With Halloween fast approaching, you can be sure your kids will be gorging themselves with bags and bags of candy. Unfortunately, the candy feast could lead to expensive and uncomfortable visits to the dentist if you aren’t careful. This is because candy contains tons of sugar, and the bacteria in the teeth love it.
When the bacteria in the teeth digest sugar, they excrete acids that erode the enamel as a byproduct. This corrosion is what eventually leads to the formation of cavities. Although outright restricting your kid from having candy is all but impossible, some sweets might do a little less damage to the teeth than others.
All of the staff have been extremely incredible. Dr. Thoms was amazing & really helped calm me before my procedure. Dr. Thoms answered any & all questions I have had & was extremely understanding when it comes to having dental anxiety. Robyn was the best X-ray technician I have ever had. She felt personable but still extremely professional. Throughout my life I have been to numerous dentists in hopes of finding one that will take my extreme dental anxiety seriously & not make me feel bad for it. I have finally found my favorite dentist. The Dental Anesthesia Center is my #1 pick if I had to chose any dentist.
Response from the owner:Thanks for your kind words and for sharing your experience. We’re grateful for your trust in our team and are pleased to hear you felt supported and comfortable throughout your visit. We appreciate your recommendation and look forward to continuing to provide compassionate, patient-centered care.
Hands down the best dental office in the area! They have always taken care of me and been very accommodating. The Doctors are the BEST!!! I would HIGHLY recommend this office if you are looking for a dentist! 5+ stars all around.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review and recommendation! We’re grateful for your kind words and are thrilled to hear that our team has provided a positive experience. We appreciate your support and look forward to serving our community with exceptional care.
I started seeing this practice as a scared middle age woman that thought she was quickly on the way to being toothless. Years later now, still working with the amazing Dr Behl and her amazing staff, I have been able to continue with my present teeth. Alway kind, full of grace, mercy and humor!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your thoughtful review. We’re honored to be part of your dental journey and appreciate your kind words about Dr. Behl and our team.
We have been taking our son to Dental Anesthesia since 2019. He gets his dental treatment and blood work done at the same time. We find the staff and Dr. Thoms highly professional. They communicate well and provide excellent treatment/services. Getting blood work done during sedation helps us a lot.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and for sharing your experience. We’re honored to be part of your family’s care. We appreciate your trust in us.
This was my first time coming to the Dental Anesthesia Center, recommended by my sister whose special needs son has seen Dr. Hoffmann for years. I have a very difficult jaw condition resulting from a car accident and Dr. Hoffmann made me feel so immediately at ease that I’ve scheduled some extensive dental work to be done later this summer. I also loved my nurse, Ashley, who was so attentive, sweet and knowledgeable. She made me feel not as an anomaly, but valued and validated, and I hope she will be with me during my upcoming surgery. Thank you, Dr. Hoffmann and Ashley, for welcoming me to your practice!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and for trusting our team. We’re honored to provide a welcoming, compassionate experience and will be sure to share your compliments with Dr. Hoffmann, Ashley, and the rest of our staff. We appreciate your support!
Chocolates
Chocolates are probably the best candies for oral health. Chocolates don’t stick onto the surfaces of the teeth and easily wash away. This is great since it makes the formation of plaque quite tricky.
Plaque is a mixture of food material and bacteria that cause cavity formation; no plaque equals no cavities. If your kid is a sucker for chocolates, it is best to go for a bar of darker chocolate with less sugar in it. Likewise, it would be best to avoid chocolates with nougat or caramel; these sticky substances get stuck on the surfaces of the teeth forming plaque.
Sugar-Free Candy
Sugar is the bane of dental health; sugar stimulates the rapid increase in cavity-causing bacteria in the mouth. So having sugar-free candy is a good bet for your kid’s teeth. But there are caveats; some of the sugar substitutes used in the production of the candy can cause health issues.
Some sugar substitutes like Aspartame and Acesulfame potassium have links to cases of cancer and other gastrointestinal problems. You should avoid such sugar alternatives at all costs. On the other hand, sugar alternatives like Xylitol are beneficial to oral health since they reduce plaque build-up in the mouth.
Candy With Nuts
Nuts are a great source of protein and fiber, so they are great for your child’s health in general. In candy, they serve the critical role of preventing plaque build-up by breaking up the sticky surface of the sweet, so less of it sticks to the teeth. The crunchiness also rubs of any plaque that was on the teeth already. If your kid has braces, you should be cautious about letting them have any candy with nuts because they might damage their braces.
Remember: Whatever candy alternative you choose, it should always be at the back of your mind that these are still candies, and they can still harm your child’s oral health. Candy, no matter the type, should be taken in moderation.
Contact the Dental Anesthesia Center today!
Whether it’s you or your kid that needs dental care, we’ve got you covered. We have a wealth of knowledge and experience regarding dental care and can help your family keep their oral health at its best. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
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The first two board-certified Dentist Anesthesiologists in the state of Missouri.
