The Best and Worst Halloween Candy for Your Teeth
Time to Trick or Treat!
As the year flies by we are coming closer and closer to Halloween! This year may be different due to the pandemic, but under normal circumstances, children and adults alike dress up in their favorite costumes, carve pumpkins, and go trick or treating. After a night of celebration, it’s time to dig into some candy! But, what about your teeth? Keep in mind how candy impacts your oral health and use these tips to stay safe this Halloween.
The Worst Candy for Your Teeth
Not all candy is created equally. No one wants to hear their favorite candy isn’t good for them but we can all indulge in moderation. Find out which candies are bad for your teeth and why.
- Sticky Candy – this includes taffy, tootsie rolls, or caramel-filled treats like Milk Duds. These types of sticky candy are true to their name and stick to everything inside your mouth. This includes between teeth and in the grooves. The longer the candy stays in the crevasses the longer bacteria can feed off of it and cause damage.
- Hard Candy – this includes lollipops, jawbreakers, or Jolly Ranchers. These types of candy are known as “sucking” candy since you leave them in your mouth for an extended period of time to eat them. Since there is a long dissolve time that means the acidity in the candy is in your mouth longer and is causing harm to your teeth.
- Sour Candy – this includes Pixie Sticks or Sour Patch Kids. Similar to hard candies, sour candies are very acidic and high in sugar. An abundance of these candies can cause a breakdown in tooth enamel and cause cavities.
The Best Candy for Your Teeth
Now that you’ve heard the bad news let’s talk about the good! These candies should also be eaten in moderation but are better for your teeth.
- Chocolate - this popular candy is a good option because it doesn’t stick to your teeth, can be washed off easily with water, and dissolves quicker than others. If you have a choice of a type of chocolate dark is best because it has high cocoa content and is low in sugar.
- Sugarless Candy – since all the candy that is worse for your teeth contains a lot of sugar it only makes sense that the candy without sugar is better! Sugarless candy leaves no sticky residue and contains artificial sweeteners that bacteria cannot use to form plaque.
- Quick Dissolve Candy – this includes Smarties. Candy that dissolves quickly in your mouth is a better choice and will have a lower impact on your teeth.
Be Sure to Brush and Floss Daily
As you indulge this Halloween remember to maintain good oral habits. It is recommended that patients brush their teeth at least twice a day and floss daily. Then, when you are finished enjoying your treats, you can brush and floss to make sure your teeth stay clean and as healthy as possible!
Schedule an Appointment with Dental365 Today!
Dental365 wishes you a Happy Halloween! Be safe and be sure to visit one of our Dental365 locations in New York and Connecticut for a cleaning. Contact us at (844) 365-DENTAL for more information or to schedule an appointment.
