Trick or treat! With Halloween right around the corner, it’s time to get ready for all that candy heading to a smile near you. But how can you protect your child’s teeth from the terrors of these sweet treats? After all, moderation will only get you so far. If you’re ready to start spooky season but want to reduce your family’s risk of creepy cavities, don’t be scared! Here are the best and worst Halloween candies for your ghoulish grin!
The Best Sweets for Your Smile
Not all candies are created equally. Here are three confectionary categories that are better for your teeth!
Chocolate
Chocolate is one of the most popular confections in the world, and rightfully so. That’s because it’s also the best candy for your teeth. While dark chocolate is lower in sugar, milk chocolate is also a safer bet than other sweets, because neither variety sticks to your teeth, harms dental work, and dark chocolate even contains important compounds that may help harden tooth enamel and fight plaque!
Candy with Nuts
Packed with protein and fiber, nuts are good for you whether they’re in candy or not, but when eating something sweet, they can help prevent sticky sugar from attaching to your teeth. Because they’re crunchy, they can also help scrub away plaque while you chew, keeping your teeth cleaner, too!
Sugar Free Sweets
Sugar free candies have come a long way over the years. In fact, many of today’s varieties look and taste just like their full-sugar counterparts, and many of today’s artificial newer sweeteners do not cause the same gastrointestinal side effects that some older kinds do. In addition to tasting good, sugar free candy also stimulates saliva production, which rinses away plaque and bacteria in the mouth, protecting your smile!
Beware… The Worst
Now that you know the best treats for keeping your teeth looking and feeling their best this Halloween and beyond, here are a few categories that are downright dangerous!
Hard Candies
Hard candies like lollipops and drops last a long time, making them popular favorites. Unfortunately, while you’re enjoying all that sweetness, you’re keeping sugar clinging to your teeth for an extended period, feeding those horrible, hungry plaque bacteria and increasing your risk of cavities. Thus, do your best to avoid hard candies, or consume them only in moderation.
Sticky Sweets
Sticky sweets like gummies, caramels, and taffy are soft and pleasant for children to eat, but unfortunately, they can be scary for your smile. That’s because they can get stuck to your teeth and dental work, loosening fillings or braces, and overstaying their welcome and giving harmful bacteria more time to thrive in your mouth. Thus, encourage your child to avoid anything too sticky in their treat bucket.
Sour Candies
Sour candies may pack a pungent punch, but they also can be downright dangerous for the tooth enamel. That’s because the acid that gives it that characteristic flavor can break down this outer coating of the teeth, leaving them brittle and more prone to cavities. Sours are also full of sugar which lingers on your teeth, effectively doubling their potential for damage.
Remember, with all the goblins, zombies, and ghouls set to wander the streets this spooky season, there’s plenty of reasons to be afraid, but with this helpful guide to the best and worst treats, there’s no reason your oral health should be one of them! Have a safe, happy Halloween, and for an added layer of protection, don’t forget to schedule your child’s preventive dental cleaning and check-up before the year ends!
About Our Practice
At Advanced Dental Care, our team of dedicated dentists are here to help protect the smiles of patients of all ages. Don’t let spooky sweets and terrifying treats hurt your children’s tiny teeth this Halloween. Schedule their regular preventive oral health check-up and cleaning today before the year ends! To book your appointment, visit our website or call us at 714-424-9099.