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Beware of These Halloween Candies: The Worst Treats for Your Teeth
As Halloween approaches in Everett, the excitement of trick-or-treating brings in the potential risk to your dental health. While handing out sugary, sticky treats has been a beloved tradition for decades, it can take a toll on your teeth. We have discussed the worst types of candies for your dental health and the best share the best ways to enjoy Halloween candies or sweets without risking your smile.
Hard Candies
- Hard candies, like lollipops and jawbreakers, are particularly harmful to your teeth. First, they contain loads of sugar. Second, it takes time to consume them. Since these candies are meant to be enjoyed slowly, your teeth are exposed to sugar for longer periods.
This gives harmful bacteria more time to produce plaque and cause tooth decay. This extended exposure also makes cavities easier to form, making hard candies one of the risks to dental health.
Sour Candies
- Sour or powdery candies might give you that tangy kick, but they’re tough on your teeth. They contain sugar, which feeds bacteria that cause cavities. In addition, they’re also highly acidic. This acid can weaken your tooth enamel, making it easier for cavities to form.
If the sour candy is also chewy or gummy, it’s even worse, as the sticky texture allows it to cling to your teeth, giving bacteria more time to cause damage. So, while these candies are fun to eat, they aren’t an ideal choice when it comes to your dental health.
Popcorn
- Popcorn itself can be a healthy snack, but the kind you often see at Halloween, coated in sticky caramel or hard toffee, is different. These sugary coatings can easily lead to tooth decay, especially if the kernels get stuck in your teeth or gum line, which happens quite often.
The risk is even higher for people with braces or dental issues, as the sticky, hard coatings can cause more problems, like broken brackets or damage to dental work. It’s important to be extra cautious if you have sensitive teeth or braces and avoid these sugary versions of popcorn.
Chewy Candies
- Chewy candies like caramels and taffy are not only loaded with sugar but are also very sticky. This makes them particularly problematic for anyone with braces or dental fillings. They can get lodged between teeth or stick to dental appliances, making it harder to clean away the sugar and increasing the risk of cavities.
If you wear braces, it’s best to avoid chewy candies altogether to prevent damaging your orthodontic work or getting stuck candy in hard-to-clean places.
Tooth-Friendly Halloween Treats
- If you’re looking for Halloween candies or treats that are safer for your teeth, here are a few options to consider:
Plain Chocolate
- Chocolate melts quickly in your mouth, which means sugar doesn’t linger on your teeth for too long. Dark chocolate is even better, as it contains less sugar than milk chocolate. Plus, dark chocolate has naturally occurring compounds that may help slow down tooth decay by preventing bacteria from sticking to teeth.
It also contains theobromine, which has been shown to strengthen tooth enamel, making it a great choice for your smile.
Sugar-Free Candy or Gum
- While sugar-free treats may have artificial sweeteners that aren’t ideal for overall health, they’re a much better choice for your teeth. Sugar-free gum, in particular, encourages saliva production, which helps wash away food particles and bacteria.
The act of chewing can also dislodge bits of food stuck in your teeth, keeping your mouth cleaner and healthier.
Contact Icon Dental Center today for professional dental cleanings. We are one of the best dental professionals operating in Everett and Seattle. Call us today at 206-225-2882, and let us help you smile with greater confidence.