Once the doorbells have been rung, the costume traded in for pajamas and the candles in the jack-o’-lanterns blown out, there is one thing that lingers after Halloween: that bucket or bag full of candy.
According to Forbes, Americans buy 600 million pounds of Halloween candy every year. That’s the weight of six Titanic ships. Imagine how all that sugar impacts us, especially children.
“I laugh now because my children have been hearing it from me for a while,” said Dr. Quint “Dr. Q” Lester, owner and dentist at Hilltop Dental in Maplewood. “They already know my approach to Halloween and candy in general.”
Dr. Q has four children between the ages of 5 and 13. He would classify them all as having a sweet tooth. That’s why he warns them, just as he does parents, to beware when it comes to all the taffy, jawbreakers, lollipops, hard candy and chocolate filling our homes after Halloween.
“Make sure your kids are mindful of what and when they’re eating,” Dr. Q added. He says a few pieces in one sitting is better than spanning it out. “This way, your teeth are battered with sugar all at once and you can brush your teeth or even drink water to clear it out. If you’re eating a piece of candy here and there throughout the day, your contact time with the sugar will do more damage.”
How does this damage occur? Dr. Q says it’s all about bacteria. “Sugar provides a surface for bacteria to adhere to. Then it grows and produces acid, weakening the tooth to cause decay.”
And it’s not just about teeth. A key message of October, National Dental Hygiene Month, is that oral health is highly connected to full-body health. “Associations have been found between the bacteria in our mouth and systemic diseases including cardiovascular disease, strokes and Alzheimer's disease, among others,” said Keeley Flavin, a clinical associate professor in the School of Dentistry at the University of Minnesota. Flavin’s comments were published in an article from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry.
While many parents understand the need to limit sugar intake, Halloween is tough to unwrap for kids who typically lack self-control. Dr. Q says moderation is key. “As parents, we should be the sole provider of that candy.” Meaning don’t let kids keep their Halloween stash in their rooms. Dr. Q also suggests a daily piece limit and brushing after eating candy or, at the very least, swooshing with water. This is in addition to Dr. Q and the American Dental Association’s recommended routine of brushing in the morning and before bed.
This time of year, many adults also find it hard to resist the temptation of taffy, caramels, gummy candy and popcorn, a big offender. “I see a lot of broken teeth from patients who bit down on a corn kernel that cracked the tooth, which has to be removed,” said Dr. Q. Sticky, tacky treats like caramel and taffy are also notorious for damage, “When you bite down the tooth conforms to the shape of the candy and when you pull apart, fillings, crowns and veneers can come off.”
Dr. Q says it’s not just limited to candy at Halloween but all desserts, especially soda, energy drinks and coffee drinks. He suggests being mindful of how sweets can be sour when it comes to your dental hygiene and overall health. It’s a fact, not hocus pocus.