“Treat” season is in full swing beginning with Halloween and on through Christmas; but what does that mean for your child’s oral health? It could mean cavities and loose brackets.
When kids consume sugary drinks and foods, the naturally occurring bacteria in our mouths begin to feed on it and create acids within our oral cavities.
Those acids are known to wear down tooth enamel and make them susceptible to tooth decay and gingivitis.
Because the holiday season is laden with sugary treats, it’s no surprise that kids find themselves in the dental chair come January!
Cavities Aren’t the Only Cause for Concern!
Those with braces should take extra precaution and avoid food and treats that are extremely sticky or chewy.
Those kinds of foods pose a risk of forcing the bracket to come loose from the tooth and could end up setting your treatment time back.
A bracket that has come loose from it’s designated spot in the mouth will not necessarily produce a broken wire, and it doesn’t actually hurt; but the tooth is no longer moving along in the treatment course, and due to the time in which you can be scheduled to have it fixed, the tooth can shift and you it can actually set your treatment time back by a month.
Diligent brushing and flossing is the best course to keep your teeth and oral health in line, but we all understand how busy the holiday season can be so we have a few tips that may help!
- When consuming high-acid foods, be sure to rinse your mouth with water before you brush your teeth to help prevent tooth erosion from the acids.
- Plan to carry a travel-sized toothbrush and paste for handy access.
- When brushing isn’t an optimal solution, remember to rinse your mouth thoroughly with water and try chewing a sugar-free gum. This will help in saliva production which will neutralize acids within your mouth.
No one Wants Cavities for Christmas!
Don’t get us wrong, we love to see our patients! But we enjoy visits that produce an excellent oral health report! Cavities and broken brackets aren’t fun for anyone one, so taking simple steps to avoid such problems is essential in your oral health plan!
Take great care of your teeth and they will take care of you!
For a beautiful smile!
Cater Galante Orthodontic Specialists
