Why Halloween Is Really a Scary Holiday: A Dentist's Perspective By: Mark Burhenne DDS

    I see an influx of patients after Halloween, but not for the reason you'd expect. Cavities don't form overnight; it's the parents I see with broken molars from biting down on hard candy, claiming they are saving their kids from the threat in the Halloween bag.

    The problem with Halloween isn't the $1,000 per tooth it costs to rebuild these adult teeth with crowns. It's that these adults grew up with a tradition that perpetuates an unhealthy relationship with food and continue that tradition right to the door of the dentist. This dysfunctional tradition of binging and unbridled indulgence is costing us our health and sending the wrong message to kids.

    I think everyone of us as kids remembers when we first heard that everyone in the neighborhood was giving out free candy, and that all you had to do was a wear a silly costume and disguise your identity to gain access. And we all wore the costumes. And we all amassed the insane amounts of candy. Oh, but "don't take candy from strangers," we were told the rest of the year. What a crazy and confusing childhood, and all in the name of tradition.

    We spend $2 to $4 billion dollars on Halloween candy every year. I wonder what that translates to in dental costs, not to mention child obesity. Halloween is the second largest commercial holiday in America, superseding Valentine's Day with $6.9 billion dollars in commercial sales each year. And it's growing. No wonder it's a scary holiday.

    Parents, listen up: I may have a solution to this madness. I won't be buying back candy from my patients as other dentists do. I think that just confuses kids and gives the candy some artificial value (not to mention artificial coloring). And where in that dental office does that candy end up anyway? If I were a kid, I'd be thinking, "Hey, if the dentist is willing to pay for this stuff, maybe I just better keep it and eat it."

    I suggest that you invoke the spirit of the Great Pumpkin. Okay, I admit, this works only up to a certain age, but it does work. It's been tried and tested by yours truly. My three daughters to this day give the candy up to the Great Pumpkin. They certainly enjoy some of their candy the night of Halloween, but the bulk of it goes into a bag and out onto the front porch to await the arrival of the Great Pumpkin. In all his great wisdom, he brings gifts like books and software, something I'd like to teach my children are real treats.

    Linus and Sally of the Peanuts gang, who sat in the pumpkin patch waiting for the Great Pumpkin, were ridiculed by Snoopy, Lucy and the rest of the gang. They missed out on the trick-or-treating and all the candy, and in the end the Great Pumpkin didn't even come. Linus blames it on his wavering belief in the Great Pumpkin and, with chattering teeth, ends up getting dragged to bed by his sister early the next morning. Linus was a romantic, no doubt, but he had fewer cavities than all the gang except for, perhaps, Snoopy (since candy is even lower quality than dog food -- really).

     If your children eat candy, make sure it's under a controlled environment. Have drinking water available to them (to buffer the huge hit of acids that ensue within minutes of candy consumption) and a toothbrush nearby (for the mandatory tooth brushing session within 20 minutes of the candy consumption).

    Moderation is key. Having fun on Halloween does not have to mean developing lifelong bad habits or dysfunctional relationships with food. Try to break the cycle of stereotypical "candy worship" seen in children by replacing that Halloween candy with a far greater treat from the Great Pumpkin -- a book, a CD, athletic equipment or a new bike or skateboard. And brush, floss, and drink lots of water afterward to minimize the hit to your mouth. For you adults that break a molar on a Worther's Original, I can only help you later in the dental chair.

    So if for you on Halloween the treat is what's it all about, then the trick is really on you. See you next week, in my dental chair. I'm ready!


By: Mark Burhenne DDS
Dr. Burhenne is a dental health expert for CNN, CBS, and Huffington Post, which is where this story was first published.

ADA's Top 9 Foods That Damage Your Teeth

What you eat matters

While these hard candies seem harmless, eat too many and the constant exposure to sugar can be harmful to your teeth. Hard candies also put your teeth at risk because in addition to being full of sugar, they can also trigger a dental emergency such as a broken or chipped tooth. Better alternative? Chew sugarless gum that carries the ADA Seal.

 

Ice is for chilling, not chewing

You’d be surprised at how many people think ice is good for their teeth. It’s made of water, after all, and doesn’t contain any sugar or other additives. But chewing on hard substances can leave your teeth vulnerable to a dental emergency and damage enamel. Advice: Break the habit and enjoy water in its liquid form.

Watch your citrus intake

The truth is that frequent exposures to acidic foods can erode enamel, making teeth more susceptible to decay over time. So even though a squeeze of lemon or lime can turn a simple glass of water into a fun beverage, it's not always the best choice for your mouth. Citric fruits and juices can also irritate mouth sores. Make sure to drink plenty of plain water.

Not all coffee is good for you

In their natural form, coffee and tea can be healthy beverage choices. Unfortunately too many people can’t resist adding sugar. Caffeinated coffee and tea can also dry out your mouth. Frequent drinks of coffee and tea may also stain your teeth. If you do consume, make sure to drink plenty of water and try to keep the add-ons to a minimum.

Sticky foods are your mouth's worst nightmare

When it comes to picking healthy snacks, many people put dried fruit at the top of the list. But many dried fruits are sticky. Sticky foods can damage your teeth since they tend to stay on the teeth longer than other types of food. If you find yourself eating dried fruits or trail mix often, make sure to rinse with water after and to brush and floss carefully.

Beware of things that go "crunch"

Who doesn’t love the nice, satisfying crunch of a potato chip? Unfortunately potato chips are filled with starch, which tends to get trapped in your teeth. If you choose to indulge in snacks like these, take extra care when you floss that day to remove all the food particles that can lead to plaque build-up.

Swap out soda with water

When you eat sugary foods or sip sugary drinks for long periods of time, plaque bacteria use that sugar to produce acids that attack your enamel, the hard surface of your tooth. Most carbonated soft drinks, including diet soda, are acidic and therefore, bad for your teeth. Caffeinated beverages, such as colas can also dry out your mouth. If you do consume soft drinks, try to drink alongside a cup of water.
 

Limit alcohol consumption

Alcohol causes dehydration and dry mouth. People who drink excessively may find their saliva flow is reduced over time, which can lead to tooth decay and other oral infections such as gum disease. Heavy alcohol use also increases your risk for mouth cancer.

Watch out for sports drinks

They sound healthy, don’t they? But for many sports and energy drinks, sugar is a top ingredient. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, while sports drinks can be helpful for young athletes engaged in prolonged, vigorous physical activities, in most cases they are unnecessary. Before your next sip, check the label to make sure your drink of choice is low in sugar. Not sure?     Drink water instead!