Halloween kicks off the slew of holidays that take us through the end of the year. Sugary treats may be difficult to avoid this time of year, but there are certainly some choices that are better than others. Here’s a list of the top three WORST Halloween candies for your teeth. These are NOT dentist-approved!
#3 – Sour Candy
A popular choice for candy-lovers, this type of sweet is both sour in taste and consequences. The acid that gives sour candy its flavor can weaken your tooth enamel, making them prime targets for cavities. Because acid can corrode those teeth over time, the few moments of pleasure aren’t worth the potential long-term trouble.
#2 – Hard Candy
Hard candy has a lot of overlap with sticky candy, making it one of the worst candy types for your teeth. The more pertinent reason hard candy is terrible for your chompers is the temptation to bite down on them. Biting down on hard candies puts your teeth at risk for damage such as tooth fractures. Hard candy also takes longer to dissolve, so sugar is in the mouth longer than other candy types. Consider avoiding the lollipops this year!
#1 – Sticky Candy
The #1 worst candy for your teeth is sticky candy. This year, it would be a good idea to skip the stickier sweets, like toffees or caramels, as they are known to hang onto the teeth after consumption. Sticky bites are the absolute worst Halloween candies for your teeth because when sugar lingers in the mouth, it creates the perfect breeding ground for bacteria to thrive. As a rule of thumb, if it sticks to your teeth, it’s a trick and not a treat!
The Best Halloween Candy for Your Teeth
It might seem like this list of the worst candies for your teeth leaves you with limited options. Fear not! Chocolate is better for you and is a great alternative to these sweets. According to American Dental Association dentist Dr. Ana Paula Ferraz-Dougherty, chocolate is better because it washes off the surface of your teeth more easily than other sweets. Go for dark chocolate if it’s available when looking for the healthiest choice.
It's best to consume candy after meals, which helps cut the time spent exposing teeth to sugar. As for aftercare, be sure to brush and floss your teeth after consuming candy, and twice a day in general.
