Newswise — Kids disguised as heroes, monsters, fiends and princesses, intent on the annual hunt for trick or treat candy, will soon haunt neighborhoods all over the country.
Halloween itself is haunted by a ghoul that far too many parents meet in the weeks after all the fun is long over: the cavities that are started by all those treats.
Dr. Joel Berg, chair of the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Washington, has five easy tips for a cavity-free Halloween:
Build a good foundation for dental health by brushing for at least two minutes twice a day, every day, especially at bedtime on Halloween. "Going to bed after eating handfuls of candy can be especially dangerous," Berg says. "The dryness of the mouth at night is a playground for decay-causing bacteria."
Avoid chewy, gooey candies that stick to teeth. Those do the most damage to teeth and help cavities get started.
Enjoy treats that are easily brushed or washed away from teeth by saliva or water. Options include sugarless or low-sugar candies and chocolate.
Keep candy as a treat, not a part of everyday eating. "Constant snacking on candy causes tooth enamel to be continuously exposed to acids produced by the bacteria in the mouth as they interact with sugar," Berg says.
Floss to loosen plaque and debris that can't be removed by brushing alone. Flossing before you brush allows plaque to be swept away when you brush. Check with a dentist to learn when your kids should start flossing every day.
Note: Joel H. Berg, DDS, MS, is Professor and Lloyd and Kay Chapman Chair for Oral Health of the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington. He is a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist, and is the President of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Foundation.
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