Northern Virginia Dental Associates

Happy Halloween!

Keep Your Kids Away From Cavities this Halloween

You kids can probably feel their sweet tooth aching for Halloween candy this weekend, but it's important for parents to be vigilant in preventing that sweet tooth craving from becoming a real toothache. 

It's important that your kids have fun this weekend when they go trick or treating, but moderation is key.  Make sure your kids know that they cannot dig into their candy bag before they get home--this is not only to keep an eye on how much candy they have consumed, but it is also much safer for you to go through all the candy before they eat it.

You may also want to know that all candy is not created equal.  According to the the North Carolina Dental Society president, Dr. Bob Hollowell, sticky candy will stick to teeth longer, while chocolate is much easier to wash away.  Also, sour candies may be the worst candy to consume because of their high acid levels. 

Here are some steps to monitor your kids as they enjoy their Halloween treats:

• Eat candy with meals, not as snacks. The saliva flow increases during a meal and can wash away some of the candy before brushing.
• Brush teeth after eating candy.
• Opt for chocolate, instead of hard or sour candy.
• Use a fluoride toothpaste or rinse to help remineralize tooth enamel.

Most importantly, enjoy trick or treating! Just help your kids be proactive about their dental health while consuming the extra sugar.

Protect and Brighten Your Smile

Do you know how to prevent your teeth from being damaged during contact sports? Have you been thinking about teeth whitening? Check out these resources for more information on the importance of mouth guards and the different teeth whitening treatments available to you. Contact Northern Virginia Dental Associates at (703) 451-8332.

• Your oral health is an indication of your overall health. Find out why in this article from the Mayo Clinic.

• Explore the many different systems used for teeth whitening in this informative article from WebMD.com.

• See how the Zoom! system works to whiten teeth on this page from ZoomNow.com.

• Colgate offers some important tips for preventing serious dental injuries while playing sports.

• The American Dental Association provides an informative overview of mouth guards and explains what their advantages are. 

Your Dental Health can Affect Your Heart

Taking care of your oral hygiene may begin with daily brushing and flossing, but it doesn't end there. Do you know how to keep clear of gum disease or that plaque buildup in the mouth can lead to plaque in the heart? For the answers to these and other questions, check out these excellent resources or contact Northern Virginia Dental Associates at (703) 451-8332.

• Read this article from Harvard.edu to understand how plaque in the mouth can lead to plaque in the heart.

• Visit this page from Perio.org to learn how gum disease is linked to heart disease and stroke.

• Read this FAQ from WebMD.com to better understand the dental problems that affect the elderly.

• Learn how dry mouth can cause oral discomfort in older people in this article from About.com.

• The National Cancer Institute explains how oral cancer may manifest and what risk factors are involved.

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