume, which it will. This increases the levels of oral acidity and also coats the teeth in plaque, two developments that can weaken and erode outer enamel so cavities form in teeth of all ages. This could lead to worsening pain and infection with time. But we can help! Our team has a few helpful tips for keeping smiles cavity-free, even following Halloween.

Tips for Protecting Your Smile

How do we protect your smile from Halloween cavities? First, we suggest that once your kids bring home their candy, you help them avoid the temptation to indulge in their sweets. Instead, let them pick a few pieces to eat after a meal each day, when the increased saliva production helps rinse away the sugar particles. A glass of water helps this too! Consider avoiding options that are very chewy and sticky, as these are harder to remove. You could also let them trick or treat, pick some favorite pieces, and trade the rest to you for a small amount of money, a toy, or a family outing.

Another key way to avoid tooth decay is to make sure everyone in our house is brushing and flossing each day! If your house is the one handing out treats in your community, then consider options that do not contain sugar, such as spooky stickers, temporary tattoos, or party favors.

Checkups and Cleanings for All Ages

We can also protect all ages with a routine checkup and cleaning. With this visit, we can examine your smile and take action should we find a cavity in the early stages. In the same visit, we can conduct a cleaning to remove all plaque and tartar to better protect the smile from cavities. If you have any questions about how we help smiles stay cavity-free following Halloween, or if you want to set up a visit for a checkup and cleaning, then contact our team today to learn more and get started.

Learn More About Family Dentistry

We want to help protect little smiles (and grown-up smiles too) with preventive dentistry and more. Call Pacific Hills Dental in Omaha, NE, today at (402)330-2243.