Boo! It’s officially spooky season. Your children are probably getting excited for the best time of year—a time for trick or treating, candy, and being whoever they want to be. However, as a parent, you should be aware that this high intake of candy can lead to increased risks of spooky cavities and tooth decay. Thankfully, your emergency dentist in Spring Hill knows the do’s and don’ts of Halloween sweets to keep your loved ones healthy during this season of sugar.
Is There Such a Thing as Good Candy?
Well, not really. But there is candy that’s much better for your kids than others. The amount of sugar in each treat matters, but another important factor is how acidic, long-lasting, and sticky the candy is. When sticky, hard, chewy, or acidic sweets are consumed, they stay in contact with the teeth for longer periods of time, dramatically increasing risk of cavities.
Candies to Keep Away from Your Kids
Thankfully, your children can still have a happy Halloween with yummy sweets while also protecting their teeth. Here are some troublesome treats to avoid:
- Caramel, gum, taffy, and toffee
- Jawbreakers, lollipops, and other hard candies
- Gummy sweets, especially sour ones
- Anything that doesn’t dissolve in the mouth quickly
Chocolate Gets the OK from Your Dentist
What!? Your dentist in Spring Hill says your children can have chocolate? It sounds crazy, but if your kids are going to indulge, chocolate is a great sweet to give them because it dissolves quickly. Because it’s creamy, it is easily washed away with natural saliva and water. However, the ultimate healthy candy is dark chocolate. While it is somewhat of an acquired taste, dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants, among other health benefits. It also contains much less sugar, making it a healthy treat for smiles of all ages.
Execute the Plan
So, how do you keep the bad candy out of your kids hands while still keeping them happy? Trick or treat just like normal, but when you get back home, have them dump out all their candy on the ground. You can let them pick some of their favorites, and you can pick some mouth-healthy treats, donating the rest of your candy to a local food shelter. That way, they can enjoy the trick or treats with lots of sweets while saving their teeth!
Now that you know these easy yet useful tips, are you ready for the 31st? Keep these do’s and don’ts in mind to ensure that your loved ones have a happy and healthy Halloween.
About the Practice
At Family Dental Associates At Campbell Station, Dr. Keith Chapman and Dr. Allyson Kelly take pride in their ability to treat patients of all ages, allowing for quality and convenient care for your family. Dr. Chapman has also been working with Mercy Ships for 8 years, providing exceptional dental care to underserved patients in Liberia, a small country in West Africa. For any questions, they can be contacted through their website or by phone at (615) 302-1414.