How to Deal With the Post-Halloween Sugar Stockpile
Trick-or-treating and candy harvesting are all part of the traditional fun of Halloween but what can parents do when that pile of candy starts to rival Mt. Everest?
According to a 2023 report published by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the prevalence of dental caries in children remains greater than 40% in the United States. Despite an uptick in dental visits, it is the most common chronic childhood disease. Though multiple factors may be involved in the development of caries, sugar intake is a known major player.1
KIDS ON CANDY
If this year’s Halloween haul has been especially fruitful for the kids, parents may be staring down the barrel of an excess of sugar consumption. Though the effects of a sugar rush, long thought to manifest as kids hopped up on sweets, is debated, it’s hard to deny the risks of weight gain, systemic health issues, and tooth decay that are known to stem from such carb loading.
To combat the oral effects of sugar, some oral health professionals recommend eating candy in one sitting, then immediately following up with a thorough oral hygiene blitz. Because no tooth surface is safe from the damaging acid that is created when sugar meets certain bacteria in the mouth, every tool available in the oral health care arsenal should be recruited.
OPPORTUNITY TO EDUCATE
This is the dental hygienist’s bailiwick, and a perfect time to make sure your patients are up to speed on the latest information on oral care. With your guidance, parents can become toothbrush savvy. Instead of just grabbing any toothbrush off the store shelf, they will know to look for the age-appropriate ones with soft bristles.
When it comes to dental floss, the choices can be daunting. They can range from flavored floss and those endowed with fluoride to waxed, unwaxed, eco-friendly, and iterations with various thicknesses.
For very young children, who may not yet have the dexterity to use regular string floss, dental picks may be the best choice. These are available in colorful dental picks shaped like animals or superheroes designed for small hands.
And don’t forget the value of interdental brushes. Some offer antibacterial bristles and feature flexibility to address a variety of interproximal contacts. Sulcus brushes and gum stimulators are even available to gently clean along the gingival margin while massaging and stimulating tissues.
STILL NO END IN SIGHT
No one wants to put a damper on the fun of Halloween. But if the candy supply is unending, you can donate it. Local shelters, nursing homes, senior centers, and food pantries may accept it. Various charities may also accept unopened Halloween candy, such as Ronald McDonald House Charities, which caters to severely sick children and their families.2
Other possibilities for unloading Halloween booty include several that forward it to military personnel stationed overseas. Often, there is a type of program involved in which candy is swapped out for healthier treats. In fact, dental offices are known to partner with such programs, the goal being the prevention of tooth decay while providing a taste of home to deployed service members.2
Such programs include:
REFERENCES
- Krol DM, Whelan K. Maintaining and improving the oral health of young children. Pediatrics. 2023;151:e2022060417.
- Koenig R. Sweet ways to donate unwanted candy to a good cause. Today.
