DENTAL HEALTH
Halloween
How to keep treats from doing scary things to teeth
Last Updated: Thursday, October 29, 2009 | 9:04 AM ET
By Christine Peloquin, CBC News
Avoid popular Halloween candies like candy corn and jelly beans, for example — they not only contain high amounts of sugar, they are also extra sticky. (Lee Celano/Reuters)On Saturday, children of all ages will disguise themselves in ghastly costumes and take to the streets in search of treats. What really spooks some parents, however, is the ghastly effect all that candy can have on teeth.
Here are a few things to keep in mind before allowing children to dig into a bag of tasty treats.
The sugar — especially sucrose — found in most candy is known to cause cavities in teeth. But it isn't the sugar itself that does the damage.
The mouth is riddled with different bacteria. Some of this bacteria, such as streptococcus mutans, thrives on sugar, says Euan Swan, manager of dental programs at the Canadian Dental Association (CDA).
The bacteria sticks to teeth, and over time it grows as it feeds on sugar. It creates a film known as dental plaque (bio film), which coats the teeth and acts as an acid. This acid attacks the hard outer layer of the tooth — the enamel — making it softer and more prone to cavities.
Naturally occurring sugars such as fructose, sucrose, and glucose — mainly found in fruits — can cause tooth decay. However, sugars that occur in fresh fruits are contained within the cells of the fruit, which makes it harder for the bacteria to feed on them, according to Swan. So in general, fruits "are not an issue" for tooth decay, he says.
Unlike fruits, the sugar is on the outside or mixed into most candies rather than being locked safely away in cells. This free-floating sugar is easy for bacteria to feed on.
The amount of damage done to a tooth's enamel depends on how much and how long sugar from candy stays in the mouth, feeding the bacteria.
"The longer and more often sugar touches the teeth, the more damage it can do," says the CDA.
Candy that's kinder to teeth
It might be difficult to avoid sugary candy this Halloween, but there are some treats that are better for your pearly whites than others.
The worst candies, says Swan, are those that are chewy and sticky. They can remain in contact with teeth longer and they can also hide in the teeth's crevices. Candies that contain caramels or taffy are extra sticky and make it hard for saliva to wash away the sugar. Avoid popular Halloween candies like candy corn and jelly beans, for example — they not only contain high amounts of sugar, they are also extra sticky.
After eating candy, a quick and easy solution to prevent cavities is to ensure children brush and floss right away. Rinsing with water or milk can also help reduce the chance that sugar residue will remain in the mouth.
Harder candies can be harmful to teeth if they are crunched, but the sugar in the candy will eventually be swallowed and is less likely stick around on the teeth to feed bacteria. Similarly, candies like lollipops that slowly release sugar when they are sucked are still better than other treats that stick to teeth since suckers will eventually dissolve and will be washed away by the mouth's saliva.
After eating candy, a quick and easy solution to prevent cavities is to ensure children brush and floss right away. Rinsing with water or milk can also help reduce the chance that sugar residue will remain in the mouth, says Swan.
Another alternative for parents to consider is passing out sugar-free candy or candies that contain artificial sweeteners, says Swan. Or instead of passing out candies, parents can look towards healthier options like packed nuts, string cheese, toothbrushes, sugarless gum, stickers or pencils.
When and how much
If kids bring home a big bag of candy after trick-or-treating, managing the mound of treats can help minimize the chance of tooth (and tummy) problems.
Candies like lollipops that slowly release sugar when they are sucked. (Associated Press)Parents might consider giving out candy only after their children eat a meal, for example, rather than allowing constant snacking. Eating candy after meals when the production of saliva is at its highest is recommended, says Swan, since saliva helps neutralize the acid bacteria produces.
"Saliva physically washes away sugar in the mouth," Swan says, and "helps to neutralize acid that can eat away teeth."
Chewing gum — preferably sugar-free gum — stimulates the production of saliva. Children can pop a piece of chewing gum before eating candy to help increase the amount of saliva in their mouth.
Several studies have been published in the past two decades showing the importance of chewing gum — especially xylitol — in the prevention of cavities.
A study from the school of dentistry at the University of Michigan found that chewing gums usage substantially reduced the rate of cavities. Chewing gum that contained xylitol was shown to be the most effective at cavity reduction compared to chewing gum with other sugar supplements. Similarly, a study published in the Acta Odontol Scand journal showed that subjects who replaced fructose and sucrose in their diets with xylitol had an 85 per cent reduction in caries.
While it may not be the healthiest idea to eat a ton of sugar at once, Swan adds that from a dental point of view, getting through all that sugar quickly is generally better for your teeth. A child who binges and then brushes will only expose their teeth to sugar for a relatively short time, whereas snacking again and again over a period of many days means repeated exposure to the sugar.
And whether your child decides to binge on candy in one sitting or ration it over a few days, a good toothbrush with fluoride toothpaste used right after a sugary snack is your child's best weapon against cavities.
