We wish everyone a happy and healthy Halloween! With the holiday in full swing, we want to make sure everybody enjoys the holiday to the fullest while keeping their pearly whites safe! Here are a few tips to help keep your teeth happy on Halloween and throughout the holidays:
- Xylitol Alternatives
Xylitol is an artificial sweetener that is a great alternative to sugar. Not only does xylitol taste great, but it is also great for your teeth! The European Journal of Pediatric Dentistry (2013) shows in studies that xylitol decreases plaque and bacteria that causes cavities and also makes saliva less acidic. Consider offering trick or-treaters candies sweetened with xylitol. It will be good for their teeth, and we doubt they will even notice the difference!
- Stay away from hard and sticky candies
Hard and sticky candies such as Jolly Ranchers are the worst for your teeth. Since they spend the most time in your mouth, they throw off the natural pH balance for a much longer time than other candies that are consumed quickly. We also see a lot of broken teeth and fillings pulled out from patients chewing down on hard and sticky candies.
- Rinse with water after eating sweets
This is something we can all practice on a daily basis, but holds especially true on Halloween. As mentioned earlier, eating candies throws off the natural pH balance of your mouth. If you brush your teeth before your mouth returns to the normal balance, you can damage your enamel. So enjoy your treats, and be sure to rinse thoroughly with water after eating candy and wait a few minutes before brushing to protect your beautiful teeth!
- Moderation is key
Even if you don’t decide to switch from sugar to xylitol or eat a couple Jolly Ranchers, you will do your teeth a great favor by moderating your intake. Enjoying the holiday by enjoying a few sugary treats is not the end of the world, but remember: Your pancreas and your teeth will both thank you later for not going overboard on the sugar and even worse high fructose corn syrup this Halloween!
References
- Thabuis C1, Cheng CY, Wang X, Pochat M, Han A, Miller L, Wils D, Guerin-Deremaux L. 2013, Effects of maltitol and xylitol chewing-gums on parameters involved in dental caries development. European Journal of Pediatric Dentistry. 14(4):303-8
Brush your teeth after each meal. Proper oral hygiene is important in maintaining healthy, white teeth and that means brushing after every meal, or at least twice a day. Make sure you’re using a soft-bristled toothbrush, as anything more can damage the enamel and gums.
I had no idea that xylitol could be a great alternative to natural sugar. If it is such a great alternative to sugar, then I think that more candy and sweets should be sweetened with that. It would definitely help more people keep their teeth healthy!
Well said, we agree!
I didn’t know that rinsing water could be so beneficial. I can picture myself tric or treating with a water bottle in hand. To be honest I just need to drink more water on a daily basis. I didn’t know that, “if you brush you brush your teeth before your mouth returns to normal balance, you can damage your enamel”. This is definitely something I can think about. Thanks for sharing.