Alameda Pediatric Dentistry & Pleasanton Pediatric Dentistry Taking Stand Against Halloween Sweets

Oct. 14, 2011 - PRLog -- Alameda Pediatric Dentistry and Pleasanton Pediatric Dentistry are offering parents a way to get rid of all the candy their kids collect on Halloween. Their goal is to encourage healthy alternatives to the traditional sugar rush at the end of October every year.

The day after Halloween, trick-or-treaters can bring their unopened candy to Alameda Pediatric Dentistry and Pleasanton Pediatric Dentistry and receive cash in exchange for these cavity-causing sweets.

They will be paid in $2 bills as follows:

1-3 pounds of candy: $2 (minimum)
4-5 pounds of candy:  $4
6+ pounds of candy: $6 (maximum)

The Candy Buy Back event will be held on November 1, 2011 at Alameda Pediatric Dentistry at 2125 Whitehall Place in Alameda from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on the same date and time at Pleasanton Pediatric Dentistry at 1443 Cedarwood Lane, Suite D, in Pleasanton. The candy must be unopened.

Dentists and staff will be on hand to help families donate their candy to Operation Gratitude, a non-profit that assembles and ships care packages to United States service members deployed overseas.

“This is our first year hosting a candy buyback and we hope to be able to collect lots of goodies for the troops. We’ll have a card making station for the kids to send greeting cards to be mailed with the care packages full of treats and toothbrushes for the men and women protecting our country,” says Dr. Binita Katheria, one of four pediatric dentists from Alameda Pediatric Dentistry and Pleasanton Pediatric Dentistry.

“We want kids to still enjoy the holiday and dress up in fun costumes on Halloween, but we are providing an easy and positive way to reduce their risk for decay as well,” says Dr. Katheria. “Not all candy is created equal. Candy that is sour and sticky is especially bad for teeth since it not only sticks to the tooth, but the acid that makes it sour can weaken the top layer of enamel making it easier for a cavity to start.” In some cases, some types of candy such as hard lollipops or sticky, chewy treats can lead to broken teeth and damaged braces.

Global sugar consumption for kids increases by about 2% annually and is estimated to be at 50 million tons per year, which means parents need to be sure their kids are getting regular dental care to ensure cavity-free smiles. Alameda Pediatric Dentistry and Pleasanton Pediatric Dentistry along with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommend that a child’s first dental visit occur when a baby gets his or her first tooth, or no later than the first birthday.

About Alameda Pediatric Dentistry and Pleasanton Pediatric Dentistry
Alameda Pediatric Dentistry and Pleasanton Pediatric Dentistry, located in the San Francisco Bay Area, specialize in oral health for infants, adolescents and special needs children. Both offices have a family-friendly atmosphere, helping children to feel comfortable and relaxed. Treatment is individualized depending on each child’s needs.

Pediatric dentists on staff undergo several years of additional training beyond the four years of dental school so that they are uniquely qualified to treat children, including those with special needs. They are on the faculty at UC San Francisco and University of the Pacific dental schools as well as have hospital privileges at Children’s Hospital, Oakland.
For more information: http://www.alamedapediatricdentistry.com or 510-521-KIDS (Alameda) or 925-846-KIDS (Pleasanton).

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Pediatric dentist with locations in Alameda & Pleasanton, CA for infants, children, teens and special needs children. Dr. David Perry, founded practice 30 years ago, named best pediatric dentist in the San Francisco East Bay in 2011 by Parents' Press.