JACKSONVILLE, N.C. – The Carolina Dental Specialty Center in Jacksonville is helping adults understand the root causes of tooth decay and how to protect themselves and their children from deteriorating dental hygiene as Halloween approaches.

While there is a general understanding that sugar is detrimental to dental hygiene, experts from the Carolina Dental Specialty Center wants people to truly understand why that is the case.

“There is a film that coats our teeth, which we call plaque,” said Dr. Jose I. Arauz a board-certified periodontist and chief dental officer at the Carolina Dental Specialty Center. “The sugar is absorbed by the bacteria in our plaque and creates an acidic byproduct that dissolves tooth enamel. Over time, and without proper dental hygiene, destruction of the tooth enamel can lead to cavities and decay.”

Arauz says that any candy that is not easily removed by brushing your teeth should try to be avoided, or at least not consumed in large quantities.

Gummy candies, taffies and caramel candies fall into this category, he says. Pieces of such candy can easily get stuck between teeth and are hard to remove with a toothbrush. The sugar from those candies is then given ample time to dissolve tooth enamel and cause cavities and other forms of tooth decay.

Hard candy, says Arauz, can also be a danger if adults or children chew it, which could lead to chipping or breaking teeth.

On the other hand, chocolate is a better choice for Halloween candy consumption because it can more easily be brushed out of the teeth.

Arauz says not to be alarmed, but to be prepared.

“We are certainly not telling people to skip out on their family fun time during Halloween,” said Arauz. “But at this time of the year, parents should take extra precautions to ensure their own dental hygiene and that of their families is in order. Brushing our teeth at least two times per day is especially important around Halloween. We should also remember to break out the dental floss and make sure that sugar isn’t lodged between our teeth. After brushing and flossing, we should rinse our mouths thoroughly with warm water to flush that sugar out for good.”

About Carolina Dental Specialty Center:

The Carolina Dental Specialty Center specializes in periodontics, robotic dental implants, and oral medicine. Dr. Arauz is a board-certified periodontist trained in dental implant robotics, as well as a Diplomate of The American Board of Periodontology and an active member of the American Academy of Periodontology, the Academy of Osseointegration and the American Board of Periodontology.

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