More than 90 percent of all children across the country are anxiously awaiting the green light from their parents to go trick-or-treating this Halloween evening. And when they come back home with bucketfuls of candy, parent get anxious about all the cavities that will result from eating sugary sweets.

Don’t let them eat all their candy at once, right? Not so fast.

Many dentists are advising parents that it is more important to limit the frequency of eating candy rather than the actual amount. According to experts, dental caries are more likely to develop when the teeth are exposed to acid created by bacteria when eating. Bacteria, normally present in the mouth, convert sugars and starches into acids. If someone eats candy throughout the whole day, the teeth get constantly exposed to damaging acid. The worst time for kids to eat candy is before bed.

Dentists recommend that children brush teeth after eating candy or at least rinse out their mouth several times with water afterwards. Alternatively, try buying back or trading your children’s candy for something healthier.

Do you have Halloween health tips for other parents? Please share them with members of Healia Health Communities.

Happy Halloween! Keep safe and healthy this evening.

_{Photo: Crystl, Flickr, Creative Commons}