Like it or not, this is "candy is dandy" week.
Canadian kids will be all smiles, despite the state of their teeth. Some of their parents will go to heroic measures to forbid the sweet stuff: Their kids will collect coins for charity, instead; or house parties will be planned so that kids can miss the Halloween haul that would await them on the streets.
A few years ago, the Center for Children's Health Media, sponsored by the U.S.-based Nemours Foundation, polled 1,200 kids about their Halloween candy. Most kids said they get at least 50 pieces of candy on the big night, with over 44% saying they take in more than 100 pieces.
Halloween candy promises a lot of potential cavities and empty calories, says Dr. Euan Swan, Manager, Dental Programs at the Canadian Dental Association. Candy contributes to tooth decay because its sugar mixes with the bacteria in the dental plaque on teeth to create a mild acid which, in turn, attacks the hard outer layer of the tooth, called the enamel.
"The longer and more often sugar touches your teeth, the more damage it can do," says Swan. "If the dental plaque isn't removed every day by brushing and flossing, over time, the enamel gets soft and a cavity forms."
Worth knowing for parents who sift through their kids' candy is that some sweets are better than others.
"Candy that is particularly bad for teeth is soft and sticky," explains Swan. "It will get stuck on and between the teeth, making it difficult to either be washed away by saliva or cleaned away by a toothbrush."
Think gummy worms, caramels and that often stale standby, Halloween kiss candy.
Candy is also particularly bad for kids who still have their baby teeth, says Swan. "As the enamel on the primary teeth of a four-year-old is thinner than the enamel on the permanent teeth of a teen, the four-year-old is at greater risk of having tooth decay penetrate the enamel and causing a hole in the tooth surface."
Candy has a bad rap, but raisins, dates or peanut butter -- though healthy nutrition-wise -- also tend to stick to teeth. They also set up an environment for bacteria to feast on. So-called healthy fruit drinks, even milk, contain sugars that can cause cavities if they remain on baby teeth for hours.
Parents might be relieved to hear that, in the above-mentioned poll conducted by the Nemours Foundation, only about 20% of kids said they eat all their Halloween candy. However much they end up eating, 60% of kids said they take anywhere from two weeks to a month or more.
Families can get pretty creative about how to get their kids to eat less. Some tell their kids they can eat all they want on Halloween night, others "regift" their kids' candy by sending it back out to kids who come to the door after theirs have returned home.
Swan suggests parents try rationing it out over a few weeks.
"Another alternative would be to let your child trade in their candy for something they have been wanting, like a book, a video game, toy or trip to the movies," he says. "You can also have your child set aside half of their Halloween candy and later accompany them to donate it to an organization such as a shelter or local soup kitchen."
Think of the experience as teaching kids about moderation rather than setting limits.
"If eaten in moderation and at the end of a meal, candy is one of life's little pleasures!" says Swan.
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Safety First
Check out the following for more on Halloween safety and sugar treats:
safecanada.org
healthyteeth.org
kidshealth.org
saveyoursmile.com
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Candy Alternatives: Sweet!
"Provide alternatives such as sugarless gum, chocolate, nuts, stickers, pencils and other small treats," advises the Canadian Dental Association's Dr. Euan Swan. Other possibilities:
- Dollar store stuff such as sunglasses, temporary tattoos, mini magnifying glasses, glow sticks
- Toothbrushes, floss or mini-mouthwashes bought cheaply in bulk
- Potato chips, pretzels
- Mini containers of Play-Doh, erasers, bubbles, party favours
