Whether you’re a child or an adult, sometimes there’s nothing better than your favorite sticky or chewy candy. Since June is National Candy Month, we thought we’d share some of the best ways to consume your favorite candies and protect your teeth as much as possible! 1. EAT CANDY IN MODERATION. If you are going to have sticky and chewy candy, eat it with a meal instead of as a midday snack. Because your mouth has already produced more saliva during mealtime, eating candy with a meal helps prevent decay. The saliva fights the acid in your mouth and also helps flush out the sugar. 2. DON’T CONTINUOUSLY EAT STICKY/CHEWY FOODS THROUGHOUT THE DAY. The sustained sugar and acid bath will quickly wear away the enamel on your teeth. Limit your exposure by eating the sticky item in one sitting. This also applies to things like cough drops or throat lozenges. 3. RINSE OR DRINK WATER AFTER YOU’VE EATEN CANDY IF YOU CAN’T FLOSS AFTERWARD. The water will help to balance your mouth’s pH and possibly remove some sticky leftovers. 4. WAIT TO BRUSH! Don’t ever brush your teeth right after you’ve eaten. When you eat, sugar and acid start to make your enamel soft. If you brush right away, you are brushing your enamel right off. In about 30 minutes, though, your saliva will have helped your enamel to remineralize, and it’s safe to brush your teeth. 5. GET TRAVEL FLOSS. Next time you are at the drugstore, grab an extra container of floss to keep in your bag for sticky emergencies. You can even find stylish floss containers for a higher, premium price if you believe that might tempt you to floss more often! Your Dentist’s Candy Checklist A SAFER WAY TO EAT CANDY TO KEEP YOUR TEETH HEALTHY
DIY OR BUY?
The warm summer sun may be enough to beckon your family outdoors, but lawn games will guarantee hours of fun outside. If you’re handy, there are plenty of great lawn games you can make yourself. If not, buy an off-the-shelf alternative and enjoy the easy setup. GIANT JENGA: EASY DIY All you need to build a giant Jenga tower are two-by-fours that are cut to length. If you’re handy with a saw, you can do this at home. If not, ask to have the wood cut at your local lumberyard. Be sure to sand down the edges before stacking the boards to create a classic Jenga tower! For extra fun, pick a few paint colors and paint each board. Visit ABeautifulMess.com/make-this-giant-jenga to see a complete set of instructions. LAWN GAMES FOR FAMILY SUMMER FUN r ?
Buy: Skip the project and buy GoSports Giant Wooden Toppling Tower online, which retails for about $70 and stacks over 5 feet high.
CLASSIC HORSESHOES: INTERMEDIATE DIY Tossing horseshoes is a great way to pass an afternoon. To play, you’ll just need to set up two sand pits in your yard. Get a handful of horseshoes, and you’re ready to go! Many DIY plans are available online, including one from HousefulOfHandmade.com/ultimate-diy-horseshoe-pit. Buy: Check out the kid-friendly rubber horseshoe set from Wayfair.com, which requires no installation, can be used indoors or alongside your outdoor game, and is safe for younger children. CORNHOLE: ADVANCED DIY The humble beanbag may be the most versatile backyard game piece. It’s used in the popular game commonly known as cornhole. To build your own cornhole set, you’ll need a couple of sheets of 1/2-inch-thick plywood along with two-by-fours, some hardware, and a variety of tools including a drill, jigsaw, and sander. Visit DIYPete.com/cornhole-board- plans to get both written and video instructions. Buy: Ready to play ASAP? Cornhole sets are available from many large retailers around summertime, or you can order a customized set featuring your favorite team, family name, or characters from your favorite movies by looking at Etsy.com.
We may be a dental office, but we don’t alienate our candy lovers! We believe in moderation and oral hygiene. And that even applies to sweets. Never hesitate to ask if you have specific questions.
Whether you buy or DIY, remember to have fun and always supervise your children while playing outdoors, especially when it comes to yard games!
2 • WWW.ATOWNDENTAL.COM
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