While safety is undoubtedly on your mind, as little ones hit the pavement to stock up on tricks and treats, you may also be wondering what impact binging on candy may have on developing gums and tooth enamel. According to research, the average American eats about 25 pounds of candy every year. Come October 31, that number jumps to a whopping 90 million pounds – in just one week, says a 2009 Nielsen Newswire Report.
Meanwhile, data collected by Coupon Follow in 2013 reports that the average child will eat about 3 cups of sugar on Halloween. Yikes! Here’s what you need to know about what those sweets are doing to your precious teeth.
For starters, consuming candy puts you at risk of halitosis, gum disease and tooth decay. “Anaerobic bacteria feed on sugars like the ones found in abundance around Halloween. Sugary treats spur a surge in activity as the bacteria create the sulfur compounds that cause wickedly bad breath,” Dr. Harold Katz, founder of The California Breath Clinics and best known as the “final authority in breath,” tells Black Doctor.org.
Making the problem worse? “Halloween candies contain chocolate, an acidic food that helps bad breath bacteria multiply,” continued Dr. Katz. “Halloween halitosis isn’t the only negative effect, however. Sugars also allow separate types of bacteria in your mouth to produce glycan strands. In turn, these glycans produce plaque. That adds gum disease and tooth decay to the list of frightening effects from sugary candies.”
Fortunately for parents there are a variety of strategies…
….one can follow to protect your little ones’ pearly whites, without robbing them of all the fun! “Simply saying no to sugary candies on All Hallows’ Eve isn’t practical,” said Dr. Katz. “Even if you, as an adult, somehow have enough self-control to do so, it’s hardly fair to your children not to let them indulge at least a bit. About half of adults eat candy on Halloween, but the figure for kids is close to 100 percent, according to market analysts at NPD Group.”
Here’s a better approach: “One way to do that is not to be part of the problem. When trick-or-treaters come to your door, hand out fake tattoos or vampire teeth instead of fun-size candy bars. The strategy also keeps tempting bags of candy out of your house.
“The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend putting a limit on the number of candies you and the little ghouls in your life are allowed to eat. Many families have a tradition of trading pieces of each person’s treat haul. The excess can go into a bag for charity or for the adults to take to their offices.”
Of course, the best strategy is proper oral care – staying ahead of the problem! “Candy is an oral health danger year-round. Perhaps the best answer is to use the same advanced oral care products that keep your breath fresh and mouth healthy the rest of the year:”
“These products, used as directed, attack the bacteria that cause bad breath and ensure you’ll have top-flight oral health,” he said.
When enjoying sweet treats, especially, it’s important to brush and floss after each meal, and visit a dentist regularly.