A lot of parents that are particularly conscious of their
children’s oral health may worry about their consumption of
candy around Halloween time. Should parents be worried? The key
to kids and candy is moderation. Sugar, although harmful to
everyone’s teeth, is fine in moderation. The key to avoiding
cavities is to pay attention to the frequency in which children
consume candy. For example, on Halloween and for a week or so
thereafter, most kids have an abundance of candy to eat. It’s
better for their teeth to allow them a few scheduled times
throughout the day to consume candy, as opposed to eating it all
day long. As I mentioned in my previous blog, Does Chewing
Sugar-Free Gum Decrease Your Risk of Cavities?, cavities are
formed by demineralization of the teeth. After you eat, the pH
in your mouth drops. This increase in acid is a by-product of
the bacteria that reside within our mouths that feed on sugar
and other carbohydrates we consume. The acid then causes
demineralization of enamel, which turns into