Howell Family Dentist Suggests How to Avoid a Cavity Nightmare on Halloween!

Do your kids go trick-or-treating?

Do you set a limit on how much candy your kids are allowed to eat after trick-or-treating?

Does your child get a lot of cavities?

If you’re wondering how to avoid a cavity nightmare on Halloween, you’re not alone! Many parents are concerned about their child's candy eating habits getting out of hand at Halloween. Just because it's one night a year doesn't mean that your child isn't exposed to cavity risks.

To keep cavities away and protect your child’s smile this Halloween, the Canadian Dental Association (CDA) recommends taking these simple steps:

1. Limit the number of times a day your child eats sugary treats or snacks between meals. Serve snacks that will not harm your child’s teeth, such as vegetables, cheese, nuts or seeds.
2. It is best to eat sugary treats at the end of mealtime while there is still plenty of saliva in the mouth. Saliva helps to wash away the sugars and acids.
3. Drinking a glass of water after eating a sugary treat will also help wash away some of the sugars and acids.
4. Avoid soft, sticky treats that get stuck between teeth.
5. Always have your child brush and floss before going to bed.

If you remain strict about following the previous steps with your child then eliminating the risk of developing tooth decay is easy. Halloween is a fun holiday for all! You don’t want a cavity to put a damper on your holiday season by allowing the fear of cavities to overwhelm you.  

Our ultimate goal is to help you improve your dental health through care and education. We’re also dedicated to maintaining a higher level of service for our patients so we can remain the best Howell family dentist. We will answer your questions and discuss your concerns and together develop an individualized plan for optimal dental health.  Call us to schedule an appointment for you and your family!

Bottled or Tap Water? Dr. DiStefano, Your Howell Family Dentist Weighs In!

Are you encouraging your family to make healthier choices?

It’s widely known that diet and exercise are key to a healthy lifestyle.  Part of a healthy diet is adequate hydration. 

Americans drink over 8 billion gallons of bottled water a year.  Not all brands of bottled water contain fluoride, the natural mineral that prevents tooth decay.  Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and re-mineralizes teeth damaged by acid. Fluoride is also in many toothpastes and dental rinses, and can be applied as a varnish or gel by dentists. 

Unfortunately, most bottlers don’t clearly list on their label whether or not their water is fluoridated.  The U.S Food and Drug Administration doesn’t currently require that bottles be labeled with the level of fluoride, unless it’s purposefully added during processing. 

Did you know that it’s estimated that half of all 5 year-olds have visual evidence of tooth decay?  In 2009, an Eastern Virginia Medical School conducted a study and found that almost 70 percent of parents gave their children bottled water to drink. They did so for the convenience, preference for the taste and smell, and fear of tap water contamination. 

Keep in mind, however, that studies have not proven that the increased consumption of bottled water is directly correlated to a rise in tooth decay.  High-sugar diets could in fact be the main culprit, though Dr. Jonathan Shenkin, an American Dental Association spokesman, states that “Fluoridated tap water is now believed by experts to reduce the risk of tooth decay by about 25 percent.”  It’s the single most effective and economical way to prevent tooth decay and it’s widely available through tap water.

If you’re concerned that you and your family are not getting enough fluoride, please call to schedule an appointment with Dr. DiStefano.  He and his staff will discuss your concerns and help you decide if a fluoride treatment is necessary.  Dr. DiStefano and Associates truly care about helping you improve your family’s health. 

Sign up to receive more great tips from Dr. DiStefano including:

• Brushing & Flossing Best Practices
• Tips for Your Child's First Visit to the Dentist
•  What to Do If You Have a Dental Emergency
• Helpful Information About Head, Neck, Jaw and Facial Pain

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