Dental Hygiene the Key for a Happy Halloween
Dentists in Edmonton are preparing for one of the busiest times of the year, as children and adults indulge in sweet treats to celebrate the Halloween holiday.
Halloween is traditionally associated with dressing up in suitable scary attire and eating a considerable amount of sweets and cakes. At this time of year, dentists across Canada try to encourage parents and children to celebrate Halloween without overindulging and eating weeks’ worth of sugar in a day.
Sugary foods cause the bacteria in the mouth to produce plaque acids, which attack the protective enamel surfaces of the teeth, leaving the teeth vulnerable to decay and acid erosion. Dentists are eager to encourage people to eat sweet foods in moderation and to stick to munching on sweets and cakes at mealtimes, as the teeth can only withstand a limited number of acid attacks per day.
Dr Robert Schroth, assistant professor at the University of Manitoba, said that Halloween provides the perfect opportunity to talk to children about healthy and unhealthy foods and discuss the impact of eating sugary foods on the teeth.
Dentists are not saying that sweets should be banned at Halloween, they are merely urging parents and children to be sensible about the amount of sugary food they consume and the time of day they decide to eat the treats. Brushing around one hour after eating will help to reduce the risk of decay and eating a small piece of cheese or drinking a glass of milk will help to neutralise the acid in the mouth. Dentists are also keen to stress the importance of regular dental visits for children from a very young age.
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