Halloween has passed, November is here, and Rochester residents are already exchanging their spooky cobwebs and jack-o-lanterns for cornucopias, Christmas lights, and standard holiday decorations. But even after the cobwebs are long stowed away, according to dentists, Halloween candy will still be haunting your children’s teeth.
Pediatric Dentist Isamar Rivera Ramos of Eastman Institute for Oral Health told 13WHAM that Halloween candy can linger on children’s teeth, turning into unwanted bacteria that can lead to cavities and dental conditions such as periodontitis later in life.
Caused by poor oral hygiene, periodontitis is a condition that creates inflammation around the teeth, shrinkage of gums and loosening of the teeth themselves. Although men are around 20% more likely to experience periodontitis, it is a concern for all individuals who neglect to properly clean their teeth.
This kind of oral hygiene starts in childhood, and it is especially pressing to practice oral hygiene during the holiday season.
While it is unrealistic to bar any and all candy from your household, Dr. Ramos recommends being choosy about the sweets you give your child.
“The good candy is the one like chocolate, like candy bars that will dissolve in your mouth a lot faster,” Ramos said. “Something that is what we call bad candy is Swedish fish or gummies.”
And it’s not just the type of candy, it’s the frequency at which it is consumed, too.
“If they take a bucket of candy and they have a piece every five, ten minutes for the next three days that’s when I get worried,” Ramos added. “So it’s frequency more than amount.”
Instead, Ramos recommends giving your child a piece of Halloween candy after dinner and always encouraging brushing and flossing after consuming any sticky sweets. If a child is under seven or eight years of age, then parents should help with teeth brushing.
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