Over the next few months, many of us indulge in more sweets than usual. For those with caries, this treat-heavy season can be challenging. The key to enjoying these months without worsening oral health is to treat any active decay so that it doesn’t progress into something larger, like needing a root canal or an extraction.
If you aren’t dealing with caries, it’s important to understand how your habits during the next few months could cause issues. Starting with eating treats, sugar content as well as the texture or the stickiness of sweets increase your risk of developing caries. And if you aren’t maintaining good oral hygiene, new caries could begin forming. This means proper brushing and flossing after consuming treats is extremely important this time of year. And, don’t forget to rinse your mouth with water right after consuming snacks as it can reduce the acidity in the oral cavity.
You should also be able to recognize the signs of caries, saving you a lot of trouble. Sensitivity to sugar or temperature or dark spots on your teeth are both indicators that it is time to give our office a call. We recommend regular dental check-ups, every six months. However, depending on the caries or periodontal disease risk, frequency might be different for each patient
If you think you may have a caries, it's important to get treatment as soon as possible, even if the symptoms are manageable. It is not an emergency, however treating decay as soon as possible is recommended, as they can grow fast.
We hope you have a fun and safe Halloween this month and if you find yourself needing dental care, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team to schedule an appointment.
