It’s time for the 17th Annual Halloween Candy Buy Back!

For numerous years, giving kids "Cash for Candy" during the Halloween season has been an annual tradition at Macon Smiles with local dentist, Dr. Sheila Shah. After recently joining Macon Smiles, Dr. Katie Garvin now intends for that fun tradition to continue this fall with her as well.

It's no secret that candies and cavities often go hand in hand. Indulging once in a while is fine - but only in moderation, and with special attention to prevent the negative after-effects that sugar and acidic candies can have on your smile. Because of this, Macon Smiles in North Macon, Georgia, offers "Cash for Candy" collected by kids during the upcoming trick-or-treat tradition, distributing it further to minimize exposure for kids who might otherwise consume excessive amounts from their Halloween holiday haul.
 

Here's how it works:

• Dr. Katie Garvin & Dr. Sheila Shah, cosmetic dentists in North Macon at Macon Smiles, 4929 Forsyth Rd @ Zebulon Rd in Macon, will pay children $1/lb. of unopened, wrapped candy.
• Drop off candy Monday, November 3rd through Thursday, November 6th, anytime during regular business hours of 8:30 am-5 pm.
• ALL candy donations are shipped, at the expense of Macon Smiles, in care packages to our troops overseas through Operation ShoeBox.

October is a particularly good time to consider some hard facts about teeth - which may not be as "hard" as you think. Teeth are susceptible to wear; and to erosion associated with some candies.

In addition to traditional concoctions of chocolate, caramel, and nuts, which can leave sticky, sugary residue on your teeth, requiring more attention during your oral care routine, the popularity of many "extreme" flavored candies offers potential for additional damage. Intensely flavored sour chewy candies, citric-acid-laced powders, sour gels and sprays, and powder-coated gummies typically contain erosive acidic properties that can damage teeth. Citric acid, the most erosive component in foods and beverages, is twice as destructive to dental enamel as hydrochloric or nitric acid!

Damage from exposure to acidic foods/beverages just before bedtime has shown to be the most harmful. Moreover, the damage is irreversible and costly to treat. Early detection and initiation of preventive strategies are paramount to minimizing long-term consequences. Contact Macon Smiles, Macon Family Dentistry for more information. Tooth erosion is surely not the "treat" expected from those candies with the power to do more than make you pucker.

Should you decide to indulge, keep in mind that any sensitivity to sweets is a good indicator that you may already have a cavity that could need attention. Don't let your October "BOOs" turn into "BOO HOOs." Take care of your smile!