Halloween and other treats!!

Whether you celebrate Halloween or not there are always temptations out there for everyone…
Here are 10 ways to a healthier mouth this Halloween and year-round!

Eat Halloween candy and other sugary foods with meals or shortly after mealtime. Saliva production increases during meals and helps cancel out acids produced by bacteria in your mouth and helps rinse away food particles.

Always avoid hard candy of any type and other sweets that stay in your mouth for a long time; length of time a sugary food product stays in your mouth plays a huge role in tooth decay.

Avoid sticky candies that cling to your teeth. The stickier candies, like taffy and gummy bears, take longer to get washed away by saliva, increasing the risk of tooth decay.

Drink more water….Daily, nothing beats clean clear water

Maintain a healthy diet. Your body is like a complex machine, and the foods you choose are fuel. Be mindful of how often you “fill up” with bad diet choices! This will affect your general health and that of your teeth and gums.

Avoid beverages with added sugars such as soda, sports drinks or flavored waters…Everybody knows they just aren’t good for you.

Avoid or limit your use of Alcohol, and avoid any mouthwash containing alcohol, studies have shown there are links between Alcohol and Oral Cancers.

Brush your teeth for 2 minutes after every meal always

Floss your teeth daily, make it a habit to do it each night before bed. Decay-causing bacteria get between teeth where toothbrush bristles can’t reach, flossing helps remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line.

Replace your toothbrush every three or four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed. A worn toothbrush won’t do a good job of cleaning your teeth.

And don’t forget to visit your ADA-member dentist…. Regular visits to the DaVinci’s Dental Care Team for a cleaning can help prevent problems from occurring, and help catch those that do when they are easier on your pocket book to TREAT!