Category: Journal

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, especially for candy-loving kids. On Halloween, they will fill their trick-or-treat bags with all kinds of confections. Then comes the holiday season, when sweets are often front and center. This sugary and sticky goodness can eventually take a toll on your child’s developing teeth. Nobody wants to be a Grinch, but knowing how to minimize the adverse effects and still allow kids to indulge is essential.

First, here is some yucky news about the sweet stuff.

The Good, the Bad, and the Sticky

Studies have shown that by the end of Halloween night, kids will have consumed about three cups of sugar while working their way through their haul. To put that into perspective, children should only have about six teaspoons of added sugar daily. Think of sugar as the kryptonite of teeth. It creates acid, which eats away tooth enamel and may eventually cause cavities.

Kids also love to eat anything sticky and gooey, like caramels, taffy, Sour Patch Kids, licorice, and gum. As tasty and fun as these candies are, they tend to stick to the teeth, forcing the sugar to stay on the enamel even longer. It can be hard to brush them off; the longer they sit on the tooth, the more damage can occur.

“Hard candy is the worst offender,” said Dr. Dorothy Baker of Summerville Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics. “It stays in your mouth for a long time and can also break your teeth.”

Sweets in Moderation

But there is good news: You don’t have to ban the treats. Instead, Baker said that incorporating a sweet into a meal neutralizes the effects of the sugar. “If you are going to eat sugar, it’s better to do it at the same time as a balanced meal,” said Baker. “Rather than serving dessert last, incorporate it into your holiday meal. Healthy foods help neutralize the acids in sugar, and they also displace sugar from your teeth.”

Some candies your child may eat are better for their teeth than others. “Unless your child is allergic, stick with plain chocolate such as Hershey Kisses or even peanut butter cups,” said Baker. “Chocolate doesn’t stick to the teeth as much as, say, caramels do and can be easily brushed away. If your child likes dark chocolate, it’s even better. Dark chocolate has less sugar than milk chocolate.”

Choosing softer treats is even more important if your child is wearing braces. “Take a good look at their trick-or-treat bags and remove sticky candies such as gummy worms, jellybeans, Skittles, Mike & Ikes, Tootsie Rolls, and Swedish Fish,” said Baker. “These types of candies can pull off the brackets and force a visit to fix them.”

Since there are no guarantees that trick-or-treating will result in your child receiving candies they are allowed to eat, consider stocking up on safe candies. “Then let your child swap out the ones they can’t have for the ones they can,” said Baker.

Once the night is done and the children have indulged in a few small treats, divvy up the rest for the upcoming days. “Make sure you keep on top of good brushing habits to prevent any damage the candy can cause,” said Baker. “Have them brush their teeth immediately after eating candy. It takes about 20 minutes before the corrosive acids are released onto the teeth.”

Building good habits

Now that the candy is in the house, your children will regularly ask if they can have more. “Make a conscious effort to balance their diet with healthy snacks and lots of water,” said Baker.

Most importantly, do not leave the big bowl of treats on the dining room table where they can grab something whenever they want. “Ration out their treats so they last awhile,” said Baker.

The next few months are filled with fun and many sweets. Start to set a positive routine now to protect your children’s teeth. They can still have sweets, and you can rest assured that you’re doing the best for your child’s dental health.

Contact Summerville Pediatric Dentistry at (843) 821-6433 for more information or to make an appointment at one of our convenient locations.

Going to the dentist can be scary and overwhelming for people with autism. This includes both children and adults. Various factors, such as the sounds of the drill, the smells, the taste of mouthwash or toothpaste, the crowded waiting room, or the anticipation of having their mouth touched can make a dental visit particularly challenging.

The good news is that a variety of tips and techniques are available to help make the appointment as calm and gentle as possible for the patient. After all, your child’s dental care is important.

Finding the Right Dentist: A positive experience starts before the patient even walks through the door. Finding a dentist experienced in treating children with different sensory/special healthcare backgrounds. At Summerville Pediatric Dentistry, we are equipped and trained to handle sensory issues and other needs of patients on the spectrum.

Talk to Your Child: If your child is old enough, talk to them and show them pictures of what they might see or hear during their dental procedure . Doing a tour so they can see the waiting room and become familiar with the office before their dental appointment may help.

Talk to the Dentist/Office: It’s just as important for the dentist to know about your child’s needs, so be sure to share any relevant information about your child that could help improve their experience. For example, if your child does not feel comfortable with the dental team being so close to them, you may want to consider other accommodations. If a crowded waiting room is an issue, ask if an appointment at a less busy time is possible.

Desensitization: If possible and under a non-emergency situation, gradually introducing the patient to the dental office, exam, and procedures might help to desensitize the experience and the anxiety around the appointment. As each visit results in a more positive experience, the patient might feel more at ease.

Sedation dentistry: Beyond a routine visit, the patient may need a procedure such as a filling, crown, root canal, or extraction. If the patient has trouble staying still during their appointment, they can try sedation dentistry. This can include nitrous oxide (also called ‘laughing gas’), IV sedation, oral sedatives, or general anesthesia.

The American Dental Association supports using nitrous oxide to reduce anxiety during appointments, as it has few side effects. However, for patients younger than five years old or who are crying and breathing through their mouth, it may not work.

Keep in mind that nitrous oxide allows patients to be mildly awake during the procedure. Be sure to inform the team if that might be an issue.

Conscious Sedation: If your child needs a little more sedation, conscious sedation might be a solution. Keep in mind that these sedatives (in pill or liquid form) can have side effects, and each patient with autism reacts differently to them.

Before the visit, we recommend that you have a doctor examine your child. The doctor will check for breathing problems, existing medical conditions, tonsil size, and other medical issues. This will help ensure your child’s health and well-being during the visit.

General Anesthesia: Finally, general anesthesia, where the patient is completely asleep, is the final option and must be administered by a dental or medical anesthesiologist or certified registered nurse anesthetist in a hospital or fully equipped healthcare center.

Building a good relationship with a dentist early and discussing options before any procedures is important. This will help your child have a positive and calm experience at the dentist.

For more information, Contact Summerville Pediatric Dentistry to make an appointment and discuss your child’s needs with our office. We’re happy to help answer any questions or concerns.