This time every year, the leaves start to fade from green to brilliant shades of orange, yellow, and red. The temperature starts to drop, and shorts and t-shirts get stuffed back into drawers and are exchanged for sweaters and jackets. And while these may be the telltale signs of autumn’s arrival, there are also far spookier indications that announce the advent of something far more dastardly. And yes, it’s the best and worst candy for your teeth.
You know what I’m talking about, don’t you? Haven’t you seen the skeletons and spiderwebs all around the city? Haven’t you seen the witches and monsters running amuck? And don’t even get me started on the jack-o’-lanterns with their glowing eyes!
Yup, it’s that time of year again. Happy Halloween, boys and ghouls! We hope you have your costumes picked out because October 31st is just a handful of days away. And while we can all rest assured that the ghosts and goblins we see around town are make-believe, there’s something that haunts most Americans on Halloween – and no, it’s not Casper. It’s candy!
Halloween Candy Can Cause Creepy Cavities
Did you know that we as Americans buy nearly 600-million pounds of candy each year? I know Halloween is supposed to be scary, but for dentists, that’s a total nightmare! For all the parents out there, you know that candy means cavities, and cavities can put a strain on your budget. That’s why we’re sharing the best and the worst Halloween candy for your kid’s dental health.
The Worst Candy For Your Teeth
To be frank, anything really sugary in general is no good, especially in large quantities, but always urge against sour candies as they do double damage because they’re not just sweet – they’re acidic too! Just so you can be on the safe side this Halloween, here’s an actual list of the worst candy for your teeth:
Suckers or lollipops
Jolly Ranchers
Werther’s Original Hard Candies
Peppermints
Lifesavers (the hard kind)
Runts
Jawbreakers (because of the sugar and the hardness!!!)
Gummy worms, bears, rings, etc.
Gumdrops
Dots
Skittles
Jellybeans
Candy corn
Marshmallows
Caramel squares
MilkyWay Bars
Snickers
Butterscotch
And much, much more!
The Worst Candy For Your Teeth
Listen, we’re not telling you not to go out and have a fun night or enjoy your treats. So let’s compromise a little. Out of the candy world, plain chocolates or chocolates with nuts or peanut butter are better than the other candies we listed above. Don’t get me wrong; they’re still chock-full of sugar, but moderation and good hygiene are the key here. While we always suggest sugar-free candies to our patients, taking these tips and tricks into account should allow you and your family to enjoy some sweet treats without any of the spooky dental issues!
Schedule Your Next Appointment with Midtown Dental Group
Like we mentioned in our blog post last week, we know that some folks might be scared of the dentist especially around this time of year, but with Midtown Dental Group, you don’t have to worry! Stay on top of your oral hygiene this Halloween and book a dental cleaning today!
Fluoride is the name given to a group of compounds that are composed of the naturally occurring element fluorine and one or more other elements. Fluorides are present naturally in waterand soil.
2. What is fluoridated water?
Virtually all water contains some amount of fluoride. Water fluoridation is the process of adding fluoride to the water supply so that the level reaches approximately 1 part fluoride per million parts water (ppm) or 1 milligram fluoride per liter of water (mg/L); this is the optimal level for preventing tooth decay (1).
3. Why fluoridate water?
In the early 1940s, scientists discovered that people who lived where drinking water supplies had naturally occurring fluoride levels of approximately 1.0 ppm had fewer dental caries (cavities). Many more recent studies have supported this finding. Fluoride can prevent and even reverse tooth decay by enhancing remineralization, the process by which fluoride “rebuilds” tooth enamel that is beginning to decay.
4. When did water fluoridation begin in the U.S.?
In 1945, Grand Rapids, Michigan, adjusted the fluoride content of its water supply to 1.0 ppm and thus became the first city to implement community water fluoridation. By 1992, more than 60 percent of the U.S. population served by public water systems had access to water fluoridated at approximately 1.0 ppm, the optimal level to prevent tooth decay. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers fluoridation of water one of the greatest achievements in public health in the 20th century.
5. Can fluoridated water cause cancer?
The possible relationship between fluoridated water and cancer has been debated at length. The debate resurfaced in 1990 when a study by the National Toxicology Program, part of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, showed an increased number of osteosarcomas (bone tumors) in male rats given water high in fluoride for 2 years. However, other studies in humans and in animals have not shown an association between fluoridated water and cancer. In a February 1991 Public Health Service (PHS) report, the agency said it found no evidence of an association between fluoride and cancer in humans. The report, based on a review of more than 50 human epidemiological (population) studies produced over the past 40 years, concluded that optimal fluoridation of drinking water “does not pose a detectable cancer risk to humans” as evidenced by extensive human epidemiological data reported to date. In one of the studies reviewed for the PHS report, scientists at the National Cancer Institute evaluated the relationship between the fluoridation of drinking water and the number of deaths due to cancer in the United States during a 36-year period, and the relationship between water fluoridation and number of new cases of cancer during a 15-year period. After examining more than 2.2 million cancer death records and 125,000 cancer case records in counties using fluoridated water, the researchers found no indication of increased cancer risk associated with fluoridated drinking water. In 1993, the Subcommittee on Health Effects of Ingested Fluoride of the National Research Council, part of the National Academy of Sciences, conducted an extensive literature review concerning the association between fluoridated drinking water and increased cancer risk. The review included data from more than 50 human epidemiological studies and six animal studies. The Subcommittee concluded that none of the data demonstrated an association between fluoridated drinking water and cancer. A 1999 report by the CDC supported these findings. The report concluded that studies to date have produced “no credible evidence” of an association between fluoridated drinking water and an increased risk for cancer.
6. Where can people find additional information on fluoridated water?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Web site has more information about drinking water and health. It includes information about drinking water quality and standards. This Web site is located at on the Internet.
7. Key Points
Fluoride prevents and can even reverse tooth decay (see Question 3).
More than 60 percent of the U.S. population on public water supply systems has access to water fluoridated at approximately 1 part fluoride per million parts water—the optimal level for preventing tooth decay (see Question 4).
Many studies, in both humans and animals, have shown no association between fluoridated water and risk for cancer (see Question 5).
1. What is fluoride?