How To Care For Your Teeth This Halloween

It’s October and many of you are looking forward to Halloween and lots of candy!  For us at Bonaventure Dental Care, October is the month to celebrate all the beautiful smiles around us in honor of National Dental Hygiene month and National Orthodontic Health month.

The American Association of Orthodontics (AAO) say more than 1.6 million adults in North America are receiving orthodontic treatment from AAO orthodontists, so this month is all about raising awareness about the benefits of orthodontic treatment.

Healthy Halloween Advice

That doesn’t mean you can’t eat or go Trick or Treating this Halloween and enjoy the candy on offer. But this is a great opportunity to share with you some handy tips to help protect your braces, aligners or other appliances from damage whilst also protecting your teeth from decay.

1. Avoid sticky, crunchy, or chewy candy! These are the worst type of candies for your teeth as it is harder to remove and stays longer on your teeth. Avoid gum (unless it is sugar free), licorice and hard candy which can stick or damage your dental appliances and cause decay to your teeth.

2. Avoid hard treats such as nuts or popcorn or taco chips. These can damage and even break your braces and teeth.

3. Avoid sour candy. These can be very acidic which can weaken the enamel of your teeth.

4. Avoid sugary drinks like soda, sweet tea or energy and sports drinks. With added sugar they can cause damage to your teeth.

5. It’s not all a list of what you can’t eat however, and Halloween candy is not off-limits! Why not opt instead for soft chocolate, peanut butter cups, marshmallows, or soft cookies for example. Drink plenty of water to help keep your mouth clean.

6. Brushing and flossing is more important during a ‘sugary’ season. It’s ok to have fun and eat treats during special occasions but do remember sugar can accumulate around braces and lead to cavities or gum disease. Be especially vigilant about cleaning after eating sugary treats.

What Can An Orthodontist Help With?

Orthodontists generally aim to improve the appearance of your teeth. We treat existing teeth problems, or we can help identify issues which are developing and take action to help prevent or resolve certain teeth problems. At Bonaventure Dental Care we treat patients of all ages from children to teens to adults.

Orthodontic treatment helps make sure that your teeth function correctly and create healthy, beautiful looking smiles. This is achieved using various options from braces, retainers, or invisible aligners such as Invisalign.

Some patients choose orthodontic treatment for cosmetic reasons whilst others to improve oral function. A good bite will make it easier to eat, chew and speak whilst misaligned teeth, crooked or gappy teeth can be harder to clean or cause enamel wear. Left untreated more serious oral health issues could develop such as tooth decay, tooth loss, gum disease or jaw issues.

You can find out more about the orthodontic treatments on offer via our website or just give us a call on 225 753 0123 to discuss your options. Don’t forget we offer FREE Smile Makeover Consultations.