Girls might be made out of sugar and spice and everything nice, but sugar, bacteria, and poor dental care is what cavities are made of! Halloween can be a terrible time for your teeth if you’re not careful. While you might already know to take it easy with your candy consumption during spooky season, you might not be aware of the harm alcohol could cause to your smile.
Keep reading so you know which brews to watch out for and when it’s time to swap the spirited concoctions for a glass of water.
Fancy Cocktails and Starchy Beers
Sugar accelerates bacterial growth, which is why too many sugary cocktails can be just as problematic for your smile as chocolate bars and Pixie Stix. Beer, too, can have this effect, because starch ultimately turns into sugar in your mouth. When you’re calculating how many sugary treats you’ve had for the day, include any festive beverages. If the combined number is quite a lot, it’s probably best to bring a less sweet drink to the party.
Dry Wine and Champagne
A bottle of rosé or sparkling champagne could be the perfect alternative to a sucrose-packed beverage – as long as you take care to stay hydrated. Alcohol, especially the red wine variety, dries out your mouth, which means there’s less saliva to help neutralize damaging acids and bacteria. Your teeth need all the protection they can get during the Halloween season, so be sure to follow one glass of dry spirits with one glass of water.
Potent Potions
You might expect a dark sangria or mysterious orange cocktail to stain your otherwise pearly whites, but actually all alcohol can cause dental tarnishing if you drink too frequently. A more serious issue that comes with habitual alcohol consumption is a significantly greater risk for developing gum disease and oral cancer.
Basically, these types of beverages may be fun to enjoy, particularly around the holidays, but they’re still some potent potions! Remember to keep track of your intake, and drink responsibly.
How Can I Protect My Teeth During Halloween?
Protecting your teeth from Halloween cavities and other dental conditions comes down to limiting your alcohol and candy consumption, as well as keeping up with your oral hygiene. It’s all about mitigating bacteria growth, which can be accomplished with careful dieting choices and consistent cleaning.
Your dentist can help too, though! Scheduling a professional checkup and cleaning soon after the holidays is a great way to make sure your pearly whites are in tip-top shape. Plus, if you overdid it, it’s best to have your dentist catch early signs of tooth decay or gum disease. With an educated tooth expert on your side, Halloween doesn’t have to be such a scary time for your smile!
About the Practice
At Cromer & Carns Dental, we have a dedicated general dentist, periodontist, and endodontist – meaning we’ve pretty much got all of your oral needs covered! Halloween can be a challenging time for your teeth, especially if you like to enjoy a fun drink or two. Our friendly and non-judgmental team would be happy to help you find ways to celebrate while maintaining your oral health. For questions or concerns about your pearly whites this holiday season, call our office at 772-562-5051.