As a parent, you may think of Halloween as your worst nightmare simply because you don’t want to have a house full of cavities! Although it’s undoubtedly true that eating too much candy can increase your child’s risk of decay, there are some types of candy that are worse than others. Read on to learn more about how candy can lead to cavities and what you can do to keep your favorite growing smiles healthy.
What Exactly Causes Cavities?
Cavities, also referred to as decay, are caused by the waste released by harmful oral bacteria. However, before bacteria can secrete its acidic waste that erodes enamel, it needs to consume something first. Carbohydrates, like sugar and starches, are bacteria’s favorite feast, and when it’s constantly present within the mouth because your child’s dipping into their Halloween candy stash throughout the day, it keeps them around. Without good oral hygiene habits and a break from eating candy, it can dramatically increase your child’s risk of developing cavities.
Are Certain Types of Halloween Candy Better Than Others?
There are certain types of candy that your child may come home with that are better than others. Although, it’s important to keep in mind that too much candy is never good for anyone’s oral health!
Some of the safer types of candy for your child’s smile are:
- Chocolate since it melts and doesn’t stick to the teeth.
- Sugar-free candy that limits bacteria accumulation within the mouth.
- Candy with nuts that can help keep particles from sticking to the teeth.
On the other hand, there are also some types of candy that can increase the risk of cavities, including:
- Gummy and sticky candy that attaches to the teeth and can’t be naturally rinsed away with saliva.
- Hard candy that is sucked on, exposing your child’s mouth to sugar for longer periods of time.
- Sour candy that is acidic, which can aid bacteria in eroding tooth enamel.
How Can Parents Prevent Cavities This Halloween?
If you don’t want to have to pay for a round of tooth-colored fillings because your children have eaten more than their fair share of Halloween candy this haunting season, consider following these helpful preventive oral health tips:
- Make sure your child brushes their teeth for two minutes, twice a day. Or, if they’re snacking on candy throughout the day, it couldn’t hurt to add an additional brush in there!
- Floss your child’s teeth at the end of every day.
- Take your little one in for a checkup and cleaning with your family dentist in Rochester.
- Limit their access to their Halloween candy stash to keep them from snacking on it throughout the entire day.
Taking these steps can reduce your child’s chances of developing a cavity due to eating too much Halloween candy, and it can save you from needing to pay for a filling or two!
About the Author
Dr. Nicholas Brong has over a decade of experience and is passionate about treating patients of all ages, from the youngest members of families to the oldest! He offers a variety of kid-friendly dental treatments to help keep your favorite growing smile on the right track and prevent cavities from forming, like dental sealants. To learn more and schedule your child’s checkup and cleaning to keep cavities at bay, visit Zumbro Family Dental’s website or call 507-288-1066.
