On average, kids consume three cups of sugar on Halloween. It’s important to protect your kids’ teeth from Halloween candy. In addition to keeping kids up at night with the “sugar highs,” it’s no surprise that sugar wreaks havoc on kids’ dental health, as bacteria grow and spread where sugar is present.
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry President Dr. Scott Cashion says that it’s important to watch how much sugar your kids eat as well as to brush and floss those tiny teeth daily. A few examples of tricks and tips are below:
Most popular candy in the US?
According to CandyStore.com, Reeses are the favorite candy across the U.S., but how does it fare against the mouth monsters (aka, cavities)? Dark chocolates and sugar-free gum are better for the teeth than gummies, caramel, or sour candy because they are less likely to get stuck in the grooves and crevices of the teeth.
How long should you keep Halloween candy?
Allowing your kids to pick at Halloween candy, otherwise known as “grazing”, promotes sugar sitting on the teeth for a longer period of time. It’s best to let the kids dive into those candy bags for a day or two following Halloween, then donate the rest to a local organization.
Beware of “nutritious” Halloween alternatives.
Nearly 25 percent of parents are buying “nutritious” Halloween candy, according to the U.S. Census – things like dark chocolate, natural fruit chews and granola bars. While dark chocolate is safe to consume, fruit chews and granola bars stick to teeth. Fruit juices and other sugary beverages can also cause tooth decay because they are high in acidity.
Dr. Scott Cashion is President at American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, as well as Associate Professor and Residency Program Direct at University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, Adams School of Dentistry, Division of Pediatric and Public Health.