Wednesday, October 11, 2006
The Halloween Candy Dilemma for Parents
It’s October and that means Halloween is not far away. In anticipation of that exciting and fun-filled holiday, stores are already displaying stacks of candy. No doubt you and your children are already discussing which costume they will wear this year. But are you also discussing what you are going to do with all those bags of candy they will be bringing home from trick-or-treating—all that sticky, gooey candy—the kind that eats away at teeth?
No one wants to spoil the fun, but how can parents safeguard their children’s teeth and still let their children enjoy the candy? We know that when any food is eaten, the natural bacteria in our mouths produce acid. It is this acid that eats away at the enamel of our teeth and causes tooth decay. It is possible, however, to minimize the effect of all that sugar.
First of all, in the weeks before Halloween, begin to establish some Halloween candy-eating guidelines. For instance, tell your own trick-or-treaters that they can pick out 25 pieces (or less) of the candy they most want. Then discuss giving away the rest or donating it.
Second, help your children pick their treats. Sticky, gooey candy and candy like lollipops and jawbreakers cause the most damage because they stay in the mouth for a long time compared to other candy treats. Plain chocolate bars or chocolate kisses turn out to be the best choices.
Third, eat Halloween candy or any candy, for that matter, immediately after a meal because the acid production from eating has already been activated. Tell your children, they can have one piece of Halloween candy for dessert. Keep in mind that eating candy between meals is not a good idea because of the extra acid it generates in the mouth.
Fourth, right after the meal, children (and adults) should brush their teeth. If this is not possible or practical, then drink some liquids, like water or milk, to wash away the sugars and starches so they don’t remain on the teeth for a long time, causing cavities.
Last of all, keep the candy stash out of sight so no one will be tempted by it. The Academy of General Dentistry reports that our nation consumes more than 7 billion pounds of candy each year and Halloween trick-or-treating contributes to a large percentage of that consumption. If we teach our children to use moderation, to make good choices, and to practice good dental hygiene, then it should be a Happy Halloween.
Dr. Ron Rotem, DDS
Toms River, N.J.
Submitted by Fran Kirschner, Frantasy Enterprises
No one wants to spoil the fun, but how can parents safeguard their children’s teeth and still let their children enjoy the candy? We know that when any food is eaten, the natural bacteria in our mouths produce acid. It is this acid that eats away at the enamel of our teeth and causes tooth decay. It is possible, however, to minimize the effect of all that sugar.
First of all, in the weeks before Halloween, begin to establish some Halloween candy-eating guidelines. For instance, tell your own trick-or-treaters that they can pick out 25 pieces (or less) of the candy they most want. Then discuss giving away the rest or donating it.
Second, help your children pick their treats. Sticky, gooey candy and candy like lollipops and jawbreakers cause the most damage because they stay in the mouth for a long time compared to other candy treats. Plain chocolate bars or chocolate kisses turn out to be the best choices.
Third, eat Halloween candy or any candy, for that matter, immediately after a meal because the acid production from eating has already been activated. Tell your children, they can have one piece of Halloween candy for dessert. Keep in mind that eating candy between meals is not a good idea because of the extra acid it generates in the mouth.
Fourth, right after the meal, children (and adults) should brush their teeth. If this is not possible or practical, then drink some liquids, like water or milk, to wash away the sugars and starches so they don’t remain on the teeth for a long time, causing cavities.
Last of all, keep the candy stash out of sight so no one will be tempted by it. The Academy of General Dentistry reports that our nation consumes more than 7 billion pounds of candy each year and Halloween trick-or-treating contributes to a large percentage of that consumption. If we teach our children to use moderation, to make good choices, and to practice good dental hygiene, then it should be a Happy Halloween.
Dr. Ron Rotem, DDS
Toms River, N.J.
Submitted by Fran Kirschner, Frantasy Enterprises
