Halloween is right around the corner, which is the kick off of candy-eating season. You may not realize that it’s not just kiddos that indulge on Halloween candy. According to a survey by Delta Dental, nearly 80 percent of parents admit to raiding their child’s Halloween candy. Adults need to be aware of what Halloween candy to avoid this season, as much as children do.
The fact of the matter is, sugar is sugar. If you are going to indulge, it’s better to go for it. When you consume a large amount of candy in one sitting, it’s actually better for you. Tooth decay tends to occur when candy consumption occurs over time. The longer your teeth are exposed to sugar, the bacteria naturally breaks it down and turns it into acid and plaque.
Unless you have the will power of an Olympic athlete, the statistics speak for themselves. Most of us will fall into temptation and indulge after putting the kids to bed.
Chocolate Halloween candy is a better choice than hard candy.
One helpful tip is to eat candy that melts or is consumed quickly. This will limit the amount of exposure to the harmful acids that cause decay. For example, chocolate dissolves almost instantly after being consumed. That said, don’t go for those chocolate bars that are filled with chewy caramel, nugget and nuts.
Helpful Halloween Candy Tips
Here are some other helpful Halloween candy eating tips to get you through Halloween.
- Enjoy candy after a meal or as a dessert, so you’re not as hungry.
- Avoid snacking on candy throughout the day.
- Brush your teeth after enjoying these sweet treats. Or at the very least, rinse out your mouth with water.
- Avoid hard candy like lollipops. These types of candy are enjoyed over a longer period of time. And it’s almost impossible to avoid some kind of chewing or chomping on hard candy. This can be especially dangerous to enamel and can cause chipping or cracking.
- Lastly, avoid sticky, chewy candy. Caramels, Swedish fish or gummy candies have very high sugar content and get stuck easily in the crevices and grooves of teeth. Sticky candies are more difficult for your saliva to break down.
You should avoid gummy Halloween candy.
We know you probably won’t be giving out apples and veggies when those cute goblins come knocking on your door. But, now you know how to avoid an emergency dentist appointment for yourself and your youngsters this year.
Dr. Potts is a gentle, caring dentist uses the most advanced materials and procedures available. He practices comfortable, health-centered dentistry, with a strong emphasis on getting to know each patient. In addition technical proficiency, Dr. Potts is a careful listener. He makes sure to understand what you want and will explain beforehand what treatment is best for your individual needs, along with all options available to you.
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