Halloween is all about fun costumes, spooky decorations, and – of course – candy! But not all treats are so sweet on your teeth. Some Halloween candies can do a lot more damage than others, leading to cavities, tooth decay, and even visits to the dentist. So, which Halloween candy is worst for teeth? Our dentist in Homewood takes a look.
Does your smile need a touch-up before the holidays? Contact Signature Smile Arts for preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dental care near you. Scheduling appointments with our dentist in Homewood, IL, is easy – just dial (708) 799-5353 for information and booking!
The Worst Halloween Candy for Teeth
According to our dentist in Homewood, these are some of the worst candies for your teeth:
Sticky Candies
Candies like chewy caramels, sticky gummies, and stretchy taffy are some of the worst culprits for your teeth. Why? These treats stick to your teeth and get trapped in hard-to-reach places. The longer these goodies stay there, the more sugar gets eaten by bacteria in your mouth, which leads to cavities.
Sticky candies are especially dangerous if you wear braces or have dental work like crowns or fillings because they can get stuck even easier.
Hard Candies
Lollipops, jawbreakers, and other hard candies can cause serious damage if you’re not careful. First, these candies sit in your mouth for a long time, constantly coating your teeth in sugar.
Second, if you bite down too hard, you could chip or crack a tooth! No one wants to spend their Halloween with a dental emergency.
Sour Candies
Sour candies might seem like a fun treat, but they are highly acidic. The acid in these goodies weakens your tooth enamel, and weak enamel means it’s easier for cavities to form.
The combination of sugar and acid makes sour candy a double whammy for your teeth!
Which Candies Are Better for Your Teeth?
While moderation is always key, our dentist in Homewood reveals more smile-friendly treats, such as:
Chocolate (Especially Dark Chocolate)
Chocolate doesn’t stick to your teeth as much as other candies, making it a better option. Plus, it washes away easily with saliva. Dark chocolate is an even better choice because it contains less sugar than milk chocolate. It also contains polyphenols, which encourage good bacterial growth while limiting harmful bacterial growth.
Sugar-Free Gum
If you need something sweet but don’t want to risk your teeth, sugar-free gum is a great alternative. It can actually help protect your teeth by increasing saliva production, which helps wash away debris and bacteria.
Candy Bars with Nuts
The nuts in some candy bars help break up the stickiness of the caramel or nougat, making it less likely to cling to your teeth. Plus, nuts have protein, which is a nice bonus!
Tips to Limit Cavities This Halloween
Here are some tips from our dentist in Homewood to limit dental decay on Halloween night:
- Choose chocolate over hard, sticky, or sour candies
- Drink water or chew sugar-free gum after enjoying treats
- Brush and floss 30 minutes after candy consumption
- Practice moderation, but have fun!
Visit Our Dentist in Homewood, IL, for 5-Star Care
Enjoy your Halloween, but don’t let your teeth suffer a fright! By making smart candy choices and practicing good dental habits, you can keep your smile healthy while still enjoying the spooky season.
And don’t forget to schedule a check-up and cleaning with our dentist in Homewood! Request an appointment at Signature Smile Arts here, or ring our front desk at (708) 799-5353 for information and scheduling.
