Halloween: A Dentist's Nightmare
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- As those little ghosts and goblins go door to door for tricks and treats, there's one horrifying thing to look out for: cavities.
Dr. Jim Nickman with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry knows the dentist can be scary, but he also knows kids love candy. While you are going through the loot on Halloween night, Nickman cautions parents about some specific types.
"Sour candies, one, contain a lot of sugar, but that wonderful sour taste comes from a very acidic coating on the candy. As the acid level rises in the mouth, the enamel is under attack," Nickman said. "The longer that stays in contact with the tooth, the more damage that can be done over time."
Nickman says suckers and sticky candies like taffy, gummies and caramel have a tendency to "hang around" after they're gone. He says dark chocolate and sugar-free gum are better options.
Nickman knows kids are going to eat candy regardless of what the dentist says, but adds moderation is the key. He says one way to do that is to allow the kids to pick out their favorites and give the rest away. Many dental offices do a candy buyback program where kids can get cash in exchange for their treats.
Another way to get rid of it is to donate it to an organization that will ship it to our troops overseas.