Since Halloween is getting closer, you’re probably hoping your kids will really enjoy the holiday. After all, an evening of trick-or-treating can help take their minds off school and other matters. That said, make sure they don’t eat too many risky candies. Some treats are worse for teeth than others and could lead to cavities after Halloween. As for which is which, your North Grafton dentist can give you some pointers. Read on to learn the best and worst Halloween candy for children’s oral health.
Sticky, Gooey, & Gummy Candies
Some kids really love sticky, chewy, and gooey candies — things like Dots™, gummy bears, fruit snacks, etc. However, it turns out that these sweets are some of the worst for teeth.
You see, gummy and sticky treats often cling to your teeth. For that reason, their sugar content gives cavity-causing bacteria more time to work on your enamel. Therefore, limiting your child’s intake from this candy group would be a good idea.
Hard Candies
Regarding oral health, hard candies can be just as bad as sticky ones.
For starters, these products take a while to dissolve. As such, your mouth will be highly acidic when you’ve finished melting a lollipop or jawbreaker. That acidity can then erode tooth enamel and cause tooth decay.
Adding insult to injury, biting these candies is quite dangerous. Doing so often leads to chipped or broken teeth.
Chocolates
Perhaps surprisingly, chocolate is one of the *least* damaging Halloween candies. Its peculiar texture makes it easy to chew, swallow, and wash off teeth. Compared to other sweets, then, it doesn’t cause as much damage to your oral health.
If you do want to make your cocoa-based treat more tooth-friendly, though, there are things you can do. For instance, try switching from milk chocolates to dark ones. Since the latter kind has less sugar, they have an even lower risk of triggering tooth decay or cavities.
Sour Candies
Sour candies can be some of the most harmful ones to your mouth. They have more sugar than other kinds, plus they’re highly acidic. As such, they can weaken and damage your enamel.
Left unchecked, these mouth-puckering treats can cause you to develop tooth decay, cavities, and even gum disease.
Taking the items above into consideration, try to keep your child from cavities after this Halloween. That way, they’ll enjoy their treats without the hassle of dental problems.
About the Practice
Theroux Dental Associates is based in North Grafton, MA. As led by Dr. Tina Theroux and her partners, our practice combines world-class dental care and the latest technology. Therefore, we provide top-of-the-line preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry, not to mention emergency procedures. Whether you need a dental checkup, teeth cleaning, or tooth replacements, you can count on us! For more information or to book a visit, you can reach us on our website or by phone at (508)-839-2262.