Halloween is a festive time of pumpkins, costumes, and of course, CANDY! But if you aren’t careful, those sweet treats can be a big problem. To keep Halloween candy from playing unwanted tricks on your family’s teeth follow these simple guidelines for finding the best teeth friendly varieties on Halloween.
The bacteria in your mouth thrive on sugar so Halloween candy is an absolute feast! When the bacteria in your mouth eats the sugar from candy mixed with the leftover food in your mouth it produces an acid. This acid can eat away at your teeth and lead to cavities.
Don’t worry! You don’t have to give up on all the Halloween fun just yet. Splurging on Halloween candy is okay, as long as you and your family are taking care of your teeth by brushing twice each day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing each day, all year long.
Are there some candies that are better for teeth than others? Absolutely! To make the most of your Halloween treats this year try to stick with these types of candy.
Chocolate is one of the best candy choices you can make for you and your family. The calcium present in chocolate can help to protect your teeth. Chocolate also dissolves quickly, so it stays in the mouth and on teeth for less time. Dark chocolate is an even better choice as it has less sugar than milk chocolate and antioxidants and tannins. Dark chocolate also contains theobromine, which has been shown in research labs to strengthen tooth enamel.
The compounds within chocolate can actually help your teeth by limiting bacteria, fighting bad breath, and slowing tooth decay. Chocolates with nuts can also be healthier for teeth because the natural grittiness helps to remove sticky residue from the surface of teeth.
Otherwise known as sugar-free, xylitol sweetened candies are a great option for Halloween as they do not contain any sugar. There are many xylitol sweetened options available now, including favorites like hard candies and gummies. Even favorites like toffees and chocolate turtles come in sugar-free versions and are a great alternative to traditional sugar packed candies.
Don’t forget about xylitol gum! Gum is a long lasting treat, and when made with xylitol instead of sugar it can provide a fun and tasty choice that kids will love.
There are a lot of great alternatives to candy that provide a fun Halloween surprise. More and more houses are handing out teeth friendly options each year. These can include glow sticks, stickers and stamps, temporary tattoos, pencils, and trinkets like light up necklaces or spooky spider rings. If you aren’t ready to give up on handing out candy at your own house just yet, consider pairing a single candy with one of these treats as a special surprise for Halloween visitors.
Some candy types are worse for teeth than others. Here are some that can make the biggest impact on your dental health.
Sticky candies can be some of the worst for teeth. The candy attaches itself to the surface of teeth and in between teeth at the gumline. This sticky residue on the surface of teeth creates a buffet for bacteria and can quickly lead to tooth decay.
Like sticky candy, gummy candy also creates a sticky film on the surface of teeth. Because this film is harder to remove than normal food particles it gives decay causing bacteria a longer time to get to work.
Hard candy is just that- hard. And some of these candies are capable of actually breaking teeth if you aren’t careful. Avoid biting down on hard candies to keep teeth safe from breakage. Hard candies also pose another threat to your mouth. Because they take a longer amount of time to dissolve you keep hard candies in your mouth, and the sugar in contact with your teeth, for more time than other candies. The sugar in the candy has time to mix with your saliva and continuously wash over your teeth.
You may want to pass on sour candy this year. Sour candies are often sticky and coated in extra sugar. They often contain added acids that contribute to their sour flavor. These acids help bacteria to weaken and destroy the hard outer shell of your teeth.
While chocolate can be one of the best sweet treats for your teeth, pairing it with fillings like nuts or caramel can make chocolate a mistake. The sticky or hard nature of these filling can pose a threat for teeth by staying in the mouth longer and sticking to tooth surfaces.
Halloween is only once a year, so there is always time to make sure you and your family are taking good care of your teeth the rest of the year. November 1, the day after Halloween, is National Brush Day, and a great time to make sure you have a good oral hygiene routine. It is important to remember to follow these steps for a healthy smile all year long:
While Halloween night can be spooky for kids, it can often be worrying for you as you think of your child’s dental health. But there are plenty of ways to take a bite out of the impact of Halloween treats and make sure your child’s mouth is healthy and strong.
Are you worried about your child’s oral health? Has it been a while since your child’s last dental visit? If you are in need of dental care, just call our office at (626) 605-6601 and schedule an appointment today!
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