During this Halloween and candy distribution period, dentists are giving several recommendations to reduce the risk of dental caries.
- As Halloween festivities approach, dentists have given several recommendations to reduce the risk of cavities and other oral problems.
- Among other things, you should avoid lollipops and candies that stick to your teeth.
- Children should also be encouraged to brush their teeth after nibbling on the collected sweets.
If Halloween, celebrated on October 31, is one of children’s favorite holidays with its costumes and especially its candy hunt, their teeth appreciate it much less. Dentists from The Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS England) have shared their advice to limit cavities and dental problems post-festivities.
Halloween: candy to avoid during collection
“While we don’t want to be too draconian about a night of festivities, it should be seen as an occasion and not the norm.”explains Dr Charlotte Eckhardt, head of dental service at RCS England. She takes advantage of this intervention to remind people that sugar is very problematic for oral health. Indeed, in addition to being the primary cause of cavities, it increases the risk of gum disease (such as periodontitis) or even yellowing of teeth.
For the specialist, certain treats should be avoided to preserve children’s appetites. “One of the best things you can do is avoid lollipops, as prolonged consumption exposes children’s teeth to sugar for longer, increasing the risk of tooth decay”she indicates to the British press. Sweets that stick to the teeth, such as caramels, should also be avoided.
But be careful, candy is not the only enemy of teeth. Sodas and lemonades can also do them a lot of harm. The RSC England therefore advises parents to encourage their offspring to opt for water rather than sugary drinks during Halloween parties. And of course, you also have to be careful that children don’t eat their “loot” in one sitting.
The pros also have some recommendations for people handing out treats on Halloween. We must limit the number of candies offered to each child. Another solution proposed to reduce the risk of cavities: provide “alternatives such as stickers or playdough”.
Halloween: good things to do after the party to avoid cavities
After partying and snacking on candy, a well-known gesture reduces the risk of dental problems. It’s simply about brushing your teeth. “Parents should make sure their children brush their teeth with fluoride toothpaste before going to bed, even if they are tired”remind the dentists.
And they have a solution to get young candy hunters to run to the bathroom and wash up. After Halloween, give them a new toothbrush in their favorite color or with a cartoon character.
11% of kindergarten students and 12% of those in CM2 have at least one untreated decayed tooth, according to an article from the Île-de-France regional health agency published in July 2024. The organization also notes significant inequalities. In the large nursery section, more than 9 out of 10 executive children are free of cavities, and only 4% of them have untreated ones. Among the children of workers of the same age, only 70% have no cavities and 23% have at least one untreated cavity.
“At 5-6 years old, brushing their teeth several times a day is more common for children of executives (60%) than for children of workers (47%). This is also the case in CM2 where 79% children of executives say they brush their teeth several times a day compared to 71% of children of workers”adds ARS Île-de-France.
