Best Candy Options for Halloween Trick or Treating
Halloween is almost upon us, and soon all those little goblins, ghouls, and witches will be lining up at your door with hands outstretched. Most candy, especially those that are chewy and sticky, and those that take long to dissolve in the mouth like hard candies, are very bad for the teeth. They either can get stuck between teeth and coat the teeth with sugar, which harmful bacteria love to feed on, or continually bathe the teeth in acid and sugar, which is equally as damaging. For trick or treating time this All Hallows Eve, we have come up with some examples of better candy choices to give out. Here at Salmon Creek Family Dental, your Vancouver WA dental office of choice, we know that Halloween wouldn’t be the same without treats, so here’s our list of recommendations: Chocolate Since chocolate melts fairly quickly in your mouth, and because it contains calcium which can be good for teeth, it is an excellent choice to hand out. It is best as plain chocolate, without the gooey or chewy centers, which could get lodged in teeth. The smaller bars and boxes that Halloween chocolates often come as also limit the serving size of these treats, which means less in a child’s mouths at a time. Sugar-free Options Sugar-free treats, such as gum or lollipops, can actually stimulate saliva in the little mouths. Saliva is beneficial to the teeth because it can cut down on germs and help prevent tooth decay. Sugar-free gum comes in many flavors and best of all, it usually only contains less than 5 calories per stick. Even the American Dental Association recommends sugar-free gum as good choice for Halloween treats. Powder Based Treats Options like Pixy Stix or Sweet Tarts are full of sugar, that’s true, but they also do dissolve rapidly in the mouth. Sometimes these types are applied directly on the tongue. This means since they don’t stick around, their impact is less then choices like hard candies or those sticky, taffy types. Juice Boxes All natural juice in boxes is great for teeth and may help keep the little ones hydrated on their trick or treat trek. Try to find options that are 100% juice and have no sugar added, as these will be better for teeth. Often children are very thirsty from all that walking around, so some refreshing liquid might be just what they are craving. Non-Candy Treats Though no one wants to be known as the house without candy, there are some pretty cool non-candy treats that you can hand out. Think about supplying mini cans of play dough, bouncy balls, bottles of bubbles, glow sticks, vampire teeth, or temporary tattoos instead of candy this year. Other Tips Another trick for parents is to feed children before they go out trick or treating. That way they will have a full stomach and are less likely to start binging on their haul before they get home. It also best to limit the amount of candy your child consumes at once too. Coming up with plan to only partake in their sweets after a meal, and making sure that they are brushing twice a day, is also recommended. As your dentist in Vancouver, WA, we want you and your children’s teeth to be as healthy as they can. If you have any questions about teeth or oral care, please contact us today!
Lighten Up and Smile
We all know daily stress can cause a myriad of health problems like depression, high blood pressure, skin disorders and even heart-related issues. Even more surprisingly, your stress levels could also be affecting your dental health. Stress related dental problems were known to ancient societies thousands of years ago and the pattern hasn’t changed. Here at Salmon Creek Family Dental, we understand how stress can affect your oral health, and we’re happy to offer advice on how to prevent the worst. Brush the Stress Away Over the last 30 years dentists have successfully decreased tooth decay in Americans by nearly 70 percent through the aid of regular cleanings, fluoride treatments and educational awareness. However, now, findings show that tooth decay may not be caused merely by poor dental care, but by stress itself. When the body is stressed, it increases the secretion of the suprarenal glands, which produce the front-line defenders against bacteria and germs. This over use of the foreign body fighters means they can become lazy when real bacteria is introduced into the body, meaning your body is less likely to ward off infection. Your gums are the first to be affected, showing signs of bleeding and swelling more than those that are not susceptible to stress. As stress levels increase in our bodies, our mood changes constantly causing mood swings and depression. Both can lead to poor decision making when it comes to oral care. Some people may start skipping the important daily dental regemine. Brushing and flossing are key to ultimate oral hygiene, and skipping them, especially during periods of high-stress could be detrimental. Further, when the body is overly stressed the tendency to develop bad-eating habits are heightened. This could include over-snacking or consuming overly sugary foods or drinks. Keep On Flossin’ People suffering from long-term stress are more susceptible to gum disease. Some may notice excessive gum bleeding, redness and/or swelling. Ignoring these issues by not flossing or consulting your dentist leads to further problems like plaque and eventually tooth decay. When plaque gets out of hand and cleanings alone can’t solve the problem, cavities form and the teeth are in danger of rotting and or nerve damage. A Real Grind Perhaps one of the most common dental-related issues associated with daily stress is teeth grinding or clenching. Nearly 40 million Americans suffer from bruxism and studies have shown that the ailment is caused by stress or age. Teeth grinding typically happens while you’re sleeping, but teeth clenching can happen during the day without you even being aware of the condition. Excessive teeth grinding or clenching can lead to TMJ, or the misalignment of the jaw joint which causes popping, difficulty chewing or the inability to open and close the mouth properly. Stress doesn’t have to take over your body. Learning how to relax in your daily life is your first step to healthier living and a healthier mouth. Further, a visit to Salmon Creek Family Dental is the best way to determine if stress is affecting your oral health. We can detect early signs of gum disease, mouth sores, teeth grinding and orafacial pain and also assist you in learning how to deal with stress better and offer you advice and resources. Feel free to contact us here at Salmon Creek Family Dental, your cosmetic dentist in Vancouver, WA, with any concerns or questions you may have about the health of your teeth.