October is here and you know what that means. Halloween is only 29 days away!
This also brings up a common question about what Halloween candy is best for your teeth?
Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate is by far the best candy for your teeth. Other compounds in cocoa beans also have antibacterial effect and can help fight plaque. Obviously, milk chocolate contains fewer cocoa beans and. Therefore, less of those beneficial compounds but significantly more sugar, which is again bad for your teeth and good for bacteria.
Sugarless Candy
Yes, sugarless sweets do exist! Since sugar feeds bacteria and upsets the healthy ratios of acidity and bacteria in the mouth, sugarless candy may be a healthier option for your teeth. On the flip side, some sugar substitutes and sugarless candy can have other chemicals in them that may be detrimental to your health in other ways. Always make sure to check the ingredients in products that you purchase for harsh chemical components.
Candy with Nuts
A lot of nuts in candies or candy bars can help reduce stickiness. It is the stickiness of candy that increases your chances of getting cavities. Having nuts, along with protein and fiber they contain, can reduce the damage of the sticky and sweet ingredients of the candy. Nuts can also help break up some of the bacterial biofilm of the teeth.
These are the worst Halloween candies for your teeth:
Sticky Candy
The stickier the candy, the worse it is for your teeth. The negative effect of these sticky candies will linger because they literally stick to your teeth increasing your chances of getting a cavity. The same unfortunately also goes for dried fruit, which is just as bad for your teeth because of the stickiness and high concentration of sugar.
Lollipops
When it comes to judging how bad a candy is for your teeth, duration of exposure is more harmful than frequency or quantity. If you eat your candy quickly and then brush and floss your teeth, its harmful effect is over quickly too, at least for your teeth. It is much better than sucking on a candy for an extended period, which is usually the case with lollipops
Sour Candy
Sour candies, including gummy worms, are worse for your teeth because they are the most acidic. Acid is bad for your teeth as it wears down the tooth enamel, which protects your teeth. This makes it easier for teeth to become chipped or broken. Enamel also insulates the tooth. A lack of enamel can expose the nerves in your teeth, which are extremely sensitive to changes in temperature of the things you eat and drink.
Now, since Halloween comes once a year, there is nothing wrong with indulging in the delicious treats, candy, and sweets that come with the fun of trick or treating. Enjoy any of the above listed candies in small amounts, and limit your kids to a certain number of treats per day. Another great idea is to set some tooth-brushing rules for kids. Long term harm will not come to teeth that are brushed and cared for after indulging in the occasional seasonal sweets!