Halloween Doesn't Have to Cause Cavities

CORTLANDT MANOR, N.Y. - According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the average American consumes 180 pounds of sugar and 24.7 pounds of candy per year, statistics that bring us right to Halloween — only a few Snickers bars away. For most children, this means gobs of Gobstompers that will keep them sugared up till the spring thaw.

But for parents, Oct. 31 means a grab bag of health challenges.

"Anything that's sweet promotes decay of the children's mouth," said 20-year dental office manager, Joanne Boltron. She works in Cortlandt Manor, in the dental office of Dr. Gruss J. Murray, near the Hudson Valley Hospital Center. "I visited another dentist's office and they have a bowl of candy in the waiting room that just turns me off," she said.

The American Dental Association has suggestions for parents so their kids can maintain good oral health despite Halloween and throughout the year.

While Boltron said her office doesn't recommend eating candy at all, she said "If the children really, really just want candy, we recommend solid chocolate. Anything that is solid, no caramel in it, because it sticks into the surface of the teeth and that promotes decay."

Other tips for keeping teeth in good shape include eating Halloween candy, and other sugary foods, with meals, because saliva production increases while eating. This helps neutralize acids produced by bacteria in the mouth and helps rinse away food particles.

Hard candy and sweets that stay in the mouth for a long time should be avoided. The length of time food remains in the mouth plays a role in hastening tooth decay. Unless it is sugar-free, hard candy subjects teeth to prolonged acid attack, which increases risk for tooth decay.

Avoid sticky candies that cling to the teeth, including taffy and gummy bears, among others. These confections take longer to get washed away by saliva and increase the risk for tooth decay.

Drink more water – fluoridated if possible. Fluoridated water can help prevent tooth decay.

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