With Halloween fast approaching, it’s important to be mindful of the candies we eat because some of the ingredients can cause tooth problems. Sugar and leftover food are consumed by bacteria 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 our favorite candies should keep us cavity-free this holiday season!
Here’s a look at some of the most popular Halloween treats and their dental effects.
Chocolate
Chocolate is probably your best bet, which is fortunate because it is the most popular Halloween candy. It easily washes away from the teeth, assisting in cavity prevention. Remember that dark chocolate contains less sugar than milk chocolate.
Sticky and Gummy Candies
These candies are harmful to your oral health. They should be avoided. Because “the leftovers” are sticky, removing them from teeth is extremely difficult. The bacteria that grows there could be the scariest part of Halloween!
Hard Candy
Hard candies should be avoided because they can harm your teeth. You also chew for longer periods of time on these candies, 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 increase your chances of getting cavities in your teeth.
There are more satisfying and healthier Halloween eating options 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 your child has any post-Halloween tooth problems, please contact Houston Pediatric Dental Specialists. We take pride in having cutting-edge dental technology and are fully committed to providing our little patients with the best dental care possible. We enjoy helping to make the world a better place!