Spooky Sweets and Healthy Teeth
Costumes are ready, candy buckets are waiting, and Halloween is on the horizon. As children prepare to collect their favorite treats this Saturday, October 31, some adults may already have dipped into the sugary stash. No judgment here, including one of our dental professionals at Stephen Klein Wellness Center (SKWC).
“Contrary to what might be a belief, I am also a lover of candy,” said Kyle, Dental Assistant, SKWC. “I love my chocolate and I love my sugar.”
“There is a way to eat all of the foods you enjoy eating while also caring for your teeth,” Kyle said. A few habits can help keep sugar from making itself at home long after the costumes come off.
When we eat candy, bacteria in the mouth feed on sugar and produce acids that can weaken tooth enamel. Sticky treats, like caramel, can cling to teeth, while sour candies can be acidic as well as sugary. The longer food lingers and the more often teeth are exposed to sugar throughout the day, the more opportunities bacteria have to produce acid.
One of Kyle’s favorite tricks is as easy as taking a sip of water. After enjoying candy, swish water around your mouth to help wash away sugar and food particles. It is especially helpful when brushing is not possible right away.
“Rinse your teeth off, do a swish and swallow,” Kyle said. “If you can feel any food lingering on your teeth, it’s still on there and it needs to be removed.”
When you can, brush gently with fluoride toothpaste, and remember your regular two-minute brush before bed. For sour candy or other acidic foods and drinks, rinse with water first and wait about an hour before brushing, allowing saliva time to help protect the enamel. Swishing is a helpful first step, but it does not replace brushing or flossing.
Timing matters, too. Enjoying a reasonable portion of candy with or shortly after a meal can be kinder to teeth than grazing on sweets throughout the day. “Have them as a dessert,” Kyle suggested. Each time sugar is reintroduced, bacteria get another opportunity to produce acid. Think of it as giving candy a scheduled visit instead of an all-day party in your mouth.
This Halloween, let the ghosts do the haunting and keep the sugar from overstaying its welcome. With water, a toothbrush and a little planning, families can enjoy the sweetness of the season while giving their smiles some care.
“I would not at all recommend anyone eats a whole fun-sized bag of Snickers in one sitting,” Kyle said. His point is that frequency matters, so save some for later and enjoy it in portions rather than reaching into the bucket every few minutes.
“About two minutes of brushing time is about how long one should be brushing for,” Kyle said. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and clean all surfaces, paying attention to the back teeth and along the gumline, where bits of food can hide. Clean between teeth once a day, too, especially when something sticky has found its way into a tight spot. After brushing, spit out the excess toothpaste instead of rinsing right away so fluoride can stay on the teeth.
For younger trick-or-treaters, caregivers can help make brushing part of the bedtime routine and supervise until children can do a thorough job. Children younger than three need only a smear of fluoride toothpaste about the size of a grain of rice. Children ages three through six need a pea-sized amount. Encourage them to spit out the toothpaste.
If dental pain or a concern has been haunting your family, do not wait for the holiday to pass to seek advice. SKWC offers dental care for the community, including preventive and emergency services. To make an appointment, call 215-320-6187 and select option three.
This Halloween, let the ghosts do the haunting and keep the sugar from overstaying its welcome. With water, a toothbrush and a little planning, families can enjoy the sweetness of the season while giving their smiles some care.
