Some scary Halloween candy facts: Did you know that 54% of all Men and 46% of all Women eat candy on Halloween? By comparison, 87% of kids ages 6-8 eat candy on Halloween. And Kids eat four times as many hard or chewy candies as adults. (credit) 600 Million pounds of candy is purchased each year, which is the equivalent to the weight of 6 Titanic ships! Individually, the average American eats 3.4 pounds of candy on Halloween, which is equivalent in calories to 13 Big Macs! (credit)
What would Halloween be with out the candy, though? But the “trick” is to let the candy be a “treat”; everything in moderation! There are also better candies to choose, especially when it comes to the health of your teeth and gums. Stay away from the hard and chewy candies that can crack a tooth or pull an old filling out. Instead choose chocolate! Not only is it better for your teeth, but if you choose dark chocolate, it’s better for your heart health too! Dark Chocolate has more anti-oxidant properties that your body needs.
As you can see from the Halloween statistics above, Halloween can be just as damaging for adult teeth as children’s teeth. If you’re over 60, your oral health is just as important as when you were young. Here are habits to follow (credit):
- As you age, prescription drug side effects can cause dry mouth, which could lead to the risk of having more cavities. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids and consider using a mouth rinse that helps prevent dry mouth.
- Brushing and flossing daily is just as important for you as your grandkids. This will help prevent the cavities from the dry mouth. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and use a toothpaste with fluoride.
- If you have dentures, be sure to clean them every day. Bacteria can build up on them just as easily. Be sure to use specially made cleaners for dentures as regular toothpaste can be too abrasive and cause additional wear & tear faster. Ask your dentist how long you should take your dentures out.
- Visit your dentist regularly, and don’t wait until you feel pain. As you age, your nerves become less sensitive and by the time you feel pain it could be too late to save your tooth. Additionally, your dentist can look for more serious problems such as gum disease and oral cancer which usually do not cause pain until the later stages.
- When you visit your dentist, bring a list of all medications, allergies, and list all medical conditions. General health problems often manifest themselves in your teeth, gums, and mouth, so if your dentist has a complete medical picture, he or she can help you stay healthy.
- Quit smoking. Smoking increases the rate of tooth decay and gum disease and can hinder the success rate of dental implants.
If you have any questions, or simply need to find a dentist, please call my office to make an appointment today: 619-285-1200