Nice Smile: Halloween Candy Without the Cavities

Q: How can I allow my child to enjoy Halloween candy knowing that it may lead to cavities?

A: The main factors that cause cavities are a susceptible tooth that is exposed to sugar over a period of time. Certain candy is more damaging than others, like sticky and hard candies, which both increase the amount of time the sugar is in contact with the teeth. Sealants, painless, tooth-colored covers placed over the biting surfaces of teeth, are preventative measure to keep sugar out of the pits and grooves of teeth.

One way to enjoy the Halloween candy is for the parent to take all the loot and allow the child to eat as much candy as they want for 30 minutes and then brush their teeth afterwards. There are three benefits to this. First, they may get sick of eating so much candy and not want to eat any for a while. Second, since they are eating the candy at one time and not snacking on it throughout the day, their teeth are not exposed to sugar over a prolonged period. Finally, brushing their teeth will clean their teeth and the fluoride will help strengthen their teeth.