Anthem, Inc. Offers Six Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Mouth During Halloween
Follow these tips to avoid a scary scenario this year
INDIANAPOLIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Halloween is almost here and that usually means people are going to eat
sweet treats, experience good times and have some scary fun – sometimes,
at the expense of their oral health.
To help children and adults maintain a healthy mouth while they
celebrate Halloween, Dr. George Koumaras, national dental director for
Anthem, Inc., offers the following tips:
-
Limit the amount of sticky and/or chewy candies. When attending
Halloween parties and events, it’s very easy to munch on mouthwatering
pieces of sticky or chewy sweets like caramel, toffee and fudge. Just
remember, candies that stick to the teeth take longer to get washed
away by saliva and can increase the risk for tooth decay. In addition,
some of the stickier candies and desserts can loosen or remove
fillings, crowns and other dental work. -
Don’t use the teeth. Children and adults can get so caught up
in the excitement of opening candy wrappers that they decide to use
their teeth to open the packaging. Try to avoid using teeth as
a pair of scissors because this type of wear and tear can cause teeth
to crack, chip and even break! -
Avoid hard candy and other sweets that might stay in the mouth for
a long period of time. The quantity and the amount of time sugary
foods and sweets stay in the mouth plays a major role in tooth decay.
If children or adults must absolutely have candy, the best types to
eat are those that dissolve quickly such as chocolate bars. Since they
dissolve so quickly, the sugar in the candy is in the mouth for a very
short time. If people are trying to avoid super sweet/sugary treats,
they should consider eating a piece of fruit. -
Water things down. When teeth are in constant contact with
candy and beverages that contain sugar, there is an increased risk of
tooth decay. Balance things out by drinking water in between eating
candy and drinking sugary beverages. -
Just “two” it. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends
people brush their teeth two times a day for two minutes. During the
Halloween season, it may be a good idea to brush teeth immediately
after eating candy, especially the candy that is sticky. The simple
habit of regular brushing can make a big difference over time. -
Visit the dentist. Remember to schedule a checkup appointment
with the dentist. It’s important to maintain regular and routine
preventive dental care during Halloween and throughout the year
because a regular dental exam can bring attention to issues that
aren’t visible or painful in the early stages. A dentist can spot
early warning signs in the mouth that may indicate disease elsewhere
in the body1.
Enjoy the fun and scary celebrations this Halloween and remember to keep
Dr. Koumaras’ tips in mind.
Source:
1-American Dental Association: http://www.ada.org/en/about-the-ada/dentists-doctors-of-oral-health
About Anthem, Inc.
Anthem is working to transform health care with trusted and caring
solutions. Our health plan companies deliver quality products and
services that give their members access to the care they need. With
nearly 70 million people served by its affiliated companies, including
more than 38 million enrolled in its family of health plans, Anthem is
one of the nation’s leading health benefits companies. For more
information about Anthem’s family of companies, please visit www.antheminc.com/companies.
Contacts
Anthem, Inc.
Media Contact:
Donna Page,
404-842-8105
donna.page@anthem.com
