According to the 2000 census, more than 41 million young Americans, age five to 14, may go out on Halloween, dressed in a myriad of costumes, seeking the traditional reward of various candies and sweets. Americans are clearly enthusiastic about the holiday that has its roots as a Celtic festival. Halloween easily outranks all other candy seasonal sales. In 2000, Americans spent $1.983 billion on Halloween treats, outpacing second place Easter candy sales by $127 million.
But does all Halloween candy end up in the bags of the neighborhood trick-or- treaters?
Polls, anecdotal evidence, and simply observing the number of children dressed up for October 31 point to a growing trend that parents, concerned over safety, are celebrating Halloween in non-traditional ways. Increasingly, children in costume now gather at shopping centers, churches, and homes, and skip the door-to-door trek through their neighborhoods.
Which leaves quite a bit of uncollected candy. And on November 1, a great deal of that candy ends up in workplace kitchens, desks, and reception areas. It is the launch of a two-month period when at-work consumption of holiday foods leads to weight gain and a deterioration of good dental health.
According to Jeff Brown, DDS, of the Aesthetic Dental Center, Arlington, VA, it is ironic that parents who religiously ensure that their children brush their teeth after eating their Halloween candy go to work and start snacking on the leftover candy. In effect, they fail to practice the good dental hygiene habits that they enforce on their children. The result is that they are placing their own teeth at risk for severe problems down the line.
BackgroundThe damage caused by sugar and starches, both concentrated in Halloween treats, are well known. Dr. Matthew Messina, a consumer advocate for the American Dental Association, has written that both cause plaque that produces acids that attack tooth enamel. The stickiness of the plaque only exacerbates the problem -- the acids remain stuck to the teeth, and after many such assaults, the enamel breaks down and cavities form. The solution is to brush.
In addition, the pattern of decay has changed during the past 20 years. With the use of fluoride, the surfaces of teeth are more decay resistant, but the pits and grooves are still susceptible. This results in small but deep avidities, which are difficult to detect.
The Ticking Time Bomb in the MouthDr. Brown wants to emphasize that adults may face more problems than children by snacking on Halloween candy. "There is a national epidemic of gum disease in adults. More than one-third of American adults fail to visit a dentist at least once year. The result is often bone loss, and with bone loss, candies, particularly those with high consistency often become wedged between the large spaces between the teeth. At the office, most workers fail to brush or floss -- leaving a ticking time bomb in the mouth. Bone loss is not just a concern relating to osteoporosis. It is equally of concern in terms of dental health."
RecommendationsBrown offers the following tips for eating Halloween candy by young and old.
* Offer Halloween candy as dessert. If your children are used to brushing after every meal, then plaque created will be washed away. Parents should conduct a visual inspection of the teeth for any small candies that might be lodged.
* Remember the differences between candies. Chocolate may have a higher content of sugar yet brushing can easily wash it away. On the other hand, candies with greater consistency have a lower sugar content but they produce plaque that is more difficult to remove by brushing. Rubbery candies (and nuts) lodge between the teeth. Choose the snack item that can best be accommodated by your dental hygiene habits.
* If it isn't possible to brush after eating candy, Dr. Brown recommends rinsing your mouth with plain water. This helps remove sticky candy and dilutes the acid caused by plaque.
If you are resigned to the fact that you can't stay away from seasonal snacking of candy and treats from Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukah, Christmas, and New Year's, then schedule your semi-annual regular visit to the dentist -- after your over- indulgence.
The Aesthetic Dental is a family and cosmetic dental practice located in suburban Washington, DC. The Center helps to rejuvenate patient smiles in addition to restoring optimal dental health. The Center also treats crooked teeth and TMJ problems with state-of-the-art equipment and techniques.
Editor's Note: For further information or to schedule an interview with Dr. Brown, Please contact Donna Krupa, 703.967.2751 (cell), 703.527.7357 (office) or at [email protected].
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