What is the best and worst Halloween candy for your teeth?

What is the best and worst Halloween candy for your teeth?

With Halloween just around the corner, it’s important to be mindful of the candies we eat because some of the ingredients can cause tooth problems. Bacteria in your mouth eats the sugar and leftover food in your mouth. This results in the formation of a weak acid, which can lead to cavities. Brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day is a good place to begin. Simply being aware of the candies we enjoy should keep us cavity-free during this fun holiday!

Here is a list of popular Halloween candies and their effects on your teeth.

Chocolate

Chocolate is probably your best bet, which is fortunate because it is the most popular Halloween candy. It easily washes off teeth, which is helpful in preventing cavities. Remember that dark chocolate contains less sugar than milk chocolate.

Sticky and Gummy Candies

These candies are extremely harmful to your mouth. They are definitely to be avoided. Because they are sticky, it is extremely difficult to remove “the leftovers” from teeth. The bacteria that grows there could be the most terrifying aspect of Halloween!

Hard Candy

Hard candies should be avoided because they can break teeth. You also tend to keep these candies in your mouth for longer periods of time, allowing the sugar to dissolve in your saliva and wash all over your teeth.

Sour Candy

Sour candy contains a lot of acids, which can damage and weaken your teeth’s harder shell. This may make your teeth more prone to cavities.

There are more satisfying and healthier alternatives that you may want to consider eating on Halloween.

  • cereal bars
  • snack packets of dried fruit, nut and seeds sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds
  • graham crackers
  • trail mix
  • animal crackers
  • single-serve packets of popcorn
  • raisins and chocolate covered raisins
  • fig cookies
  • Jello with fruit
  • applesauce
  • sugar-free gum or hard candy
  • gummy candies made with real juice
  • mini boxes of raisins
  • sugar-free hot chocolate or apple cider packets

Forestwood Dental in Spring Cypress, Texas welcomes you to come see us if you have any post-Halloween tooth problems. We take pride in having cutting-edge dental technology and are truly committed to providing our patients with the highest quality dental care. We love being a part of making the world a happier place!