Halloween is a fun holiday that is notorious for candy consumption and cavity development. When you eat candy or sugar and don’t take care to do certain things afterward, you are likely to develop cavities. Cavities are little dark holes that show up on the surface of your teeth that are the beginnings of tooth decay. It is important to avoid cavities because they can lead to problems including infection, tooth pain, and teeth falling out. Continue reading to learn more about how you can avoid cavities after eating a bucket of candy this Halloween.
How To Avoid Cavities After Eating Candy
The first important step to take when eating sweets to avoid cavities is to drink plenty of water. Water can quickly and effectively remove sugar from your teeth. In addition to being able to remove gunk from off of your teeth, water is also simply a healthy thing to be drinking to keep your body in the healthiest possible state.
Eat Candy With Dinner
There is a reason why dessert traditionally follows eating dinner. Because your body has already been ingesting food, your salivary glands are producing the highest amount of saliva as any other part of the day. Your mouth has a much easier time breaking down the sugar when your body is producing more saliva. Similarly to when you drink water, eating food while consuming candy will also help decrease the amount of sugar that sticks to your teeth.
Follow Candy With Eating Something That Will Balance Your Mouth’s pH
Most candies are high in acidity, meaning that when you eat a lot of candy on Halloween night, you might be throwing off your mouth’s natural pH balance. An irregular pH can lead to cavities and further tooth decay. So after you eat a bunch of candy, eating foods with low acidity might be helpful in rebalancing your mouth’s pH. Consider eating whole grains such as quinoa, or cheese, and other dairy products, or some fresh vegetables.
Choose Your Candies Carefully
Certain candies are more harmful to your teeth than others. It is much easier to avoid cavities when you eat certain types of candy. Candies that are sticky are more likely to get stuck in your teeth or on your teeth and lead to cavities. Try to avoid caramels, taffy, and gummy sweets as often as possible. Candies that are chocolate-based are the least likely to be harmful to your teeth because they will melt off easily.
Brush Your Teeth Soon After Eating Candy
The importance of brushing your teeth does not only connect to when you eat candy. Brushing your teeth twice a day is what most dentists suggest. However, after eating a lot of candy, it is important to brush your teeth within thirty to sixty minutes, in order to get the sugar off of your teeth. This is especially important if you ate sticky candies. If you are unable to brush your teeth, try to at least drink a glass of water.
See Your Dentist
Another important part of avoiding cavities and promoting your overall oral health is to see your dentist on a regular basis. Keep up with your appointments and let your dentist know your honest dental routine and the kinds of things that you eat and drink regularly so that they can help you get your teeth in the best shape possible.
Do You Have Cavities That Need To Be Treated?
If you have had issues with cavities recently or in the past, it is important to have access to an experienced dentist. We at Jenson Dental offer high-quality dental services that can help you with your cavities. We can help you improve your oral health in many ways. To get in contact with our talented dental team, reach out to us today.
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