We can’t believe that Halloween is already here! At Stormberg Orthodontics, our very own Dr. Stormberg feels that it’s best to limit your consumption of candy. Our team enjoys candy just as much as the next person, but knowing what we know about the potentially harmful and negative effects candy can have on teeth, we suggest staying away from candy when possible. This is why we’ve written out some helpful tips on how to limit your consumption of candy. Read on to find out how you can successfully stay away from candy and how you can take better care of your teeth this holiday season.
Limit the Number of Pieces of Candy You Consume by Being Selective
Once you return from your trick-or-treating trip around the neighborhood, if you sit down with your entire bucket of candy in front of you, you risk finishing the entire thing in one sitting! When push comes to shove, you know there are some candies that are not so great tasting. So after you’ve finished trick-or-treating for the night, we suggest you sit down, go through your candy, and toss the ones that are not worth eating. For additional measure, you should also serve yourself a limited number of pieces and put the rest of your candy away. This portion control method ensures that you won’t gorge on candy!
Avoid Sugary Drinks When Eating Candy!
If you’re going to be enjoying some sweet treats, we suggest avoiding sugary beverages and drinking more water instead. Drinking water has been documented as a preventative measure by dentists and orthodontists alike. Research shows that drinking fluoridated water results in significantly fewer cavities. Additionally, it’s also a great added measure against cavities and staining your teeth as it will to rinse and remove the residual sugar left behind in your mouth, in between your teeth, and on the surface of your teeth. Resist the temptation to pair your candy with sugary drinks like sodas, juices, punches, or wine and drink water instead!
Brush Your Teeth After Every Candy Binge
This may seem like an obvious piece of advice, but after you finish eating your candy, brush your teeth! We don’t mean at the end of the day—we mean after each time you eat candy. If you’re already following our advice and eating candy every once in a while, then this will simply be a small extra step towards healthier teeth. Again, it’s important to get rid of the residual sugar that’s left behind after you consume candy. If you brush your teeth, this act will guarantee that less bad bacteria will attack your dental gums and your teeth’s enamel.
