Halloween candy: the tricks behind the treats By Dr. Kerry Gallagher, D.M.D. Spooky goblins,witches on broomsticks, black cats,pumpkins and candy corn - all of these conjure up childhood memories of ghostly Halloweens and trick or treating.Dumping our pillowcases and plastic pumpkins on the kitchen table to see our Halloween treasures, sorting through Smarties andTootsie Rolls to divide them into piles of favorites and then eating so much candy on Halloween night that our bellies hurt the next day - what child couldn't love Halloween? Though most parents would not prevent their child from overindulging a little on Halloween candy,most parents should want to know how to choose healthier candy - well, healthier for their children's teeth, anyway. Start by sorting out the truly sticky, gooey stuff.Any licorice, tacky lollipops, hard caramels, chewy candies, candy corns - these are the largest culprits found to cause tooth decay.Any very sticky candy that can lodge in the deep crevices and grooves on the chewing surfaces of teeth or candy that can get stuck in between the teeth is the most likely kind to start the decay-forming process.Those sticky candies do just that - they get stuck on the teeth, and the sugar in the candies immediately goes to work weakening the outer tooth surface, called the enamel. If these sticky substances are not brushed off of the teeth quickly and effectively, the teeth can be eaten away, resulting in tooth decay or cavities. Cavities are caused when the sugar in the candies mixes with decay-causing germs and plaque - a sticky film on the teeth that can build up with improper brushing.The germs mix with the sugar and,with the help of plaque, start to make decay-producing acid.The more plaque, the more decay. The more sugar, the more decay. So, when you are eating a particular candy, if your teeth feel as if they are sticking together or there is candy stuck in your teeth after the candy is long gone, congratulations! - you have just happily fed all of the germs in your mouth! Children who have existing dental work such as fillings or sealants or braces should beware of sticky candy. Any very hard, sticky candy adheres not only to the teeth but also to the filling materials used to fix the cavities.The filling material or sealant can become dislodged or fall out, leaving an unprotected tooth structure,making that tooth even more susceptible to decay.And for children with braces or other orthodontic appliances, sticky candies can cause the brackets or the wires to break and to need repair. So what candy can a parent feel comfortable letting their child eat? For starters, chocolate.Think about the M & M advertisement that the candy "melts in your mouth and not in your hands." All chocolate melts in your mouth. Since there is no sticky residue left behind, there is no sugar lodged in any tooth grooves or stuck in between any teeth. Once it is gone, it is gone.Therefore, eating pure chocolate does not harm your child's teeth very much.Chocolate melts before it gives the germs in your mouth the chance to do any major damage. Obviously pure chocolate is better than chocolate covered in oozing, gooey caramel! And making sure to brush and floss afterward, regardless of what sweets you eat,will help to wash away any residual sugars! Have a happy Halloween and remember: Trick or treat, brush your teeth, give you something sweet to eat! Dr. Kerry Gallagher Moran is a pediatric dentistry specialist and owner of Adult & Pediatric Dental Studio at 200 Bridge Plaza Drive in Manalapan. If you have any questions about your child's dietary habits or overall oral health contact her at (732) 972-0611.