Not all candy is created equal when it comes to cavities. Some types of treats are more tooth friendly than others.Dental Health Check with Dr. Linda Niessen
Dental health topics from Dr. Linda Niessen of Baylor College of Dentistry
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Halloween Treats
By Dr. Linda Niessen STORY: HALLOWEEN TREATS Additional advice “Frequent eating of foods high in sugars and starches as between-meal snacks may be more harmful to your teeth than eating them at meals. Put the treats out of sight and encourage children to avoid excessive snacking, especially between regular meals. If they desire a treat, consider including it as part of the meal. Eating during a meal produces more saliva, which helps wash foods from the mouth and lessens the effects of decay-causing bacteria.”
Monday, October 25, 2004
SCRIPT #579 SHOOT: 10/13/04
AIRDATE: Monday, Oct. 25, 2004
Daybreak and Midday
DHC Master #20 Timecode: 11:38
from the American Dental Association: www.ada.org
This week, children and some adults may consume an unhealthy amount of candy. The Halloween season can lead to bad news at your next dental visit. Dr. Linda Niessen offers advice on the best way to avoid Halloween related tooth decay in today’s Dental Health Check.
Not all candy is created equal when it comes to cavities. Some types of treats are more tooth friendly than others.
So when young goblins roam neighborhoods, the kind of candy they receive may affect their future oral health. What your child brings home in the treat bag can be more frightening than any goblin, especially sticky, gooey candy that stays on your child’s teeth.
“So things like caramels, Junior mints, really sticky Starbursts that kids love now. All those are bad candy choices. Good candy choices would be something you might chew up like a piece of chocolate, and it’s gone,” says Dentist, Dr. Vicki Borowski.
When you shop for candy, choose the kind most likely to stay in the mouth a short time. One suggestion: small pieces of chocolate.
Acid attacks occur for about 20 minutes after children eat. So to minimize tooth damage, limit exposure.
Sealants also help. Permanent 6 year and 12 year molars should be sealed as soon as possible.
Besides candy, look for alternatives such as novelties.
Halloween Shop Owner Tripp Snuggs says, “By the time children get to the 25th or 30th house they’ve been to, it’s kind of fun to get a trick instead of a treat.”
So this Halloween, make sure the scary teeth in your household are only part of a costume. For Baylor College of Dentistry, Texas A&M System, I’m Dr. Linda Niessen, Channel 8 News.
Dr. Linda Niessen, clinical professor in the Department of Restorative Sciences and the Office of Communications and Development at Baylor College of Dentistry, hosts Dental Health Check, the only weekly dental feature shot on location in the nation.
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