RELEASE — There may not be as much trick or treating going on this October, but cavities are always up for a Halloween party and millions of candies, chocolates and chips are going to be devoured by people of all ages in the days to come.
The Ontario Dental Association (ODA) is offering a friendly reminder that taking care of your mouth is especially important during the pandemic because dental health is a key part of overall health and well-being. Plus, dentists know you’re going to be indulging in all kinds of sugary and salty treats, so here’s the lowdown on how to ward off tooth decay:
Nuts are a healthy snack alternative and eating some cheese before treats can leave a vitamin-rich film on the teeth that helps protect against sugary candies.
Chocolate bars are actually one of the more tooth-friendly treats, as long as it’s plain chocolate so it can dissolve quickly in your mouth.
Chewy sweets like caramels, licorice and even dried fruit may be fun to eat but they can get stuck to and in between your teeth, cause cavities and can even pull out fillings, if you’re not careful!
Salty treats like pretzels, potato and corn chips may seem better than candy but they can also get lodged in your teeth and breakdown into cavity-causing sugars.
Hard candies including jaw breakers, lollipops and mints soak your teeth in sugar as they dissolve and can also crack your teeth or ruin braces if you bite down on them.
Water is the best way to neutralize all the sugars and acids in your mouth, so be sure to swish after treat time. Chewing some sugar-free gum is also great at getting saliva going and washing away excess sugar and debris on your teeth.
The ODA has been Ontario’s primary source for dental information since 1867 and represents over 10,000, or 90%, of dentists in the province. For more dental care tips and COVID-19 updates, including what to expect at your next dental appointment, go to www.oda.ca.
Release: Ontario Dental Association
Photo: Steven Depolo (cc)
