Halloween is filled with crazy costumes, pumpkin patches, scary stories, sugary delights and lots of candy! Steering clear of all Halloween candy seems a bit extreme, but monitoring your child’s intake can prevent you from having to take a trip to your dental office.
At Agape Dental Clinic in Mill Woods, we want your child to have a blast on this special occasion without having to compromise their oral health as well as their overall health. The spike in sugary treats can have some damaging effects on our oral system. We will take a look at how these sweet and tasty treats can impact your child below.
Sugar causes inflammation in your body, as little as two teaspoons can upset the body’s hemostasis and change the body chemistry. Today, the average person’s consumption of sugar is ½ a cup a day, which is more than 150lbs a year. This can lead to:
- Diabetes
- Pancreatitis
- Sinusitis
- Multiple sclerosis
- Arthritis
- Brain degeneration
- Tooth decay
- Oral tissue inflammation
Additionally, a high intake of sugar weakens the immune system as it weakens the cell tissues and results in the improper absorption of proteins and minerals. When your immune system is weakened, it can cause gum inflammation, increase plaque formation, and creates an inability to combat oral infection. Increased levels of plaque and unfriendly bacteria create the ideal environment for dental decay to thrive as the bacteria feed off the starches (sugars) in your diet, releasing acid and causing enamel erosion. So how can you enjoy Halloween candy without harming your smile or overall health? Eat it in moderation.
Your child’s trick or treating bag may be full, but that does not mean it needs to be consumed all at once.
Agape Dental recommends sorting through all Halloween candy and disposing of anything that is already open, has damaged packing and is not sugar-laden but is very sticky and chewy. Have a conversation with your child about the amount of candy they should keep, for example, perhaps this means keeping ten pieces and then donating the rest to your nearby food bank. Also, set a time for treats and ensure your child brushes, flosses and chugs a tall glass of water to rinse away residual sugar in their mouth.
