Tips for a Healthy Smile after Halloween

Halloween will soon be upon us, and for many children and teens, it means receiving a stockpile of free candy treats from the neighbors.

Halloween is a fun time for dressing up in costumes and trick-or-treating, but too many treats, especially when they are doled out daily during the weeks that follow Halloween, can be detrimental to your child’s oral health.

Here are tips on how everyone can have a fun but healthy Halloween:

Eat Halloween treats with meals or shortly after meals. We produce more saliva during meals, which helps ward off acids produced by the bacteria in your mouth. It also helps rinse out any bits of food that may remain stuck in your teeth.

Try to avoid hard candy or gum, unless it is sugar-free. If you suck on candies for a long period of time, you have a greater risk of tooth decay.

Avoid candy that sticks to your teeth. It is harder for sticky candy to get washed away by your saliva, which means it remains in contact with your teeth for a longer period of time, leading to an increased risk of tooth decay.

Try to drink more water. Water, just like saliva, will wash away the sugar. Ideally, drink fluoridated tap water, which can help prevent cavities and strengthen your teeth.

Avoid sugary drinks, including soda, sports drinks and flavored water. People who drink a lot of beverages with sugar are more likely to get cavities.

Brush your teeth and floss daily. The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth twice a day. Be sure to replace your toothbrush every three or four months, at least. Flossing between your teeth helps remove food particles and plaque where your toothbrush can’t reach.

Chew sugar-free gum. If you chew sugar-free gum for 20 minutes after meals, you are reducing your chances of getting cavities.

Visit a dentist regularly. A dentist can help prevent dental problems from becoming an even greater concern when caught early enough. If you don’t have dental insurance and haven’t been seen by a dentist for some time, fall is the perfect time to make a dental appointment.

AmeriPlan USA offers affordable discount dental plans that can save your entire family considerable money at your next dental visit. For just $25 a month, along with a $20 one-time registration fee, AmeriPlan’s Dental Plus discount dental plan can save you 20 to 80 percent off your dental procedures when performed by one of the 75,000 dentists who have signed on to the AmeriPlan national network. This includes regular checkups, x-rays and cleanings, as well as major dental work, such as root canals, dental implants and braces.

Your dental discount plan membership can be used as often as needed, unlike most dental insurance plans, which often carry a maximum annual cap.

To ensure your next dental visit will be less spooky, find out how AmeriPlan dental plans can dramatically cut your next dental bill with Ameriplan Dental Plus