Halloween is a magical time filled with costumes, spooky fun, and plastic pails brimming with candy! But while your child shivers with anticipation for sweet treats, you’re probably quaking with fear at the prospect of cavities. After all, not all candies are equal when it comes to dental health. So, which ones should they gobble up, and which should be left at the bottom of the candy bowl? Continue reading to see the best and worst that Halloween candy has to offer.
Sticky and Chewy Sweets
Candies like caramels, taffy, and gummy bears are among the worst for tiny teeth. Their sticky texture makes them cling to every fang and molar long after the treat is gone. This allows sugar to sneakily feed on harmful bacteria over a longer time. To make matters even spookier, these candies are hard for saliva to wash away, increasing the risk of tooth decay.
Super Sours
Sour candies might be a hit with kids, but they may actually be worse than the sticky stuff. Treats like Warheads or Sour Patch Kids are double trouble to teeth because they’re sugary and highly acidic. This can weaken tooth enamel, making your child’s ghoulish grin more vulnerable to cavities and sensitivity.
Hard Candies
Biting down on hard candies like jawbreakers or suckers poses a problem due to the chances of chipping or cracking enamel. To add to the fright, these kinds of hard-shelled treats dissolve slowly, increasing the amount of time that your child’s teeth are exposed to the syrupy sweetness. This gives creepy oral bacteria all the time they need to feed, multiply, and eat away at your child’s teeth.
The Best Choices for Halloween Candy
It’s not all gloom and doom this season! Among Halloween candy, these are the best for your child to indulge in:
Chocolate
Good news for chocolate lovers! Plain chocolate melts quickly and is easier for saliva to wash away. In fact, there is new research out of Japan, England, and the US that suggests that dark chocolate can help fight cavities and plaque! So, grab some spooky dark chocolate and skip the bars with gooey centers and toffee bits.
Sugar-Free Gum
Sugar-free gum can also be tooth-friendly, especially if it’s made with xylitol. This is a natural sugar substitute that is known to reduce bacteria levels. In addition, chomping on this chewy treat increases saliva production, which helps neutralize acids and wash away food particles.
Snack-Sized Treats
If your child has their heart set on certain favorite candies, smaller portions mean less sugar exposure. Miniature candies or fun-sized packs limit the amount of sugar that gets into their smiles at once, reducing their risk of cavities.
Halloween candy doesn’t have to be scary for your child’s dental health. By choosing better options and practicing good oral hygiene, your child can enjoy the holiday while keeping their teeth safe. With a little planning, you can make this Halloween both fun and tooth-friendly!
About the Author
Dr. Nisha Mehta is a passionate pediatric dentist with a dental doctorate and specialty training from the University of Illinois Chicago. Today, she has the highest level of education in pediatric dentistry and has been named one of America’s Top Dentists! So, before the spooky fun begins, call (281) 849-3003 to schedule a checkup for your child at Wellspring Pediatric Dentistry. You can also visit our website to see a full menu of other treatments and services we offer.