The Spooky Truth About Halloween from a Pediatric Dentist

Halloween is bad for your teeth and as a pediatric dentist we have ways that you can protect yourself and your kids from getting cavities due to a sugar overload.  Sugar is bad for your teeth in any amount and when the kids are trick-or-treating or the office is throwing a party, it can be difficult to resist the urge to eat those cupcakes or indulge in a candy bar.  This places your teeth and gums at risk for getting an infection.

We understand that it isn’t easy to resist sweets but have several ways that you can encourage your kids to make healthier choices in a way that is so fun they won’t even notice it.

• Create your own haunted house.  Instead of going out trick-or-treating, create your own haunted house and surprise the kids walking by.  Get your own children involved in the planning process so that they can get excited to set everything up and startle the kids that are coming to your door.  While they won't be getting candy themselves, this can actually be far more fun and we would love to hear their stories at our pediatric dentist office. 
• Go out for a good time.  Instead of trick-or-treating, you can dress up in costume and go bowling or even out to dinner.  Ask your kids what they want to do and go to it in costume.  This is a funny way to have a good time and be festive without overloading on sugar. 
• Party all night.  Spend the evening by either hosting a party or going to a friend's party.  Have everyone dress up in costume and play games, give out prizes and dance the night away.  You can have a great time, and the kids will love it.  By throwing a party, you can control the foods that your kids eat and make sure that they don’t fill up on sugar. 
• Swap the candy for a toy.  You can give your kids a toy in trade for their big bag of candy.  It's much more fun to get a new toy and healthier too!  This is a great solution because it allows you to confiscate the candy without the struggle and tears. 

If you decide to go trick-or-treating, make sure that you don’t go on an empty stomach.  As a pediatric dentist, we recommend that you feed your kids a diet that is full of lean protein, veggies, dairy products and nuts.  This is good to eat every day and not just on Halloween.  By feeding your kids a large dinner that also contains complex carbs, they will feel full and not be tempted to snack on candy as they go.  This is important because if they are walking around hungry, they will instantly turn to candy, and this will only make them hungrier as the night goes on.  

After they have eaten a piece of candy, make sure to brush their teeth right away.  It is important to get sugar off of their teeth so that they aren’t at risk for cavities developing.  You can buy a special Halloween toothbrush to make this even more fun.

Visit Steele Dentistry of Stapleton, a Sedation Dentist, for Help with Sensitive Teeth

People living with sensitive teeth should visit a sedation dentist as we can treat you oral health issues while keeping you completely comfortable.  This is important because sensitive teeth can create discomfort while even brushing them and getting teeth cleaned can seem like a chore unless you visit a dentist that knows how to keep you feeling great during the entire appointment.

We offer various levels of sedation so that our patients can feel relaxed and at ease, regardless of whether they are having their teeth cleaned or a major oral procedure.  When you schedule an appointment, let us know that you suffer from sensitive teeth so that we can plan accordingly.  Our dentist will meet with you and discuss options before starting a procedure to ensure that the best possible course of treatment is selected for your particular needs.

There are several reasons that you may experience tooth pain and as a sedation dentist we can treat all of them.  This includes:

• Cracked Teeth.  If your tooth has become cracked while eating a nut, playing sports, or in an accident, the damage could be causing you significant amounts of pain.  We can restore your tooth using cosmetic dentistry solutions including dental veneers and dental crowns. 
• Fillings that have worn away.  If you had a cavity repaired years ago, that filling might wear away over time.  As it does, your teeth can become more sensitive to hot, cold, or brushing. We can replace your filling and do so using a natural colored filling so if metal was used before, you can improve the appearance of your teeth and their physical condition. 
• Cavities.  When you get a cavity, it may feel uncomfortable and become painful over time.  As a sedation dentist, we can treat your cavities so that the infected area is removed and filled in. This way you can eat without pain or discomfort.
• Brushing too hard.  If you use a hard toothbrush and brush vigorously, you could be stripping away your enamel and cause your teeth to hurt.  We recommend switching to a soft toothbrush and brushing using fluoride toothpaste so that your teeth can be strengthened. This will help to reverse some of the damages. 
• Gum disease.  When bacteria settle on and underneath your gums, you can get gum disease.  This will make your gums swell and even bleed.  It will also make your gums and teeth sensitive overall.  By removing the bacteria, we can help your gums to heal naturally so that the disease won’t spread, and you can feel more comfortable. 
• Lack of enamel.  The enamel on your teeth protects the interior of your tooth that is made out of dentin.  The enamel can wear away through the process of demineralization and as it does, the dentin is exposed along with the nerve endings inside of it.  We can perform a bonding procedure to seal the dentin and close the pores containing those nerve endings. 

As a sedation dentist, we offer a variety of ways to treat your sensitive teeth while keeping you comfortable.  To learn more, call and schedule an appointment.