Don’t Play Tricks on Your Teeth This Halloween!
Happy Halloween from our team at Chinook Mall Family Dental Clinic! Who doesn’t love being a kid on Halloween? Trick-or-treating, costume parties, school parades, we all want our kids to have fun on Halloween, but we also want them to be healthy and safe. Too much candy will not only damage children’s teeth, it can have a negative effect on their overall health. Each year, millions is spent on candy in Canada and in October a lot of that candy will end up damaging the teeth of trick-or-treating children. You might be surprised to learn, however, that when it comes to causing cavities, not all candy is created equal.
Sugar has long been identified by oral health experts as a major cause of tooth decay and cavities. Naturally occurring bacteria in the mouth feed on sugar in candy and other foods and turn it into acid. This acid attacks tooth enamel and causes decay.
Chewy candies result in sugar being in contact with teeth for longer periods of time. When children chew sticky candies such as caramels or taffy, candy gets stuck on the surface and in between crevices. The longer the sugar is stuck to the teeth, the more time the bacteria have to feed on the candy and produce acid. The more acid is produced and the longer the amount of time the teeth are exposed to it, the more chance your child has of developing cavities.
Tips for limiting the effects of sugary treats
- Choose candy that can be eaten quickly and easily to limit the amount of time sugar is in contact with the teeth.
- Steer away from sticky candies like gummy fruit snacks, caramels, taffy, popcorn balls and other candies that expose the teeth to sugar for long periods of time.
- Limit consumption of sour candies that may contain acids (such as citric acid) to intensify the sour flavor. These acids can contribute to dental erosion and cavities.
- Encourage children to eat a small amount of candy in one sitting followed by a glass of water or a thorough tooth brushing.
- Encourage children to eat a good hearty meal prior to trick-or-treating, so there will be less temptation to fill up on candy.
- Many dentists are now advising people to give out small toys or healthy snacks at Halloween rather than sweets and snacks which are more frequently associated with Halloween.
Being a father himself, Dr. Charchuk of Chinook Mall Family Dental Clinic knows we as parents must do our part. We must ensure our children brush their teeth for two minutes twice a day and floss once a day. It’s especially crucial to brush before bedtime. Otherwise, sugars will linger on the teeth all night long, increasing their risk of cavities. Parents need to physically check their child’s mouth to see if there are bits of candy stuck on the teeth. It’s imperative to directly supervise brushing for children under 6 because those who are younger often don’t do it thoroughly. Most important is to book in for you and your child’s regular checkups, attention and prevention is key in keeping a beautiful, healthy smile! And speaking of smiles, enjoy these jokes, we hope they make you laugh!
How are VAMPIRES like false teeth? They both come out at night!
Why does a VAMPIRE brush his teeth three times a day? To prevent BAT breath!
What time was the VAMPIRE’S dentist appointment? TOOTH-thirty!
Why did the VAMPIRE get hired as a dentist? He was very CAPE-able!
What did the VAMPIRE say after he visited the dentist? FANGS very much!
What did the dentist say at the end of the MUMMY’S appointment? Let’s wrap this up.
Why did the WITCH drive to her dentist appointment? Her broom was in the shop.
What is a WITCH’S favorite school subject? Spell-ing!
How did the GHOST unlock his front door? He used his SPOO – Key!
Have a wonderful Halloween and call for an appointment, with no tricks!
