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Halloween and Kids Teeth
With Halloween just around the corner, it's time for children to start picking out costumes, and for parents to start worrying about their children's teeth. Bags of sugar-laden candy from a night of "trick or treating" can make parents feel uncomfortable about allowing children to enjoy their goodies.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) says parents can relax. Halloween comes once a year and children can enjoy their treats without harm to their teeth, if the snacking is done sensibly.
Candy is no more likely to cause cavities than most other foods. The important thing, say pediatric dentists, is how frequently a child eats. Every time food is eaten, bacteria living in the mouth produces acid. The acid typically remains in the mouth for 20 minutes after eating either a snack or a full meal. Children who snack frequently suffer multiple acid attacks and that can lead to tooth decay.
So how should parents approach Halloween? Here's what the AAPD recommends:
- allow children to choose one or two pieces of candy after lunch and dinner since an acid attack is already underway due to the meal
- limit snacking to no more than three or four times a day. In addition to Halloween candy, choose snacks that contribute to overall nutrition and health. Snacks such as cheese, vegetables, yogurt and chocolate milk all are nutritious choices
- make sure children brush at least twice a day, once in the morning and once before bed
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More information can be found at the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry website
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