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Worst Halloween Candy for your Teeth

By October 27, 2021 No Comments

With Halloween right around the corner, it’s the time of year in which little ghosts and vampires, from all over, take part in the door-to-door quest for sweets. While this is always an exciting and of course spooky time of year for kids, for parents it can be a bit spooky for a totally different reason!

The only downside? Candy is still bad for our teeth. The reason candy is harmful to teeth is that bacteria in your mouth burn the sugar, creating acid as a byproduct. That acid then dissolves tooth enamel, and that’s what causes cavities.

The Bad

Sticky candy – The worst offenders? Chewy candies like taffy and anything gummy because they linger on the teeth, which gives them more time to cause tooth decay. Caramels are in this group too and all of these can do damage to fillings, braces, and orthodontic appliances.

Sour candies – These are bad for teeth in two ways since they contain both sugar and acid. The acid breaks down tooth enamel, which is the hard outer shell that protects teeth.

Lollipops – Like their cousins, hard candies, these are meant to be enjoyed slowly, meaning teeth are exposed to sugar for a lot longer than they are with treats you chew quickly. And if you dare to bite down on one, the American Dental Association warns it can fracture a tooth if you’re not careful!

The Good:

  • Chocolates – It turns out one of the tastiest things to find in your kids’ Halloween haul is actually one of the best when it comes to oral hygiene. Dr. Messina explains that because chocolate doesn’t linger on teeth for too long, it’s less of a risk for tooth decay than some other candy options.
  • Candy Corn
  • Even though candy corn is a Halloween candy trademark, it is one of the worst Halloween candies for you teeth. Candy corn has lasting negative effects on your teeth because it has a high amount of sugar, which can lead to tooth decay.
  • Caramel Apple Suckers
  • Caramel apple suckers are also a huge symbol of Halloween. However, as good tasting as they are, they are extremely bad for your teeth. Not only do they have a caramel coating that can get stuck in your teeth, but they also have a high amount of sugar that can cause tooth decay.
  • Chewy Candy
  • Chewy candy like Starburst and gummy bears can hit the spot sometimes, but also cause cavities in your teeth. Chewy candy is one of the worst candies for your teeth because it gets stuck in the crevices of your teeth, unable to be removed by your toothbrush alone. This can lead to tooth decay.
  • Filled Chocolates
  • Candy bars are one of the most popular items to give out on Halloween, and will fill the majority of your basket. However, chocolates filled with caramel, cream, or coconut are bad for your teeth. They stick to your teeth like chewy candy, allowing bacteria to feed on it and cause tooth decay. 

Remember be safe and when black cats prowl and pumpkins gleam, may luck be yours on Halloween.

Come make Urban Smiles Family Dental your new dental home.

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