Trick or Teeth: Don't let Halloween candy play tricks on your kid's pearly whites

10/12/2011

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., (Oct. 12, 2011) — When it comes to Halloween candy and your child’s teeth, knowing which candy can be more harmful than others is important for parents to keep in mind as their little ghosts and goblins take to the neighborhood streets on October 31.

“Not all candy is equally scary,” states Dr. Jed Jacobson, chief science officer and senior vice president of Delta Dental of Indiana. “Chocolate for the most part is considered a much better choice because it melts away quickly and is easier to brush away. It’s the chewy and hard candies that can create horror stories for children.”

According to Jacobson, chewy or “gummy” candies can uproot fillings and loosen braces, costing more money and time down the road. He also adds that hard candies are equally as bad.

“Hard candies can lead to an acid attack on the teeth for as long as 20 minutes after eating,” Jacobson added.

That’s why time is of the essence after a child partakes in their Halloween haul. Delta Dental recommends to parents a thorough tooth-brushing, or at least a big drink of water, after their child eats any type of sweet.

Here are some additional Delta Dental tips for dealing with Halloween treats:

• Don’t buy Halloween candy too far in advance to avoid the temptation for children (and adults) to get a head start on the splurge.
• Try to ensure children eat a good, hearty meal prior to trick-or-treating, so there will be less temptation to gorge on candy.
• Encourage kids to eat a small amount of candy in one sitting, and as mentioned above, have them brush their teeth or drink water immediately following.
• Promote good oral health care habits year-round to your children by encouraging twice daily brushing with fluoridated toothpaste, flossing and getting regular dental checkups.

About Delta Dental of Indiana
Delta Dental of Indiana and its affiliates in Kentucky, Michigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio and Tennessee collectively are among the largest dental plan administrators in the nation. In 2010, the enterprise paid out more than $2 billion for dental care for nearly 8 million enrollees. Offices are located in Indianapolis and Greenwood, Ind.