GLENDALE, Ariz. (Dec. 8, 2015) - ‘Tis the season and it’s good to be Santa Claus. According to a new nationwide poll released by Delta Dental of Arizona, the jolly old elf is ahead in the polls with a key constituency, 6-12 year olds, barely outpacing the Tooth Fairy.
The poll finds children’s belief in St. Nick is outpacing that of other magical characters known to make home visits. According to parents, 66% say their child believes in Santa Claus vs. 64% who say their child believes in the Tooth Fairy.1 Other famous characters, such as the Easter Bunny and Uncle Sam, have some convincing to do.
When it comes to what Santa brings down the chimney, moms and dads can agree with dentists that toys are preferable to treats. Rather than ban all goodies, Delta Dental of Arizona encourages moderation, especially when it comes to these common sweets:
“No one wants to be the Grinch about enjoying all the special experiences of the holidays, particularly when it comes to eating those tasty seasonal treats,” said Sandi Perez, PhD, vice president of community benefit for Delta Dental of Arizona. “Try to enjoy in moderation and remember to choose treats that melt or disappear quickly in your mouth. The longer teeth are exposed to sugar, the longer bacteria can feed on it and create cavity-causing acids.”
Delta Dental of Arizona recommends following these four tips to keep holiday indulgences more tooth-friendly:
About Delta Dental of Arizona
Delta Dental of Arizona is the leading dental benefits provider in Arizona, serving more than 892,000 enrollees and more than 3,200 contracted dentists across the state. Passionate about oral health and its importance to generations of families, Delta Dental of Arizona has worked for more than 40 years to improve oral health by emphasizing preventive care and making dental coverage accessible to a wide variety of employers, groups and individuals. For more information about Delta Dental of Arizona, visit www.deltadentalaz.com.
1 The survey was conducted by Kelton Global on behalf of the Delta Dental Plans Association between December 2, 2014 and January 2, 201 among 1,325 parents of children ages 12 and under. The margin of error is +/-2.7 percent.