Tricks for healthy teeth

For many parents, monitoring the amount of candy their children eat at Halloween can be a frightening task. Alberta Health Services has some tips to make the job less scary.
 
“Candy is a big part of the fun of Halloween,” says Dr. Gerry Predy, Senior Medical Officer of Health with Alberta Health Services. “The trick is to make it healthy as well as fun.”
 
First of all, it is a good idea to set limits on how many Halloween treats your kids can eat and how often, even before they head out trick-or-treating. When they return, put the candy in a container with a lid and put it out of sight to help avoid the temptation.
 
Dr. Predy says kids should brush their teeth right after eating candy. The next best thing is to encourage eating candy with meals, as a dessert, rather than as snacks throughout the day. Each time sweets or meals are eaten, the teeth are bathed in acid that erodes the enamel and causes cavities.
 
Parents should also pay attention to the type of candy being consumed. Try to limit candies such as caramels and taffy, as they are sticky and may stay on the teeth for a long time. They can also damage fillings, braces and other orthodontic appliances. Hard candies or suckers are also damaging to teeth because they stay in the mouth for long periods of time. You may want to consider eliminating these from the candy stash altogether.
 
Other snacks such as cookies and potato chips also stay on teeth and can cause tooth decay. Even dried fruit can cause cavities. Be sure to have your kids brush their teeth after eating these snack foods.
 
Foods like cheese help to protect teeth from the acid. Try teaming a sweet treat with a piece of cheese. Crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples and carrots, as well as sugar-free chewing gum, help create saliva which is important because saliva helps weaken the acid on teeth. However, this is not a substitute for brushing.
 
Parents and others who don’t want to hand out sugary treats on Halloween night can choose other options such as mini-packs of crayons, stickers, fancy erasers, and pencils.
 
Residents with dental or other health-related concerns can call HEALTHLink Alberta to speak to a registered nurse 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 780-408-LINK (5465) or outside the local calling area, toll free at 1-866-408-LINK (5465).
 
Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than 3.5 million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.

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