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Recycling Leftover Halloween Candy

Twice the Candy-coated Halloween Fun

By Gina Roberts-Grey, LCSW

Karen Miller-Kovach, chief scientific officer of Weight Watchers International, Inc., recommends using inspiring and creative projects to promote self-control, healthy teeth and balanced diets. These options achieve that as they also give your family a chance to begin new traditions. This year, incorporating some new uses for all the candy your children go in search of will add to the anticipation of Halloween.

What Dentists Say About Halloween Treats

Candy is no more likely to cause cavities than most other foods. The important thing, say pediatric dentists, is how frequently a child eats. Every time food is eaten, bacteria living in the mouth produces acid. The acid typically remains in the mouth for 20 minutes after eating either a snack or a full meal. Children who snack frequently suffer multiple acid attacks, and that can lead to tooth decay.

So how should parents approach Halloween? Here's what the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends:

• Allow children to choose one or two pieces of candy after lunch and dinner since an acid attack is already underway due to the meal.
• Limit snacking to no more than three or four times a day. In addition to Halloween candy, choose snacks that contribute to overall nutrition and health. Snacks such as cheese, vegetables, yogurt and chocolate milk all are nutritious choices.
• Make sure children brush at least twice a day, once in the morning and once before bed.

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