Halloween can be fun multiple reasons including dressing up, watching scary movies, and spending time together as a family. Though candy might be your child’s favorite part of Halloween, we know it can be a huge problem for the parents. That much sugar can be damaging for children’s teeth so it’s important that you monitor their candy consumption. Now is a good time to teach children about oral health and moderation when it comes to sweets without depriving them of Halloween fun, so check out the risks, and different ways in which you can limit their candy eating!
Problems Caused by Eating Too Much Halloween Candy
Though you’ve heard that eating too much sugar is bad for you, you might not understand exactly what it does to your teeth. Cavities are a result, but they can also lead to tooth decay!
Cavities and Tooth Decay
Cavities and tooth decay are caused by prolonged exposure to sugar in the mouth. According to oral health experts sugar has been the leading cause of cavities and tooth decay. The bacteria found in our mouth feeds on the sugar in candy and other foods and then turns it into acid. This acid attacks tooth enamel causing it to decay.
Problem Candies
The chewy and sticky candies are the most problematic for your children’s teeth. These sugary treats get stuck on the surface of teeth and in between crevices allowing sugar to stick around. The longer this sugar is stuck in the teeth, the more acid is produced from bacteria, which eats away at enamel causing decay and cavities.
Try to avoid:
- Candies filled with caramel or nuts
- Taffy, caramels or gummies
- Lollipops and jawbreakers
- Sour candies
How to Limit Your Kid’s Candy Intake
Rather than preventing your child from going trick-or-treating or taking away their candy altogether, it’s better that you limit and monitor it. Allow your child to choose two to three candies a day that they can enjoy. Send one with their lunch and one or two with their dinner. This way they feel in control of their candy, and you can feel better about their sugar intake.
Another great idea is to limit their candy consumption by baking the chocolate and caramel pieces into desserts! Check out these awesome recipes by Tasty.co!
Another option to try when limiting the candy your children eat is a chore board. Tell your children that they cannot eat a piece of candy unless they’ve completed a household chore, and you can reward them with extra pieces for doing a good job! Check out this awesome chore chart to keep track!
Burg Can Help Prevent Tooth Decay!
Halloween is a good time to focus on your children’s teeth but you should be taking oral health actions year-round. It’s important to encourage good oral health habits regularly including brushing teeth twice a day, flossing daily, and visiting your dentist. For a professional cleaning and check up on your children’s teeth, call Utah’s trusted pediatric dentist, Burg Children’s Dentistry to schedule an appointment!
