| Allan I. Abolafia, D.D.S. |  |
Allen W. Ackerman, D.D.S. |
| THE TOOTH TRIBUNE |
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Candy and its Bad Reputation Even if you're all grown up, you can probably still hear your mother cautioning you about developing a mouthful of cavities if you keep on eating candy. The truth is that eating candy does indeed cause cavities, but surprisingly enough, it may be no worse than many other foods we eat and enjoy.
Even well-meaning parents who avoid giving their children candy and, instead, feed them fruits
and other healthy snacks, may be "encouraging" cavities. Cavities are caused by bacteria that
lives and breeds in the mouth. Bacteria have a field day feasting on the food that remains in teeth
after eating. The bacteria produce an acid as they "eat." It's this acid which ultimately eats away at
the tooth enamel and causes cavities.
You probably have figured out by now that cavity-producing bacteria are just as happy to eat the remains of "good" foods as "bad" ones. Any food that contains carbohydrates, good or bad, can be used by the bacteria to create acid. The bacteria, simply put, can do their work consuming the remains of fruit as easily as by consuming leftover candy. The worst culprits, actually can be healthy foods such as raisins and peanut butter, because it is particularly foods which are sticky that tend to remain on the teeth and offer a terrific food feast for the bacteria. 
Candy, it appears is no better or worse a cavity causing food that any other. So why the bad
reputation? Probably because children and adults who indulge in eating candy are more likely than
not to have overall poor eating habits, ignoring healthy foods in their diet and substituting sweets.
So, what's a mother to do? The key for all of us is moderation. Eating a well-balanced diet is the basis not only for health teeth, but for a healthy body. Anything in excess can lead to problems. So, just make sure that you eat a diet that emphasizes healthy foods, stay away from the sticky stuff and brush after meals, when you can. |