It’s no secret that children love treats on Halloween. What might be a secret, though, is what kind of treat is best for children to eat on Halloween. Most pediatric dentists would agree that many candies are simply bad for children’s teeth. These include candies that are sticky, gummy, hard, and covered in sugar. So, which Halloween treats would dentists recommend for kiddos on Halloween night?
Recommended Treats
As with anything you put into your body, moderation is key. Sure, it’s a holiday and people are going to indulge, but make sure your kids aren’t going too crazy and eating too much Halloween candy. What’s especially troublesome with Halloween candy is sugar. Sugary foods are linked to a number of serious medical conditions, including liver disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Increased sugar intake can be a contributing factor to these conditions. Indulging in sugar-covered Halloween candy certainly doesn’t help children avoid these conditions. In the short term, sugar can have troubling effects on your child’s teeth. Sugar, when combined with the bacteria in the mouth, can create plaque. It’s no secret that plaque is bad for your teeth, dissolving enamel and causing cavities. Sugar is a big reason for tooth decay in many children. That’s why most pediatric dentists would recommend Halloween treats that are sugar-free or at least do not stick to the teeth and hang around for a while.
Chocolate Choices
What makes many Halloween candies so concerning for dentists is that many of them are hard to clean off teeth. All that sugar left stuck on your teeth can affect the enamel and increase the risk of tooth decay. If you’re going to be giving your kids Halloween candy this year, the best choice would be a treat that is a little easier to clean off teeth. Chocolate is a good option for this. Most kids love chocolate, so they’ll love hearing that chocolate is much easier to brush off teeth than hard candies and gummy candies. It’s true, which is why pediatric dentists would recommend buying chocolate bars over the hard, sticky, gummy candies. Chocolate also melts completely so even if you don’t brush right away, it will dissolve over time. Peanut butter cups are a similar option. Like chocolate bars, they are much easier to clean off the teeth than sticky or gummy candies.
The Best Advice for Halloween
The most important thing to remember, no matter what you choose to enjoy on Halloween, is to brush and floss your child’s teeth at the end of the night. Brushing, as always, is the best method for getting food off your child’s teeth and protecting them from plaque and tooth decay. To make sure your kids’ teeth are fully protected and free from cavities, call Around The World Pediatric Dentistry and schedule an appointment for your post-Halloween dental cleaning. We are dedicated to children’s dental health, providing the very best dental services in Stamford, CT; Greenwich, CT; and the surrounding areas. If you have additional questions about your child’s dental care and the services we provide, give us a call today.