Which Halloween candy is best and worst for your teeth?

Which Halloween candy is best and worst for your teeth?

With Halloween approaching, it’s critical to be mindful of the candies we consume because some of the ingredients can cause tooth problems. Bacteria in your mouth consume the sugar and leftover food. This causes the formation of a weak acid, which can result in cavities. Brushing and flossing twice a day is a good place to start. Simply being aware of the candies we enjoy should keep us cavity-free this holiday season!

Here is a list of popular Halloween candies and their dental effects.

Chocolate

Chocolate is most likely your best bet, which is fortunate given that it is the most popular Halloween candy. It easily washes off teeth, which aids in cavity prevention. Keep in mind that dark chocolate has less sugar than milk chocolate.

Sticky and Gummy Candies

These candies are extremely hazardous to your oral health. They should definitely be avoided. It is extremely difficult to remove “the leftovers” from teeth because they are sticky. The bacteria that grows there could be the scariest part of Halloween!

Hard Candy

Hard candies should be avoided because they can cause tooth damage. You also tend to chew on these candies 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 the harder shell of your teeth. This may increase the likelihood of cavities in your teeth.

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

  • 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

If you have any post-Halloween tooth problems, please contact Memorial City Dentistry. We take pride in having cutting-edge dental technology and are fully committed to providing our patients with the best dental care possible. We enjoy helping to make the world a better place!