The spookiest time of year is upon us, and while your thoughts may be focused on costumes, scary movies, and parties – this is a great time to consider the impact of the holiday on your teeth. We love that Halloween brings out the kid in adults and the pretend adult in kids, but if you or your children are planning a Halloween costume accessorized with some ghoulish dental work, consider these tips to avoid an unplanned trip to the emergency dentist. And, as you might expect, no Halloween story by a dentist would be complete without a reminder to go easy on the candy and brush thoroughly before bed!
Tricks:
Vampire Teeth or Fangs
For that “I vant to suck your blood” look, there are a couple of fang options to consider. The most popular are plastic mouthpieces that look like a double mouthguard. They fit over both your upper and lower teeth and are easily removed. While they are difficult to speak with and may not give you the most natural look, they are generally safe.
The other option on the market is a pair of individual “teeth” that adhere to your incisors to look like fangs. They usually come with some sort of glue, but a good rule of thumb is to avoid anything that uses an adhesive. There are real-life horror stories of trick-or-treaters not being able to get the fangs off and causing a dental emergency. These are definitely not for children.
Rotten or Blacked-out teeth
We love creating beautiful smiles, but there are a number of costume ideas enhanced by taking your smile in the opposite direction. To create the look of missing, chipped, or rotten teeth, there are liquid and waxy substances that can be applied directly to the surface of your teeth. These are generally safe, but if you have veneers or other dental work, consult your dentist before application.
Treats:
Candy
What do you do when your little pirate comes home with several pounds of sweet treasure? You know they are going to be excited to dig in. Some like to look at it all, sort it, or even hide it. Believe it or not, some candies are better for your teeth than others.
The sticky and gummy candies are the worst. They take a long time to dissolve and the sugar spends more time in the mouth and on the teeth. They have even been known to pull out loose teeth. You might be surprised to know that chocolate is probably the best bet as far as tasty sweets ad treats go.
Limiting the amount of candy can be tricky, but here are some helpful hints to encourage your little one(s) to share.
- Have an extra pumpkin or sack to bring to a children’s hospital, orphanage, or shelter. Involve your children in dividing their treats and putting them into the extra sack to share with those that aren’t able to Trick or Treat.
- Have a special container and a place in the freezer where they can store their candies for months to come.
- Then there’s the trip to Mom or Dad’s work, where they can come and be the hero of the hour. What office doesn’t love some candy around for those 3 o’clock pick me ups?
Halloween Dental Precautions
Halloween is a time for celebration, but we wouldn’t be doing our dental duty if we didn’t start the season off with a few precautions:
- Always read and abide by warning labels on any costume or accessory.
- Be mindful of a possible choking hazard for little ones, especially with hard or chewy candies, and any parts of their costume that can go in the mouth.
- Consult your dentist before using anything that covers, colors, or adheres to your teeth.
- And of course, don’t forget to brush and floss after you’ve had your fun and enjoyed your treats.
After Halloween is a great time to schedule your semi-annual appointment for a teeth cleaning and exam. You can get a deep clean after enjoying your candy and start the holiday season off with a bright smile. You’ll also want to take advantage of your dental benefits before they expire at the end of the year!
Contact TRU Dentistry Austin today to schedule an appointment with your local South Lamar dentist. Your dental health starts here.
TRU Dentistry Austin wishes everyone a safe, spooky and fun Halloween!
2708 South Lamar Boulevard, Suite 100A, Austin, TX 78704 | (737) 203-8538 | info@trudentistryaustin.com
