The Worst Halloween Candy for Your Teeth

The Worst Halloween Candy for Your Teeth

You know who loves Halloween more than the trick-or-treating tykes tromping around your neighborhood?

The cavity creeps!

When our kids eat sticky, chewy, sugar-laden candies – and don’t take a break to rinse with some water – it serves up a feast for the cavity creeps.

Don’t just take our word for it, according to the ADA, when the bacteria eat the sugar and leftover food in your mouth, a weak acid is produced. That acid is what can contribute to cavities.

But don’t hang up your costume just yet. “Halloween is about candy, dressing up and having fun,” says ADA dentist Dr. Ana Paula Ferraz-Dougherty.

It’s OK to eat that candy on Halloween as a splurge as long as you’re brushing twice a day and flossing once a day all year long.

So which candy is the worst…

What Is The Worst Halloween Candy for Your Teeth?

Some Halloween candies are worse for your teeth than others.

The worst Halloween candies for your teeth are ones which contain the most cavity-contributing acids namely:

1. Sour Candies
2. Chewy Candies
3. Hard & Nutty Candies

These types of Halloween candy tend to stick to your teeth for longer periods of time, or might lead to chipped or broken teeth.

It’s best to serve – and indulge in – these sticky, chewy, hard Halloween candies sparingly.

And if you do choose to eat some of the worst Halloween candies for your teeth, make sure you rinse with water immediately after you finish.

After eating some of these sticky sweets, you can fight off those cavity-causing creeps with good ‘ol fashioned H20 – but don’t brush your teeth right away!

Wait at least 30 minutes before brushing your teeth after eating.

According to the Mayo Clinic, if you’ve eaten an acidic food or drink, avoid brushing your teeth right away. These acids weaken tooth enamel, and brushing too soon can remove enamel.

What Is The Best Halloween Candy for Your Teeth?

Chocolate…preferably dark chocolate!

At least those without the sticky, taffy topped or nutty insides. Reason being, chocolate doesn’t stick to your teeth as much as some of the other sticky, chewy Halloween candies.

But again, do your own #socialdentistry homework on the worst Halloween candies for your teeth.

The ADA says chocolate is probably your best bet, which is good because it’s also the most popular kind of candy handed out on Halloween.

Chocolate is one of the better candies because it washes off your teeth easier than other types of candy,” Dr. Ferraz- Dougherty says. “Dark chocolate also has less sugar than milk chocolate.

And check out what Academy of General Dentistry says on the subject:

Sugar-free lollipops and hard candies stimulate saliva, which can help prevent dry mouth. “A dry mouth allows plaque to build up on teeth faster, leading to an increased risk of cavities,” Dr. Sherwood says.

Sugar-free gum can actually prevent cavities as it not only dislodges food particles from between the teeth but also increases saliva—which works to neutralize the acids of the mouth and prevent tooth decay.

Dark chocolate and its antioxidants, according to some studies, can be good for the heart and may even lower blood pressure.

Anyone notice the conflicting smile science here? What’s up with the hard candies…are they among the best or worst Halloween candies for your teeth?

We’ll leave that one up to you, and if you have any questions…ASK YOUR DENTIST!!

So Which Do You Think Is the Worst Halloween Candy for Your Teeth?

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