When it comes to Halloween candy, some of us might down a bag of the stuff not even thinking twice about how many push-ups or sit-ups we'd have to do to burn it all off. But, some of those treats could actually be tricks for your dental health.
Newswatch 16's Ryan Leckey took a bite out of this topic with Dr. Ross Wezmar, a pediatric dentist at Smiles 4 Keeps in Scranton.
The dentists at Smiles 4 Keeps along with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry offered the following tips to help keep your teeth healthy:
- Hard candy and lollipops leave sugary residue on teeth and can cause the most damage to teeth. Encourage children to take sips of water as they enjoy the candy, then brush and floss thoroughly after they are finished.
- Soft, sticky candy (such as Tootsie Rolls, caramels, gummy candy, and Starburst) can stick to teeth and lead to decay. If your child eats these types of candy, be sure he or she eats one piece at a time and chews the candy completely. Following up with hard foods, such as carrot sticks and apples, help dislodge the candy that may remain on the teeth.
- Surprise! Chewing gum isn't all bad. Gum stimulates the production of saliva, which naturally removes bacteria from teeth. Look for sugar-free, naturally-sweetened gum. One ingredient, xylitol, actually helps dental health by preventing decay. Too much xylitol, however, can have a laxative effect. As with everything else, moderation is important.
- Use portion control to ensure that your children don't have too much candy. Give them a healthy dinner before trick or treating, so they will be less likely to overindulge in sweet treats.
- Offer alternative treats, like temporary tattoos, games, and crayons, instead of candy.
- Dark chocolate contains antioxidants, which are good for your teeth! Limit your servings to 6 to 8 ounces per day for best results.
- Encourage kids to have a diet that is centered on healthy food with the occasional treat, rather than a steady diet of unhealthy junk food.
- Regular, habitual flossing and brushing is always recommended.
For kids who have had dental work done (crowns, fillings, etc.):
- Kids who have had dental work (restorative care: fillings, crowns, or braces) are always instructed to avoid ANY sticky treats. Examples would be, but not limited to: gummies, gum, any sticky candies, such as taffy, fruit snacks, marshmallows, skittles, tootsie rolls, starbursts. Also, it is a good idea to avoid candy or caramel apples as they are extremely hard and sticky. Even children with preventive care, like sealants, can pull them off with tacky treats.
- Moderation and good choices are the key to healthy teeth and a healthy body.
For some other safety suggestions from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, click here!