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Could chewing these daily really save my kids’ teeth from Halloween candy damage? President of Ortek Therapeutics, Inc, Mitchell Goldberg seems to think so. “BasicBites are a dream come true for parents and their children,” he says, “Now there’s a delicious oral care product that can be enjoyed after flossing and brushing every day, not just during Halloween.”
I love Halloween candy just as much as my kids love planning their costumes months in advance and walking the neighborhood trick-or-treating with their friends. By evening’s end, they’ll have gathered gallons of candy and transformed our dining room table into a sugery mountain. We’ll sort the treats into bags for each child after snapping an Instagram-worthy photo or two and I’ll squirrel away some snack-sized chocolates as a “mom tax.” Kit kats are my favorite.
We’re not the only ones who go all out for Halloween. According to the National Retail Federation, Americans dished out $9.1 billion on Halloween in 2017. $2.7 billion went to candy alone. Yet Halloween candy is also notoriously terrible for teeth. Sticky, chewy candies are the worst offenders and the longer the candy remains stuck in your child’s pearly whites, the higher the risk of developing cavities.
We are healthy-food fanatics most of the time, so I don’t feel too bad about allowing my kids to enjoy Halloween candy in moderation. But still, I hate the thought of harmful bacteria damaging their teeth. I also hate the thought of the dental bill should they develop cavities. Is the celebration worth the risk? I’m torn.
The other day, an intriguing headline crossed my newsfeed: “A Chocolate Candy That Protects Teeth from Halloween Treats.” Say what?
Developed a Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine, BasicBites Soft Chews are clinically proven to maintain enamel health. They were tested in a double blind placebo controlled study. Here’s the lowdown how this works:
There are bacteria living on your teeth that feed on sugars and produce tooth-damaging acids. There are also good, ph-raising bacteria living on your teeth that convert arginine (an amino acid found in BasicBites as well as in healthy saliva) into alkali/ base. According to their website, BasicBites nourish these beneficial bacteria, which transform the arginine into “tooth-protecting buffers that immediately neutralize plaque acids and help maintain a healthy oral pH.” This forms a sort of shield, or buffer, on tooth surfaces. Plaque acids are counteracted or neutralized. Your mouth enjoys a healthy pH balance. Happy teeth ensue. BasicBites also contain mineral calcium, which enriches and fortifies tooth enamel.
I was intrigued. Evidently you just pop two BasicBites a day and either chew it or let it melt in your mouth to coat tooth surfaces. They’re safe for ages 6+, sugar free, gluten free, dairy free, contain no artificial flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives, and are only 15 calories each. They’re also helpful for those with dry mouth or a sweet tooth (guilty there). Harmful-sugar-acid-neutralizing, enamel-fortifying chews that that tastes like chocolate…. and they’re available on Amazon?
This mama just added them to her cart.
Could chewing these daily really save my kids’ teeth from Halloween candy damage? President of Ortek Therapeutics, Inc, Mitchell Goldberg seems to think so. “BasicBites are a dream come true for parents and their children,” he says, “Now there’s a delicious oral care product that can be enjoyed after flossing and brushing every day, not just during Halloween.”
A bag of 120 costs $39.95 and they’re available on Amazon and at www.basicbites.com.
By Jennifer Melville
