Halloween is fast approaching and we always see an increase of patients after Halloween, but not for the reason that you might expect! Cavities don't form overnight; it's the parents that we see with broken molars from biting down on hard candy, claiming that they are saving their kids from the threat in the Halloween bag!The problem with Halloween isn't the $1000 per tooth it costs to rebuild these adult teeth with crowns. It's that these adults grew up with a tradition that perpetuates an unhealthy relationship with food and continue that tradition right to the door of the dentist. $2 to $4 million dollars are spend on Halloween candy every year. Amassing that insane amount of candy on a single day can promote a very confusing message to a child, all in the name of tradition!
To break the stereotypical day of "candy worship" seen in children on Halloween, only allow your children to consume the candy on the holiday. Then, encourage them to exchange the remainder of their treats with you for a far greater reward like a book, a CD, movie tickets, a new electronic game, some athletic equipment or even a bike! And remember, to minimize the temptation that can lead to a future dental hazard, although it may be difficult, send the rest of the candy to your curb to be picked up by the "Great Pumpkin."
Moderation is the key. If your children eat candy, make sure it's under a controlled environment. Have drinking water available to buffer the huge hit of acids that ensue within minutes of candy consumption. And, of course, make sure that they brush within 20 minutes after consuming any candy. For adults, the stickier and harder the treat, the worst the dental "trick" on your teeth! If you do experience a "scary" Halloween dental trick this year, call our office at 918-455-0123!
God Bless,
DRT
