We love seeing families grow up at our practice, and we know that many of you enjoy the Halloween season. It’s a time for sweet treats, spooky tales, and dressing up as your favorite character. While indulging in the occasional piece of chocolate is fine, too much can harm your teeth. That’s why we wanted to review ways you and your whole family can have good oral health throughout this time of year:

  1. Avoid Hard or Chewy Candies

Chewy candies such as Now-n-Laters or Starbursts can stick to your teeth long after you’ve finished them. Other hard candies such as Jawbreakers or Lollipops can also linger on the teeth. So, limit how much you or your child indulge in these types of candies.

  1. Opt for Chocolates

Keep in mind, not all chocolate is beneficial to your teeth. However, if you do want to indulge in sweets, go for dark chocolate. The flavonoids in this type of chocolate are known for fighting gum disease and cavities. 

  1. Drink Plenty of Water

Water should be your beverage of choice throughout the day, especially if you are enjoying sweets. It rinses away bacteria and lingering food particles in your mouth. Staying hydrated will keep your smile in good shape.

  1. Donate Excess Candy

After going trick-or-treating this year, encourage your child to donate their extra candy to a good cause. For example, Treats for Troops will send your candy to service members and veterans. 

  1. Maintain a Healthy Diet

Make sure you and your family enjoy healthy foods as much as sugary ones. Apples, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, carrots, green veggies of any kind, and others are all healthy for your teeth and gums. Incorporate them into your diet.

  1. Keep Up With Regular Oral Care Habits

You don’t want to skip brushing and flossing this time of year. Make sure you and your family brush for at least two minutes twice daily and floss at least once. It’s more important than ever this time of year because of the extra sugar in your diet.

  1. Visit Us for a Dental Checkup

If you haven’t had your second dental checkup this year, make sure you schedule it before the year ends. We’ll thoroughly clean your teeth, removing any tartar or plaque buildup from your tooth enamel. Then we’ll check for any other oral health issues. 

Call our office today at 206-922-4573 to schedule your appointment or schedule online. We’re located on California Avenue Southwest, not far from Fairmount Park.