The start of October has us counting down the days to Halloween, and all the fun that it entails. Between the costumes and spooky movies, there is something fun for everyone to enjoy. But we all know one thing: Halloween is really all about the treats and sweets! There are only a few other times during the year where you can shamelessly indulge in all your favourite goodies, and all those seasonal snacks come back for a limited time only.

Though always important, it is especially crucial during Halloween to pay attention to your oral health. If you’re not careful, the constant presence of all those tasty temptations could really be taking a toll on your teeth!

While we all love to indulge, we don’t want your short-term satisfaction to leave you with life-long toothaches. As such, we’ve put together a few tips on how to keep your teeth clean, and healthy, around Halloween.

Limit Your Treats

The average person consumes 3.4 pounds of candy over Halloween. Yes, that much! We know this can sound almost impossible during this festive time, but the most obvious way to take care of your teeth is to simply limit the amount of treats you enjoy. Whatever tricks you may need to hold back from the treats, we suggest you give it a try for the sake of your teeth. You can even put some candy aside to enjoy in the weeks after Halloween. No need to eat it all at once! Remember, everything is better in moderation.

Brush After Snacking

We know it may be difficult to limit your treat intake this month; but that’s ok! You can always offset your treats with a good brushing. Whenever you, or your children, dip into your sweets, make sure you are brushing the treats away afterwards. Brushing regularly is always important, and becomes even more so when your teeth are exposed to a higher amount of sugar and sticky snacks. If you choose to snack, make sure you are pairing your snack time with an extra round of brushing to offset the possibility of cavities

Don’t Forget to Floss

We’ve said it before, and we will say it again: flossing is extremely important. Even if you are pairing your treat time with brushing, some of the sticky candy Halloween is famous for will be tough to simply brush away. Flossing allows you to get in between all the corners of your mouth, and give your teeth a more thorough cleaning. Flossing at least once a day will help to prevent cavities, tooth decay, and all the headaches that come along with fixing your teeth after you have let your oral care slip!

Pay Your Dentist A Visit

After all the sweets, treats, snacks, and goodies during Halloween, your dentist will sure be happy to see you come in! If you happen to have an appointment before Halloween, your dentist will likely advise you of much of the same tips you have read about here, particularly the suggestion for more careful and consistent cleaning. If you have a hard time following any of the tips to keep your teeth clean around Halloween on your own, know that your dentist is always there to get you back on the right track! A regular appointment or cleaning will help you get back to your regular oral health care routine, and perhaps be more careful the next time treats come around.

Dental Care at Dr. Walter Heidary Family Dentistry

At Dr. Walter Heidary Family Dentistry, our goal is to perfect your smile. Halloween can be tough on teeth, and we want to make sure you have all the resources necessary to keep your teeth in their best condition. Our general dentistry appointments encompass a regular check-up and cleaning, vital to maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Be sure to book your post-Halloween appointment to give yourself piece of mind during the season.

Additionally, we think you’re never too young to take good care of your teeth. Your children, after all their Trick or Treating adventures, could also benefit from one of our children’s dentistry appointments sometime after Halloween. Our goal is for your children to have fewer cavities and gum infections, and a children’s dentistry appointment is a good way to start helping us with this goal.

If you had a particularly indulgent Halloween season, you also may benefit from one of our teeth whitening programs. Whether in-office or take-home, our whitening options could help give you a brighter smile, and get rid of some of the dullness your seasonal snacking may have caused.

Halloween is a favourite for adults and children alike, but that doesn’t mean your oral care has to suffer to enjoy the season. Contact us to book your free smile analysis, schedule an appointment, or learn more about our whitening options, and get the smile you have always wanted.