Keep Tiny Teeth Top of Mind this Halloween

 www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

 

When it comes to Halloween candies - not all treats are created equal. Some can even have a scary effect on tiny teeth! Keep your child’s teeth top of mind this Halloween, see below for which candies are the most frightening and which ones will make for a healthy Halloween holiday!

Items to avoid:
Gummies, caramel, sour candies or any chewy/sticky candy can easily get stuck in all the nooks and crannies of the mouth, making it hard for saliva to wash particles away - leading to tooth decay.

Better choices:
Treats like milk chocolate and snack sized packs of pretzels or crackers are better options for teeth when consumed in moderation. Since these are less sticky than the above and also are not high in acidity - they are less harmful to tiny teeth.

Best choices:
Dark chocolate - due to its antioxidant properties of preventing infections and bacteria from sticking to teeth - and sugar-free gum with xylitol are the best treat choices. Research shows that xylitol can help promote the presence of healthy bacteria that protect the teeth and fight the buildup of plaque. 

With all the treats your kids are bound to bring home, we want to remind you to allow them to snack in moderation and to always brush and rinse after consumption.

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dentistry has three Long Island locations. We specialize in caring for children’s teeth in a comfortable and caring environment. Call (516) 798-1111 or visit our website to schedule an appointment. 

Participate in our Candy 'Buy Back' Program!

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental and Orthodontics

www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

Special announcement! Our offices will be doing a candy 'buy back' program in order to donate Halloween candy to the troops! We are giving out 1 raffle ticket per pound of candy which will enter you in the contest for a $25 gift card to the movies.

So try not to let your kids overload on sweets this Halloween and instead bring some in from November 1st - 9th to enter the raffle. Not sure which candy you should keep and which candy you should donate? See our list below for the best and the worst treats:

The Good:

• Plain chocolate is actually one of the best candies kids can treat themselves to on Halloween. It melts quickly and decreases the amount of time sugar is in contact with your teeth.
• Sugar free gum is great for kids to have after eating, it increases saliva which then works to wash the teeth and neutralize some of the acid produced by bacteria.

Be cautious of:

• Sugar filled candies - pixie stixs, fun dip, nerds, smarties, candy corn, etc. These all contain a high amount of sugar which can cause tooth decay.
• Sticky sweets - taffy, gummy candies, jelly beans. These all get stuck in the crevices between the teeth making it hard for saliva to wash away.
• Sour candies - sour patch kids. These candies have a higher acidic content, which can break down tooth enamel.

No matter what candy your kids decide to indulge in, make sure they rinse with water and brush after consumption. And remember - a proper oral routine makes sure the occasional sweets don't do any harm!