Seven Tips for Healthy Teeth through Halloween (and all the other upcoming holidays and celebrations!)

Halloween is around the corner and store shelves are bursting with candy of every size, shape and color. Dr. Rebecca Cornille, Dental Director at VCC, offers tips on maintaining dental health during this sugar-fueled holiday and year-round!

Watch your sugar intake: We all know that candy is loaded with sugar and that sugar fuels the cavity- causing bacteria in our mouths. If you want to indulge, make sure to brush your teeth afterwards.
Limit your exposure to sugar: Consume your sweets once a day versus eating them throughout the day. If you allow yourself three pieces of candy a day, it is better to eat them at one time to limit your exposure to sugar and acids.
Don’t forget to floss! Floss removes those bits of food and plaque that reside between our teeth that our toothbrush just can’t reach. For that reason, flossing is a very important step in good oral hygiene.
Avoid sticky candy: They get stuck in the little pits and grooves of our teeth. Sticky candy can also damage and/or remove fillings or crowns in some cases. It is much more difficult for saliva to dissolve the sugar in sticky candy.
Watch your child’s candy intake: Set limits on how much candy your child can eat each day. Once trick or treating is done, and the candy has been inspected and approved by mom or dad, stash it in a safe place so that you know how much your children are consuming. Make sure they brush their teeth following the fun!
Fluoride mouth rinse: This is a great addition to any oral hygiene regimen, especially in those more prone to decay. Fluoride mouth rinse aids in hardening weakened tooth structure. Brushing, flossing, then rinsing with a fluoride rinse is ideal at bedtime. Don’t eat or drink anything for at least 30 minutes after rinsing.
Consider sugar free gum: Sugar free gum helps neutralize saliva and prevent decay. For children, make sure this is age appropriate. Not all gum is sugar free so make sure to check the package.