Ithaca Dentistry

Out of an abundance of caution for staff and patients, we will be closed Monday January 26th. Be safe, have fun and stay warm!

Halloween is here. This also means you’re likely to be encountering a whole lot more candy (and “please! One more piece!” comments from the little ones).

We don’t want to scare you. But, as your dental provider, we also want to make sure you’re avoiding things like unnecessary cavities. The American Dental Association has provided some great tips to help Halloween be spooky for the right reasons, and not because of dental issues.

Here are some easy ways to avoid the sugar monsters and keep your tiniest monsters happy and healthy:

*Eat your candy with meals, not throughout the day. Snacking throughout the day leaves the sugar and food particles in your mouth all day to build plaque. The saliva produced while you’re eating can help with this.
*What you eat is important.
*Try to avoid things like gummies, caramels, sour candies, and bubble gum. They stick to your teeth. Hard candies stay in your mouth for longer and give bacteria a time to create acid; think instead of things like chocolates or sugar-free gum.
*Sugarless gum after meals, if chewed for 20 minutes, can help prevent tooth decay.
*Ensure you’re brushing and flossing regularly. You should be flossing once a day and brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time.
*Make that dental appointment! Regular dental visits can help prevent future issues.