Protect children’s teeth
as they enjoy Halloween

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By Helen Altonn
haltonn@starbulletin.com

Trick-or-treaters can protect their teeth and still eat Halloween candy if they follow certain guidelines, island dentists say.

"We have the highest rate of tooth decay in the nation," said Lynn Fujimoto, president of the Hawaii Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.

Fujimoto and Drs. Angela Chin and Wendy Wakai, representing the Hawaii Dental Association, urged parents to follow professional tips to protect children's teeth while letting them enjoy the holiday.

Both the National Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and American Dental Association offer ways to deal with the sugar overload.

"If you're going to eat candy, it's better to eat it with a meal than snack on it all day long," Fujimoto said. Also, sticky candy, such as gummy things, is more harmful than a chocolate bar because it sticks to the teeth, she said.

"Chocolate is good," Wakai agreed. "It kind of coats the tooth and protects it more than sugary things. Anything that stays on a long time, those are the worst."

Snacking also is worse than eating four or five pieces of candy at one time, she said, stressing the importance of minimizing the sugar on their teeth.

She said for years she has handed out toothbrushes at Halloween, but "I don't think they're (kids) happy about that."

Chin said she tries to give things to young patients that that are not sweet-related, such as rulers for school, hair clips and other items. "We're trying to get them away from sugar. There is so much sugar in what they eat -- cookies and ice cream, and crackers break down into sugars."

At home, Chin said she gives out a little candy and a toothbrush or toothpaste. "I don't want them to think life is totally denial but make it a little more practical."

Certain foods such as cheese, peanuts or sugar-free chewing gum may be "friendly" to teeth and eating those with or after foods containing carbohydrates may help counter effects of acids produced by plaque bacteria, the dentists say. Other suggestions:

>> Serve a healthy supper to leave less room for sweets during trick-or-treating.

>> Create a candy "bank" and allow your child four or five pieces of candy, then store the rest in a sealed container. Freeze chocolates and candy bars. Set times to open the "bank" for withdrawals over the next month.

>> Consider sugar-free treats for children or travel sizes of toothpaste and dental floss. Dried fruit might be more nutritious than gummy bears but both hold decay-producing acid against teeth for longer time than other snacks.

>> Don't give children ages 5 and under jawbreakers or hard candies that can chip teeth or cause choking.

>> Encourage kids to drink water throughout the day, especially after eating candy to rinse sugar from the teeth until they can be brushed.

>> Offer your child a brightly colored new toothbrush before bed as a final treat, and insist on a good brushing.