Considering Halloween is fast approaching and children and adults alike will be indulging in more sweet treats than they can shake a stick at, this is an opportune time to discuss the importance of good oral health. After all, candy goes hand in hand with sugar, and sugar just so happens to be one of the primary contributors to cavities and, in extreme cases, tooth decay. Indeed, irrespective of age or gender, failing to maintain good oral health can have severe consequences. Along with cavities and tooth decay, an unhealthy mouth can open the door to gum disease, notes a study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

According to researchers, some 46% of adults aged 30 or older in the U.S. have early-stage gum disease, and around 9% have late-stage gum disease that puts them at risk of losing their teeth. While it might go without saying, poor oral health can also spell trouble for kids. The same CDC study revealed that kids with poor oral health tend to miss more days from school and usually receive lower grades than kids with good oral health. While kids are less likely to struggle with gum disease, they are susceptible to cavities, especially those who consume a lot of candy and other sugar-laden foods.

The USDA and West Hollywood Dentist Reveal How Much Sugar Is in Candy

As adults, most of us have the mental capacity to make good decisions relative to doing things that will allow us to improve or maintain our health. And oral health is no exception. Most kids, however, don’t have the mental maturity necessary to make such decisions. For example, the average kid doesn’t know how much sugar their favorite candies contain, let alone what not brushing can do to their teeth. To help put this into perspective, we need only look at two studies, the first of which comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The second comes from yet another CDC study. According to the USDA study, 100 grams of the average hard candy contains 63 grams of sugar. The average chocolate candy bar of about the same quantity contains around 42 grams of sugar. While adults know the importance of brushing and flossing after eating these sugary treats, many children do not. And many don’t quite grasp why they should eat them in moderation.

West Hollywood Dentist Discuss the Importance of Oral Health This Halloween Season

Most dentists agree with the American Dental Association’s assertion that the onus is on parents to educate their children on ways to lower their risk of developing cavities. Believe it or not, teaching them these valuable lessons is not too difficult. And with Halloween just right around the corner, there couldn’t be a better time to share these valuable lessons. Firstly, parents should supervise children under the age of 8 to ensure they don’t swallow excessive amounts of toothpaste while brushing. The same applies to showing them how to brush thoroughly since doing so removes more plaque, bacteria, and food debris from their teeth, all of which can cause cavities. Second, parents should teach their children how to floss as it can help reduce their chances of developing cavities in-between their teeth.

Finally, for children over the age of 6, parents should teach them how to use an antimicrobial mouthwash to keep their mouths free of bacteria and germs that can cause cavities and tooth decay. Along with teaching the importance of practicing these good oral hygiene habits, limiting how much candy they consume is also helpful.

How a Halloween Candy Buyback Can Help Your Child Avoid Cavities This Halloween Season

Another way parents can help their children look after their oral health, especially this Halloween season, is by taking advantage of a Halloween candy buyback. For those unfamiliar with such events, Halloween buybacks are events that businesses, primarily in the healthcare sector, dentist offices included, participate in to incentivize children to trade in Halloween candy for healthier treats and other rewards. Some of the items given to children at these events include the following:

• Toothbrushes
• Sugar-free treats
• Hygiene kits
• Coupons for food, services, and various goods

All told, there are several things parents can do to teach their children about the importance of oral health. But one of the most important things they can do is to instill in them the importance of regular dental checkups. So if it has been a while since your child has had a professional dental exam and cleaning, consider scheduling an appointment with West Hollywood Holistic and Cosmetic Dental Care today.

Please note this is a temporary offer and you call our office to make sure if we still accept the candy buyback.