Vienna Dentist – The Halloween Sweet Tooth

dentist viennaOctober is finally here and soon approaching, is Halloween. As much as the dentist Vienna would love for patients to choose healthier options for Halloween treats, it is inevitable that they will choose to eat candy and sweets. So the Dentist Vienna VA has provided you with a few tips on how to keep a healthy smile for you and your family this Halloween.

The Negative Effects of Candy

As delicious as candy can be, it can have a negative effect on teeth. When you eat sweets, it coats your teeth with a clear sticky substance called plaque which contains bacteria. The bacteria in plaque feeds off the sugar you consume and creates acid which attacks your teeth after you eat. Over a period of time, this can result in tooth decay, cavities and even tooth loss.

With a regular trip to your Vienna Dentist, you should be able to prevent tooth decay from progressing. But if cavities do form, be sure to see the Vienna VA dentist right away to prevent any additional damage that can occur to your tooth or to relieve any discomfort you may feel.

Healthy Teeth Tips for Halloween:

Here are a few suggestions for keeping yours and your family’s teeth healthy this Halloween season:

  1. To your basket of candy, mix in some Halloween-themed pencils or stickers. You will be surprised to see how many children choose these items over candy.
  2. When enjoying candy, try to avoid the gooey or chewy ones that can linger on teeth after eating.
  3. After eating candy, try to brush or rinse your mouth with water to remove any leftover sugar in the mouth. The bacteria in the mouth can attack your teeth up to 20 minutes after consumption, which can lead to tooth decay so it is important to remove it as soon as possible.
  4. After the first day of receiving candy, try to get rid of any leftovers. Eating candy once every day can really affect the health of your teeth and increase the amount of attention they need to be cleaned.

Overall, it is important to practice proper oral care. Children usually follow the footsteps of those who set positive healthy habits so be sure to talk with your children about the importance of practicing a twice-a-day brushing and flossing routine. Your Dentist in Vienna can also provide different options to help keep your child’s teeth healthy, such as dental sealants or fluoride rinses. If you have any questions about maintaining a healthy and clean smile for you or your family, be sure to contact your Dentist in Vienna VA for more information.

Vienna Dentist – Stained Teeth

Many people want a smile they can be proud of and one way to achieve a dazzling smile is to have pearly white teeth. However, in order to maintain a bright smile, the Vienna Dentist says you should be mindful of the types of things you consume. Because of certain factors, some foods or beverages can create harsh stains on your teeth that over time can be difficult to remove.

When considering foods that can stain teeth, be sure to look out for dark pigments. Some foods or beverages stain teeth because they have an intense amount of pigmented molecules that the Vienna VA dentist call chromogens. These chromogens latch on to dental enamel and cause your teeth to become discolored.

Another thing to look out for is foods or beverages that are very acidic. Acidic foods and beverages can cause staining by eroding the dental enamel which temporarily softens teeth and makes it easier for chromogens to latch on.

One rule of thumb for determining whether or not what you’re eating will stain your teeth is to determine if it will stain your white table cloth or carpet. Some of the main foods or beverages to consider would include, wine, coffee, cola, berries, sauces (such as soy sauce, curry sauce, or tomato sauce), and sweets. Also another main culprit for staining teeth is smoking or chewing tobacco.

Even if you consume dark pigmented or acidic foods, just know that there are a variety of options to help you achieve a pearly white smile. One option that can help prevent stains on your teeth would be to brush and floss twice-a-day. To brush more effectively, be sure to ask your Dentist Vienna about electric tooth brushes. The electric toothbrush gives you the ability to clean your teeth and to help remove any stains or residue more thoroughly. Also be sure to ask your Dentist Vienna VA about teeth whitening treatments that can be provided in office or at home.

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