Halloween’s classic attraction has always been plentiful candy. Whether you’re a fan of taffy, chocolate or other sweet treat, this holiday meets every craving. If you’re concerned about your child’s teeth, however, Halloween can be a fright for oral health. Learn more about the impact of Halloween candy on kids’ teeth so that you can make the proper decisions this season.
Cavity Issues Arise
Although dental decay is a gradual process, Halloween candy can exasperate lingering problems. According to the University of Alabama at Birmingham, sticky candies can create more cavities than chocolate selections. For example, taffy and hard candies remain in the mouth for several minutes. As children suck on these treats, the sugars stay in the mouth long enough to cause potential damage.
For parents, reducing cavity risk involves active intervention. Before the child eats any treats, spread them out on the table. Aside from looking for questionable treats, remove the hard and sticky candies, too. With this strategy, you can reduce cavity occurrences and other tooth damage. For young children, those sticky and hard candies can damage the enamel and lead to baby tooth loss.
Bacteria Finds a New Home
Cavities aren’t the only concern when Halloween arrives. Indeed, bacteria growth is another issue. The human mouth is home to naturally occurring bacteria. For control, the saliva constantly coats the teeth and gums. However, eating a lot of Halloween candy disturbs this delicate balance. Suddenly, the mouth has a consistent level of excess sugars. Bacteria thrive on sugar, which allows them to quickly replicate.
As a result, plaque builds up on the teeth. Although your child might brush and floss daily, the excess sugars can create an oral environment where damage overcomes any self-care. Plaque buildup leads to gum disease and enamel erosion. Because bacteria growth is so gradual, it’s often difficult to see the problem initially. By limiting Halloween candy, you reduce the number of sugars available to the bacteria. In turn, the bacteria cannot replicate and damage the teeth.
Prioritize Your Dental Health
The California Dental Association suggests brushing and flossing immediately after eating any Halloween candy. Subsequently, any sugars in the mouth are quickly removed with fluoride toothpaste. Ideally, allow your child to enjoy a few treats from the Halloween bag before putting them away for the night. Although you may want to keep the candy for later, consider donating it to a good cause. Eating candy every day after Halloween creates a perfect storm of cavities, gum disease and other issues.
Another clever way to enjoy Halloween candy without dental problems is by eating it with a meal. After lunch or dinner, enjoy a favorite piece of candy. You’re already salivating with the meal, which allows the candy’s sugars to move away from the teeth and gums.
Overall, visiting your dentist after Halloween might be a clever way to combat tooth decay. Professionals, such as Sugar Creek Dental, can evaluate your child’s oral health and clean those teeth every 6 months. In the end, enjoying Halloween and caring for your child’s teeth can be harmonious with some careful planning.
Published by: Khy Talara
