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.
Yes, my grandson has nonverbal autism and they took very good care of him.. He had to have some extra extractions which I was concerned about, but everything went very well. Very happy and I thank you all for all the work you did.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words. We’re so glad to hear you had a positive experience and that everything went smoothly. We truly appreciate your trust in us.
I took my son to an appointment today with Dr. Hoffman. We had a great experience from the time we arrived until we departed. The receptionist was very friendly and helpful. The dental assistants were very helpful and polite with my son. The doctor is very kind and patient. They explain everything as we went through the process. We were aware of the cost from the beginning to the end and we're allowed to make decisions about how to handle my child's care and not shocked with additional charges after the fact. My child does not resist going to this office. Great experience.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad to hear your experience was positive from start to finish. Our team works hard to create a comfortable, transparent, and supportive environment for every patient and family. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback!
Dr. Thoms and everyone of his staff members are incredible. I was warmly welcomed and made to feel comfortable and relaxed. Which is saying something as I had not been to the dentist in years due to fear/anxiety. My procedure was clearly explained. The office staff was beyond helpful with payment and insurance. The day of my appt was exactly as planned. We started ahead of schedule! The technicians and assistants were clearly skilled and again, helped ease my nervousness. We finished all work as planned. And then Dr. Thoms sat with me and my husband to discuss “everything.” He is very thorough. And finally one of his staff wheeled me down to the elevator, out across the parking lot, and helped me into my van. Now that is service! Around 8:30 p.m. my cell phone rang and it was Dr. Thoms calling to check up on me. Wow!!!!! This man has all you could want in a dentist—kind, compassionate, thorough, understanding, excellent communicator, and skilled. I cannot come up with the best words to so highly recommend the Dental Anesthesia Center. It was a remarkable, yet simple, but thorough experience for me. If you are putting off going to the dentist and have anxiety or fears please call them. They will gently and competently take care of you. And no, this is not an advertisement/ commercial—I am a real live (satisfied) patient.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful review! We’re honored to hear that you felt welcomed, comfortable, and well cared for throughout your experience. Our team is dedicated to providing compassionate, thorough care—especially for those who may feel anxious about dental visits—so it means a lot to know that came through. We truly appreciate your recommendation and are grateful you chose us for your care.
The practice is top notch. Could not ask for better care.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re grateful for your feedback and are proud to provide high-quality care in a supportive environment.
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.
