Excessive Halloween Candy Causes Cavities
With Halloween just around the corner, kids are starting to think about what costume they will wear as they venture into the night for tricks and treats. They could be considering all the fun activities they hope to participate in, like pumpkin carving and decorating. They may also be thinking about their favorite Halloween candy they hope to find while trick-or-treating.
However, cavity prevention is usually one of the last things on a kid’s mind during Halloween. And it’s not hard to see why. We all love sugar and kids are no exception. Halloween is just a fun time and Halloween candy makes it even more exciting. City Dental Kids & Braces wants to review some of the worst candies for cavities so parents can be diligent about protecting their kids. This doesn’t mean you should ban your kids from eating these candies or similar ones, it simply means that moderation is key.
Lollipops
Lollipops are one of the worst offenders when it comes to cavities for a simple reason: frequency of exposure is more detrimental to teeth than quantity. Because lollipops are sucked on for a long period of time before they are gone, the frequency of exposure just leaves your teeth open to issues like cavities.
The best policy when it comes to lollipops is to try to have your kids finish them relatively quickly rather than letting them sit in their mouths for long periods of time, and to follow up with brushing.
Gummy Worms
Gummy worms and gummy bears are delicious, don’t get us wrong! However, they are also the most acidic. Candies that are highly acidic quickly break down the enamel that protects your teeth.
When it comes to gummy worms/bears, give your kids a few of them to snack on, but avoid handing them the whole bag. As usual, follow up with brushing and try to avoid giving your kids candy multiple times throughout the day. This is especially true when it comes to these candies.
Sticky Candies
You know those candies that tend to get stuck in or to your teeth like tootsie rolls and jolly ranchers? Watch out for them! Sticky candies can be bad for you in the same way that lollipops are due to the frequency of exposure. Lollipops take a while to consume. Sticky candies leave sugar and acids stuck to your teeth long after they are gone.
Always follow up sticky candies with teeth brushing and try to avoid consuming them multiple times per day.
Is There “Good” Halloween Candy to Eat?
One might assume that there are technically no candies that are good for you, but this is not the case. Dark chocolate is actually healthy for you and has been shown to help fight tooth decay. Be careful how you interpret this fact, as we’re not telling you and your kids to go crazy on dark chocolate! Moderation is still key, but dark chocolate is one of the few candies that has health benefits.
Beyond that, sugarless gum and candies are usually a good choice. Chocolate or other candies that contain nuts are good too so long as your child isn’t allergic. This is because the nuts break up the stickiness of the candy. Nuts are also a healthy choice in most diets, so having them included in the candy you eat just helps add to the healthiness of what you’re consuming.
This Halloween, have a great time with your kids and enjoy the opportunity to enjoy tricks and treats. Just make sure to brush your teeth regularly this month and make healthy choices for yourself and for your kids. As always, we’re here to help if you have any questions.
City Dental Kids & Braces is Here For YOU!
City Dental Kids & Braces wishes you a Happy Halloween! A professional pediatric dentist can really help in instilling good habits in your children. City Dental Kids & Braces is the perfect choice for you and your kids. And best of all, we accept California Medi-Cal insurance. Contact us today to learn more!
City Dental Kids & Braces was established by Dr. Sam Shahoveisi to bring a comfortable and fun experience visiting the dentist to children. City Dental Kids & Braces is the best choice for any and all of your pediatric dental concerns. The professionalism of their doctors will ensure your child has the best possible care before, during, and after their dental procedure.
For questions, or to schedule an appointment, contact us today at (626) 962-1700.
