As Halloween approaches, you should know beforehand what happens to your teeth when you eat some of your favorite candies. If you are going to indulge yourself in candy this Halloween, it’s better to know what your best choices are. We want you to be able to enjoy the spooky season while also keeping your teeth strong and healthy.
The Best Candy for Your Teeth
While there isn’t a candy out there that is “good” for you, there are some that are better for your teeth than others. We recommend not to eat your entire loot from trick-or-treating in one sitting, even if it is all candy on this list. Moderation is key to taking care of your teeth this Halloween.
Sugarless Candy
Sugarless candies are among the best for your teeth because there are less acid and bacteria to attack your teeth. Candy with sugar creates acid that attacks your teeth and weakens the enamel in your teeth. A great option to reach for when you’re craving candy is sugar-free Red Vines.
Sugar-free chewing gum is also a great alternative as it can help dislodge food from your teeth and increase saliva. Saliva is important as it helps neutralize the acids in your mouth and fight tooth decay.
Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate contains a small amount of sugar compared to other candy. It also dissolves quicker; the longer sugar remains in your mouth, the more damage it can do to your teeth.
Studies show that quality dark chocolate with a high cocoa content can also improve health and lower the risk of heart disease. It is a powerful source of antioxidants and is rich in minerals! The cocoa content is key because the less cocoa that is in it, the more milk and sugar and the less healthy it becomes.
Candy with Nuts
Candy bars with nuts can break up the stickiness. Sticky candies linger in your teeth and the nuts will force leftover candy to break apart. One of our favorite recommendations for nutty chocolate bars are the KIND bars. These can satisfy your sweet tooth and are also better for your teeth than most candy bars.
The Worst Candy for Your Teeth
Sticky Candy
Sticky candy is exactly that: sticky. It sticks to your teeth and the longer it lingers, the longer the acid and bacteria can break away at your teeth. It is very important that you brush your teeth after eating any kind of sticky candy, such as gummies, taffy, or caramel so that you can brush away any bits of candy that has stuck to your teeth.
Lollipops
Lollipops don’t seem too dangerous, but in reality, they sit in your mouth for a longer period of time than any normal piece of candy would. And if you’re thinking “I don’t suck on it, I bite it so it doesn’t last that long,” that can be potentially even worse! Munching down on hard candies can chip or even crack your teeth. It can also irritate the soft tissue in your teeth, causing lingering toothaches.
Candy Corn
A Halloween staple, candy corn is, unfortunately, one of the worst candies for you. This little piece of candy is essentially all sugar. If you were to eat 19 pieces of Brach’s candy corn, you would be consuming only 11 grams less than all the sugar in a can of Coca-Cola.
Candy corn is essentially pure sugar so there are no other ingredients to help get the sugar out of your mouth. This allows it to sit on your teeth longer, causing bacterial growth and tooth decay, which eventually can lead to cavities.
Tooth and Candy Tips from Park Avenue Dental
The best option for your teeth is to avoid sweets if you can. However, if you want to enjoy a few pieces of Halloween goodness after a long night of trick-or-treating, make sure to practice good dental hygiene during this time.
Make sure to brush your teeth after eating any candy, to brush away any leftover residue from the treat. If you don’t have a toothbrush on hand, a good swish of water will do the trick until you can get home.
Are you overdue for a dental checkup? This would be a good time to schedule an appointment to have your teeth examined and cleaned! If you have any more questions about your children’s candy or would like to make an appointment, contact our office today.
