A dentist in West Des Moines is making her annual offer to children to buy their Halloween candy for cash.Dr. Steffany Mohan is offering to pay $1 per pound for unopened candy.Trick-or-treaters can bring their sweets to Plaza Dental at 1089 Jordan Creek Parkway on Oct. 31 from 3-5 p.m. and on Nov. 4 from 3-5 p.m. to receive the cash for candy deal.The collected treats will be shipped to our troops overseas so they can enjoy Halloween away from home."Kids can have all the fun of trick-or-treating, plus a piggy bank bonus," said Mohan in a news release.She said candy consumption is almost unavoidable this time of year, but there are both good and bad candy options.BAD CANDY OPTIONS:Mohan said the worst candy choices are chewy and sticky sweets, such as gummy candies, taffy, even dried fruit as well as sugary snacks, including candy corn, cookies and cakes are another poor choice."Kids will need to brush as soon as they eat sticky and sugary treats because these types of treats get stuck in the crevices of teeth and cause decay," said Mohan.She advises you should also avoid sour candies because they are highly acidic and can break down tooth enamel quickly.  If you do have sour candy wait at least 30 minutes after eating to brush your teeth to avoid brushing the acid onto more tooth surfaces and increasing the risk of enamel erosion.BETTER CANDY OPTIONS:Mohan said some of the better candy choices include sugar-free lollipops and hard candies which stimulate saliva, and help prevent dry mouth."A dry mouth allows plaque to build up on teeth faster, leading to an increased risk of cavities," said Mohan.Sugar-free gum can actually prevent cavities by dislodging food particles from between the teeth and increasing saliva.Dark chocolate and its antioxidants, according to some studies, can be good for the heart and may even lower blood pressure.LEARN MORE:To learn more about the Cash for Candy program call 515-224-5999 or online at www.dmsmiles.com