Bucks County Dental Design

The “season of candy” is almost here!   Halloween is quickly approaching so I would like to give some tips for fighting the sugar monster.

We all know that sugars eat away at the enamel of teeth.  Children’s teeth are particularly sensitive to this erosion, and the subsequent decay in “baby” teeth can cause significant problems in the later “permanent” teeth.   Thus, we need to avoid sugar, or mitigate its negative effect, as much as possible.

I know that keeping candy away from children is easier said than done.   My advice is to attempt to maintain some control over Halloween candy and other sweets. 

My first suggestion is to check your child’s Halloween bag and dump the candies that are sticky or last long in the mouth.  Ideally, your child should consume the candy quickly, with a chaser of water, and, when possible, follow with teeth brushing thirty minutes later.   It is better for the child to have specific times to eat the candy rather than to consume it throughout the day.

Stay on top of your child’s dental check-ups and be sure that the appointment includes a fluoride treatment.  Tooth decay in children progresses quickly due to the smaller amount of enamel on the baby teeth, compared to adult teeth.   An influx of sugar is “food” for the bacteria in the mouth that causes decay.   

Brush, brush, brush your children’s teeth!  An adult should do the brushing until the child has the manual dexterity to brush thoroughly on his own (usually around 7-8 years of age).  During “candy season” the evening brushing is particularly important so that the sugar is not hanging around in the mouth overnight.

I have wonderful memories of my three kids at Halloween, and, yes, they ate plenty of candy during the season.  Use common sense and follow these tips.  The goal is to win the decay war, despite losing a few skirmishes!  

Call Bucks County Dental Design at 215-364-2420 for all your family’s dental health needs or visit www.buckscountydentaldesign.com.