DATE: Friday, October 31, 1997              TAG: 9710310129

SECTION: DAILY BREAK             PAGE: E1   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: STAFF REPORT 

                                            LENGTH:   38 lines

HAPPY HORROR WEEN TELL YOUR MOM - CANDY WON'T DO TEETH TOO MUCH HARM

IS YOUR MOM worried about what all that Halloween candy will do to your teeth? Is dad thinking about postponing your trip to the dentist's office? Fear not. Pediatric dentists say Halloween comes once a year, and you can enjoy Halloween treats without harm to your teeth if (there's always an if) the snacking is done sensibly.

Candy is no more likely to cause cavities than other foods. The important thing is how frequently you eat sweets. Every time food is eaten, acid is produced by bacteria living in the mouth. The acid typically remains in the mouth for 20 minutes after eating either a snack or a full meal. Those who snack frequently suffer multiple acid attacks, and that can lead to tooth decay.

So, here are a few tips for your parents and for those of you who will baby-sit trick-or-treaters:

Allow children to choose one or two pieces of candy after lunch and dinner since an acid attack is already under way due to the meal.

Limit snacking to no more than three or four times a day and choose a snack that contributes to overall nutrition and health.

Make sure children brush at least twice a day, once in the morning and once before bed.

A child who licks a piece of hard candy every few minutes to make it last, or slowly sips a sugary drink while studying, is flirting with a high risk of tooth decay. Such long-lasting snacks create an acid attack on teeth for the entire time they are in the mouth. MEMO: Source: American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photo]

Sweet Tarts

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