How to Do the Least Damage Oil and water. Drinking and driving. Dentists and Halloween. There are some things that do not mix. But, what if we told you that most dentists go trick-or-treating with their kids and even sneak a treat or two from their kids’ buckets? Lollipops. When it comes to how bad something is for your teeth, frequency and length of exposure is more harmful than quantity. Anything sticky. We’re looking at you, caramel. Anything you can’t eat with braces is probably too sticky for your teeth. Bit O’ Honeys and Tootsie Rolls are among the worst offenders. to Your Teeth This Halloween
Theoretically, it’s better for your teeth to eat five candy bars than
On the other hand, some candies are much easier on your pearly whites:
Dentists know better than anyone else how unrealistic it is to keep people from eating extra sweets during Valentine’s Day, Halloween, and Christmas. But there’s a smart way to indulge in seasonal treats without seriously damaging your teeth. First and foremost, Halloween night might be the most important night of the year to brush your teeth. That should be obvious. Now that we’ve established that, let’s look at two candies that you should partake of sparingly, or just avoid altogether:
one sucker (it’s just not as good for your waistline). Lollipops will rest millimeters from your teeth for 10–20 minutes. Gummy worms. Besides being high in sugar, these candies, and really anything sour and gummy, are among the most
•
Dark chocolate
•
Sugarless gum and other sugarless candies made with stevia or other sugar substitutes
acidic. Highly acidic foods wear down the enamel of your teeth, regardless of how much sugar is involved.
•
Candy bars with nuts
So, enjoy yourself, be deliberate about your candy, and remember that Halloween is game time for your toothbrush.
Laugh Corner
Dr. Stuckey’s Playlist
A lot of people might be surprised to find out I’m a big Blue October fan. At a glance, they don’t seem like my kind of sound, but I really do enjoy their music! And Now for Something Completely Different Blue October isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. An alternative rock band from Houston, Texas, their music isn’t what you’d call “feel-good.” The band formed in 1995, and much of their early sound was inspired by lead singer Justin Furstenfeld’s personal struggles. Faced with drug abuse, heartbreak, and mental health issues, Furstenfeld channeled his pain into songwriting. That raw emotion is painfully evident in his lyrics and performances, which I feel gives songs from Blue October a sense of pure sincerity. You wouldn’t play Blue October for a summer road trip or at a dance party, but as winter looms and the nights grow longer, the sober yet catchy sound is fitting. I’m particularly fond of their early music. My favorite Blue October album is their 2003 “History for Sale,” which featured their first major mainstream success, “Calling You.” I also enjoy “Into the Ocean” and “Hate Me,” both songs that went platinum in 2006, along with the album they appeared on, “Foiled.” I almost had the chance to see them live a few months ago, but it didn’t work out. Hopefully, another opportunity will present itself in the future. Until then, you can bet I’ll spend the month of October listening to Blue October.
419-866-6985 · www.briarfielddentalcare.com · 3
Made with FlippingBook Learn more on our blog