No one wants your kids to give up trick-or-treating, but Irene Zaki, DDS, and our team at Happy Teeth Children's Dentistry in Riverside, California, do want you to avoid dental problems.
To that end, Dr. Zaki breaks down the best and worst Halloween treats for your kids’ teeth.
Sour candies, including powders, are highly acidic and can weaken or erode tooth enamel, leaving teeth more vulnerable to damage and decay.
Sticky candies like gummies and caramels get trapped in the deep grooves of the teeth, giving harmful oral bacteria a continuous supply of sugar.
The longer those sugars coat your teeth, the higher your risk of enamel damage and cavities. This applies to caramel-coated and candied apples, too. Don’t let the fruit fool you; those coatings are hard on your teeth.
Because tooth decay and cavities happen not only because of what’s on your teeth, but also because of how long it stays there, anything you keep in your mouth for a long time can be a problem. So that lollipop your kids suck on for a half-hour is worse than something they chew and swallow right away.
Some of the worst of these are candy apples and popcorn balls (kernels can get trapped under your gums).
Hard candy can also cause chips, cracks, and breaks.
Better Halloween treats for your teeth
While moderation is the best strategy when it comes to sugary treats, some of the better ones are:
Chocolate is easier to rinse off your teeth than other types of candy. That doesn’t mean that it doesn’t leave residue, just that it leaves less than others.
To further reduce the impact, choose dark chocolate. It has less sugar and has a deeper, richer chocolate flavor.
Sugar-free candy can reduce your child's exposure to cavity-causing sugars, although it's still best enjoyed in moderation. If your child is old enough to chew gum safely, sugar-free gum with the ADA Seal of Acceptance is another tooth-friendly option.
Chewing sugar-free gum with the ADA Seal for about 20 minutes after eating can increase saliva flow, helping wash away food particles and neutralize cavity-causing acids. It's also better to enjoy Halloween candy with a meal or shortly afterward, when your mouth is already producing extra saliva.
To counteract the candy your kids consume, follow Dr. Zaki’s simple rules:
With these simple strategies, your child can enjoy Halloween treats while still taking good care of their teeth. For more preventive tips, or if it's time for a routine checkup, schedule a visit with our friendly team today.
