With Halloween quickly approaching, it’s critical to be mindful of the candies we consume because some of the ingredients can cause tooth problems. Bacteria in your mouth consume sugar and leftover food. This causes the formation of a weak acid, which can result in cavities. Brushing and flossing twice a day is a good place to start. This holiday season, simply being aware of our favorite candies should keep us cavity-free!
Here’s a look at some of the most popular Halloween treats and how they affect your teeth.
Chocolate
Chocolate is most likely your best bet, which is fortunate given that it is the most popular Halloween candy. It easily washes away from the teeth, helping to prevent cavities. Keep in mind that dark chocolate has less sugar than milk chocolate.
Sticky and Gummy Candies
These candies are bad for your teeth. They must be avoided. Because “the leftovers” are sticky, they are extremely difficult to remove from teeth. The bacteria that grows there could be the most terrifying aspect of Halloween!
Hard Candy
Hard candies should be avoided because they can cause tooth damage. You also chew these candies for longer periods of time, allowing the sugar to dissolve in your saliva and wash all over your teeth.
Sour Candy
Sour candy contains a lot of acids, which can damage and weaken the harder shell of your teeth. This may increase your chances of developing tooth decay.
You may want to consider more satisfying and healthier Halloween eating options.
- cereal bars
- snack packets of dried fruit, nut and seeds sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds
- graham crackers
- trail mix
- animal crackers
- single-serve packets of popcorn
- raisins and chocolate covered raisins
- fig cookies
- Jello with fruit
- applesauce
- sugar-free gum or hard candy
- gummy candies made with real juice
- mini boxes of raisins
- sugar-free hot chocolate or apple cider packets
If you have any post-Halloween tooth problems, please contact Luck Dental Care in Cypress Texas. We take pride in having cutting-edge dental technology and are fully committed to providing our patients with the best dental care possible.