Halloween candy can haunt your checkups
The dangers unleashed on Halloween can linger long after the last jack-o'-lantern has rotted to mush.
That's because all those fun-size candy goodies gathered trick-or-treating can be rotting your teeth.
Two Butler dentists say candy can really be a menace to dental health unless proper countermeasures are taken.
Instead of stakes and silver bullets, Dr. Bob Todd of Butler Smiles Dental Care, 291 Evans City Road and Dr. Paul Keelan of Keelan Dental, 1022A N. Main St. Extension, recommend brushing and warm water rinses to defeat the menace.
No surprise
“I don't think it's any surprise that no candy is good for you from a dental standpoint,” said Todd. “But plain old chocolate, like Hershey's bars or Hershey Kisses, is probably the least problematic.”
Keelan said some candies are far worse for teeth than others. He singled out sour candies — sour balls, Sour Patch Kids — as the biggest dangers to teeth.
“I typically don't like the sour things. Sour things are acidic, so you get the double whammy,” he said. “It's acidity and sugar in there to feed the bacteria.”
He said it's a tooth-decaying closed circle. Sugar is fed on by bacteria in the mouth, which, in turn, secrete acids that weaken tooth enamel
“When you eat sugar or drink pop, it lowers the pH level in the mouth. It makes enamel chalky and easier for bacteria to penetrate and create cavities,” Keelan said.
The worst
Todd added, “Sticky things are the worst. They stay on teeth and give sugar more opportunity to cause cavities.”
“Adults who have crowns and bridges really need to avoid sticky things like caramels that can dislodge dental work,” said Keelan.
Both dentists recognize the allure of sweets and agree candy can be consumed in the right conditions.
“It's OK to eat candy now and it's better to eat it around meals when you are already eating,” Keelan said.
“If you can't get to a toothbrush, you should rinse your mouth out with water,” he added.
Todd also recommended rinsing your mouth with warm water if you can't brush your teeth after a session with the malted milk balls.
“Swish your mouth with water to get rid of the remnants of the sugar as quickly as you can,” he said.
Todd said, “A binge around Halloween isn't probably going to do all that much.”
“But I think a lot of homes keep a bowl of candy sitting out all year round,” he added.
“If you are constantly chewing gum with sugar or sucking mints or snacking on Reese's Pieces in the car, that constant sugar bath causes more long-term problems than a binge,” Todd said.
No surprise, Halloween can present parents with a variety of health and safety challenges.“It's OK to eat that candy on Halloween but it's important to have a plan,” said American Dental Association dentist Dr. Ana Paula Ferraz-Dougherty.Time It RightEat Halloween candy (and other sugary foods) with meals or shortly after mealtime. Saliva production increases during meals. This helps cancel out acids produced by bacteria in the mouth and rinse away food particles.Choose Candy CarefullyAvoid hard candy and other sweets that stay in the mouth for a long time. Unless it is a sugar-free product, candies that stay in the mouth for a long period of time subject teeth to an increased risk for tooth decay.Avoid Sticky SituationsSticky candies cling to teeth. The stickier candies, like taffy and gummy bears, take longer to get washed away by saliva, increasing the risk for tooth decay.Have a PlanIt's tempting to keep that candy around, but your teeth will thank you if you limit your stash. “Have your family pick their favorites and donate the rest,” Ferraz-Dougherty said. “Look for organizations that help you donate candy to troops overseas, like Operation Gratitude, or see if your dentist has a candy take-back program.”Drink More WaterDrinking fluoridated water can help prevent tooth decay. If choosing bottled water, look for kinds that are fluoridated.Maintain a Healthy DietThe body is like a complex machine. The foods you choose as fuel and how often you “fill up” affect your general health and that of your teeth and gums.Chew Gum with the ADA SealChewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes after meals helps reduce tooth decay, because increased saliva flow helps wash out food and neutralize the acid produced by bacteria.Brush Twice a DayBrush teeth twice a day for two minutes with an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste. Replace toothbrush every three or four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed. A worn toothbrush won't do a good job of cleaning teeth.Clean Between Your TeethFloss once a day. Decay-causing bacteria get between teeth where toothbrush bristles can't reach. Flossing helps remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line.Visit an ADA DentistRegular visits to your ADA-member dentist can help prevent problems from occurring and catch those that do occur early, when they are easy to treat.<i>American Dental Association</i>
