Keeping your child away from Halloween candy can be like trying to keep a moth away from a flame. This makes protecting their teeth from cavities during spooky season hard work, so you could use every advantage you can get. In times like these, it’s important to work smarter.
Not all candies are created equal, you see. With a little strategy, you can choose the best Halloween candy for your kids’ teeth – and leave the tougher customers to be forgotten about when the next holiday season rolls around. Keep reading to learn what to watch out for!
Sticky Treats Have Clingy Sugars
Taffy, gummy bears, caramel chews, and other ooey gooey treats are notoriously difficult to get off of teeth. While they stick to your child’s pearly whites, the sugar within clings on too, fueling cavity-causing bacteria and accelerating their growth. Even after your little trick-or-treater works this type of candy off their teeth, leftover particles can continue to hold on. Basically, it’s best to leave them at the bottom of the Halloween stash.
Sour Candy Isn’t Enamel-Friendly
Though it might get the most attention, sugar isn’t the only thing you have to worry about. Sour candies like Lemon Heads or Sour Patch Kids are highly acidic and will wear down your child’s enamel. As this protective dental layer softens, bacteria will have an easier time creating cavities.
Crunchy Munchies Are Hard on Teeth
Suckers and other hard candy are, for one thing, dental chipping hazards. For another thing, they also have a tendency to let sugar linger in the mouth for longer than you’d like, since they’re usually meant to dissolve slowly. Needless to say, this isn’t ideal when what you want is to eliminate bacteria quickly!
Smart Halloween Candy Choices
As it turns out, chocolate is one of the safest Halloween confections for teeth. It’s soft and melty, making it easier to rinse out or brush away, and some recent research actually indicates that dark chocolate can help combat cavities. Preferencing chocolate over other types of candy is a smart, subtle way to mitigate your child’s risk of tooth decay – and it’s one they’ll likely enjoy!
Limiting your child’s overall sugar intake will absolutely help prevent cavities and being mindful of what types of candy you have stocked in the house can give you an extra advantage. Help your child maintain good oral hygiene habits and make smart choices, and they’ll be able to enjoy Halloween for years to come!
About the Pediatric Dentist
Dr. Linda Steele has 30 years of experience in dentistry and has received special training for treating kids and teens. If you need help taking care of your child’s oral health and avoiding Halloween cavities, she’d be happy to lend a hand. To contact her office, call 972-640-7432.