Simple steps to ensure kids, teens and tweens protect teeth this Halloween When trick-or-treaters demand, "gimme something good to eat," they're hoping for candy — and lots of it. It's certainly part of the holiday's appeal, but a tradition that causes concern about the effects of sugar on kids' teeth. With a few simple strategies and common sense, however, parents can help protect their kids' teeth from the onslaught of sugar. "The quantity of candy kids eat is certainly something to monitor,but just as important is limiting the amount of time sugar comes in contact with teeth,"said Scott Navarro, D.D.S., dental director, Delta Dental of New Jersey,and a national oral health advisor for the Delta Dental Plans Association. Candy choice plays a role in this strategy. Hard or chewy candies, including suckers, caramels, popcorn balls and gum, are often the worst offenders since they can bathe teeth in sugar for long periods of time.Some of these candies can also cause additional problems or damage for people wearing braces and other oral appliances. Better choices include small candy bars and other candies that can be consumed more quickly and easily. "The stickier things are, like fruit cakes and jelly bears, the less likely they'll be washed out from between the teeth by saliva," warns Dr. Navarro."Any kind of candy that sticks to your teeth is more harmful than a chocolate bar that gets washed away." Grazing on candy can also increase the exposure teeth have to sugar.Grabbing a piece every now and then from a trick-ortreat bag over the course of a few hours, for example from after-school until dinnertime, brings teeth in contact with sugar over longer, drawn-out periods of time. Munching on a few small pieces in one sitting followed by a glass of water or a thorough tooth brushing is a better option for limiting this exposure. Oral health experts long ago identified sugar as the monster behind tooth decay and cavities. If not removed by brushing or some other means, naturally occurring bacteria in the human mouth form a colorless, sticky film called plaque. Cavity-causing organisms within plaque feed on sugar and turn it into acid.This acid attacks tooth enamel and causes tooth decay. "With each American consuming an average of 26 pounds of candy annually, these strategies can be applied year-round. Let your kids enjoy some candy, then go back to eating a healthy diet,"said Dr. Navarro."Encouraging good oral health habits throughout the year, including brushing at least twice a day, flossing and visiting your dentist regularly, will promote good oral health habits for a lifetime.That's the best way to make sure that a little extra fun on Halloween won't be a setback for your kids' oral health." About Delta Dental of New Jersey Delta Dental of New Jersey Inc. is New Jersey's leading dental benefits company, providing or administering coverage to more than 1 million people through contracts with employers in New Jersey and Connecticut.The Delta Dental system offers seamless dental benefits administration for employer groups throughout the country and the largest network of dentists in the nation. For more information, visit www.deltadentalnj.com.