Halloween is an exciting holiday that brings with it the thrill of dressing up in costumes, listening to scary ghost stories, and eating home baked goodies and lots of other sweet treats. According to the dental professionals at Smile Reef it’s the sugar in those treats that is far more frightening than any ghost or goblin. And here’s why: When your child munches down on candy or sweets, bacteria eats the sugar and any leftover food that is in their mouth before producing acid. This acid is one of the main factors that contribute towards the formation of cavities. But there is no need to rain down completely on the kids Halloween parade, its ok for them to eat sweets on Halloween providing they keep up with their Smile Reef daily brushing and flossing regime.
Halloween Candy Dental Health Tips to Help Care for Your Teeth
Donate Halloween Candy to Charity: You might be tempted to keep candy in the house but your teeth will thank you if you limit the amount. Allow your family to pick out a few of their favorite candies and donate the rest. There are several organizations and church groups who send care packages to our troops or under privileged children overseas.
Drink Plenty of Fluoridated Water: Fluoridated water is known to prevent tooth decay. If you prefer your family members to drink bottled water make sure you purchase the kind that contains fluoride.
Maintain a Healthy Diet High in Calcium: A healthy balanced diet that is high in calcium is the foundation for the overall health of your family’s teeth and gums.
Eat Sugar & Sweets After a Meal: The best time for children to eat sugary food including Halloween candy is shortly after eating their meal when they produce more saliva. Saliva helps to cancel out some of the acids that are naturally occurring in the bacteria found in their mouth and also helps to rinse away particles of food
Best & Worst Halloween Candy for Your Teeth
Is Chocolate Bad Your Teeth?: Chocolate is probably the most popular form of candy that is handed out to trick or treaters during Halloween. As it turns out that is a good thing for their teeth. Chocolate washes away much faster than many other types of candy, and dark chocolate in particular contains less sugar than regular milk chocolate making it a much better choice for their pearly whites.
Sticky Gummy Bears Candy is Bad for Teeth: Sticky is never a good sign and gummy candies in particular are some of the worst options when it comes to your child’s dental health. Since the candy is sticky and harder to remove it stays on teeth giving cavity-causing bacteria a chance to work overtime.
Hard Candy Can Damage Teeth: Be especially weary of hard candy on Halloween which can break teeth when chewed. Don’t be lulled into a false sense of security thinking it’s safe if your family members suck on them. If they keep the candy in their mouth for longer periods of time, they are allowing the sugar to wash over their teeth and stick which will allow cavities to form.
What Does Sour Candy Do to Tooth Enamel?: Sour candy, especially the sticky kind that is coated in sugar should always be avoided. Sour candy is especially acidic which can weaken and permanently damage the enamel on your family’s teeth making them especially susceptible to cavities.
Popcorn Balls Can Chip Teeth: If your kids just can’t resist the allure of a popcorn ball, make sure you keep some floss on hand to help remove the kernels that get stuck between their teeth. The kernels are hard, sugary and sticky and the number one cause for chipped teeth during the holiday season.
Pediatric Dentistry Care
If you are interested in learning more about pediatric dentistry in Las Vegas including oral hygiene, preventative care, and correct brushing and flossing techniques contact the knowledgeable dental experts at Smile Reef Pediatric Dentistry today.
