BEST AND WORST HALLOWEEN CANDIES FOR YOUR TEETH

Whether you are planning to go door-to-door trick or treating, attended a party dressed in a clever, funny or scary costume, or a simple get-together with friends and family to watch scary movies, we have you had a fun and safe holiday!

We also wanted to give you some Halloween tips for the Best and Worst candies that you could receive this year.

Worst:
Chewy/sticky sweets, such as caramels, gummy candies, taffy, and even some dried fruit can be difficult for children and adults to resist, and even more difficult to remove from teeth. They are also a major cause of damage and sometimes removal of dental fillings and crowns.
Sour candies, sour patch kids and other sour candies are highly acidic and can break down tooth enamel quickly. The good news: Saliva slowly helps to restore the natural balance of the acid in the mouth.
Sugary snacks, including candy corn, cookies, and cake, all contain high amounts of sugar, which can cause tooth decay.

Best:
Sugar-free lollipops and hard candies stimulate saliva, which can help prevent dry mouth.
Sugar-free gum can actually prevent cavities as it not only dislodges food particles from between the teeth but also increases saliva—which works to neutralize the acids of the mouth and prevent tooth decay.
Dark chocolate and its antioxidants, according to some studies, can be good for the heart and may even lower blood pressure.

If you are concerned about what types of candies you should consume, contact our Cedarhurst, NY office to schedule an appointment with Dr. Alina Bergan. Call us at 800-223-0801.  You can also schedule online: http://www.alinabergandds.com/appointments/

DOES SMOKING AFFECT ORAL HEALTH?

I think it is safe to say that everyone knows smoking is bad for you. Unfortunately, the truth is its broad-reaching health effects are not all known by everyone. This is especially true of oral health. Smoking can have serious repercussions in this regard. To give you a better idea of how smoking can affect your oral health, Dr. Alina Bergan and our team have listed some issues that can arise. 

Tooth Discoloration and Bad Breath

At the very least, it is fair to say that as a smoker you will often have bad breath. While you may try to cover up your bad breath with gum or mints, tooth discoloration is a whole other story. The chemicals and substances in cigarettes stick to your teeth staining them brown and yellow colors that are increasingly difficult to disguise. If you are wanting whiter teeth, please come into the office for a free consultation with Dr. Alina Bergan, as many people damage their teeth my access use of over the counter whitening products. 

Oral Cancer

Smoking increases your risk of all cancers especially oral cancer. Oral cancer can have steep ramifications for anyone that gets it. Surgery can be required to eliminate the cancer before it spreads to more vital parts of your body. The type of mouth surgery required with oral cancer can leave your face deconstructed in certain areas. This can also affect the ability to chew food and the overall appearance of your face.  This is all due to smoking or use of other tobacco products.

Gum Disease and Loss of Bone

Another effect of smoking is the increased risk of gum disease. Your gums may start to recede, which can eventually lead to the loss of teeth. Smoking can also increase bone loss and density in your jaw which is vital to the health of your mouth. Gum disease and bone loss are two signs that smoking is definitely bad for your mouth.

When it comes to the health of your mouth, the question is not whether smoking affects your health, it's how does it affect your health and to what degree. If for no other reason than because smoking involves your mouth as its entry point, it is safe to say that it can have long-lasting and detrimental consequences on your oral health.

To learn more about smoking and your oral health, contact our Cedarhurst, NY office to schedule an appointment with Dr. Alina Bergan. Call us at 800-223-0801.

You can also schedule online: http://www.alinabergandds.com/appointments/