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The Autumn is upon us again. Here in the Valley, that means we can actually enjoy being outside again. It also means that Halloween is upon us once again. While your child is thinking of which superhero they want to be this year, you might be thinking about how to protect their oral health once they have access to all that candy. While sugary candy is here to stay, here are some of the worst types of Halloween candy for teeth.
The Bad
Sour candies are bad for teeth because they have a higher acid content to them. Just like soda, the acidic stuff changes the pH in the mouth, which will wear away the tooth enamel. The powdery candies like Pixie Stix don’t stay on teeth very long, but they’re pure sugar, which also changes the mouth’s pH.
The Pretty Bad
Hard candies like lollipops and jolly ranchers are pretty bad, because they take a long time to dissolve. The longer food stays in your mouth, the more acidic your mouth becomes.
The Absolute Worst
Taffy and caramel candies do the most damage to teeth because they’re sticky. The longer the candy is on teeth, the more bacteria can feed on it and produce the acids that wear away tooth enamel and cause cavities.
While Halloween is here to stay, you can help protect your child’s mouth (and, let’s be honest, yours as well) by brushing and flossing every day, rinsing your mouth after indulging by drinking plenty of water, and popping in a piece of sugar-free gum. The sugar-free varieties, especially the ones that contain xylitol as a sweetener, actually help protect your teeth from cavities by promoting saliva flow that rinses away sugars and acids. The xylitol also helps get rid of the bacteria on teeth. Great oral care and regular dental checkups will ensure that everyone’s teeth survive this Halloween season. If it’s time for a checkup, make an appointment today.
