“Cash for Candy” Program Takes the Fright Out of Tooth Decay

Oct. 14, 2009 - PRLog -- With Halloween only weeks away, many parents are concerned that their child has the perfect costume to wear. However, a bigger concern may be the effect that large amounts of Halloween candy eaten during the coming weeks and months will have on their child’s teeth for many years to come.

While consuming several pieces of candy in celebration of Halloween may not immediately harm one’s teeth, significant and continuous candy consumption will undoubtedly take its toll. Overexposing the teeth to sugary sweets can eventually lead to tooth decay, especially in young childrens' mouths. Hard candy, when bitten down on, can sometimes cause chips or breaks in the teeth and excessively gummy, sticky, or chewy goodies may get lodged in the back molars or between orthodontic appliances such as braces.

In an effort to try to curb undue dental damage from Halloween candy, a local dentist, Dr. Anne Stuccio of New Image Dental Arts in Exton (http://newimagedentalarts.com/), is offering a fun way to encourage children to adopt better oral health. Her practice is offering their first “Cash for Candy” buyback program this Halloween season. Children who wish to participate can bring their surplus, unopened Halloween sweets to the office to be weighed on a scale and then receive one dollar per pound of candy (limit $5 per child). In addition, the children will also receive a dental “goodie bag “ and be entered into a raffle to win an Apple IPod Shuffle. The event will take place on Tuesday, November 3rd from 4:00-7:00 P.M. at New Image Dental Arts on Route 100 in Exton and is limited to the first 500 lbs of donated candy. The office address is 319 N. Pottstown Pike, Suite 106.

“But, the advantages of the program don’t stop here,” says Dr. Stuccio. The candy will make its way overseas via care packages donated through Operation Gratitude to American troops stationed in Iraq. Children benefit by preventing dental damage in their own mouths and also have a direct opportunity to bring smiles to our military personnel with their donated treats.

“Letting children enjoy their Halloween candy in moderation won’t be harmful, as long as they have good oral health habits which is what we are trying to teach,” says Dr. Stuccio. “This will ensure that their smiles stay healthy well beyond this ‘frightening’ time of the year.”

For more details, individuals may contact New Image Dental Arts at (610) 363-0400 or visit their website http://www.newimagedentalarts.com/additional_section/Cash...