Fall is the time of year that’s full of caramel apples, pumpkin spice lattes, and Halloween candy by the bucket-full.
Although everyone knows that sugar is harmful to teeth, not all Halloween candy and treats are created equal. The family dentists at Dakota Dental have tips to make sure patients don’t get tricked by their treats this Halloween.
Some of the spookiest candy for your teeth are sticky candies like taffy or candy that’s filled with caramel or nuts. These sticky treats get lodged in the grooves of your teeth and stay there for longer periods of time. The longer sugary foods sit on the surface of your teeth, the longer harmful bacteria feed off of it and produce cavity-causing acids.
Hard candies are another type of treat that will haunt your teeth! Since hard candies like suckers dissolve slowly, they’re feeding bacteria in your mouth with a steady stream of sugar. Even trying to bypass this issue by crunching these candies can be problematic – since they are so hard, you may end up with a chipped tooth trying to crack through them.
Sour candies are another candy culprit – their high acidity can break down the tooth’s protective enamel quickly, leaving teeth more susceptible to cavities, tooth decay, and other oral health problems.
Finding sugar-free candy options is a great way to still enjoy Halloween treats without the harmful side effects. Solid chocolate, especially dark chocolate with no sticky centers, is another option that’s not too hard on teeth.
If you choose to indulge in sugary snacks this Halloween, the dentists at Dakota Dental recommend you follow their preventative dental care tips and rinse your mouth with water after eating candy, and being sure to thoroughly brush your teeth shortly after having those sugary treats.