1. Dark chocolate
Dark chocolate is one of the safest candy options for your teeth! It contains polyphenols, antioxidants that actually help reduce inflammation and fight bacteria in the mouth. Next to milk chocolate, dark chocolate contains way less sugar, which can reduce the risk of tooth decay in comparison. Additionally, dark chocolate can stimulate saliva production, which helps wash away food particles and bacteria from the teeth.
With that being said, when making your candy selections this holiday, dark chocolate is a top tier contender!
2. Milk chocolate
While not as safe as dark chocolate, milk chocolate is hardly the biggest villain in the candy bowl. Milk chocolate melts quickly, which means it isn’t sticking onto your teeth for long periods of time. A simple sip of water or quick brush can rinse away any residue easily. On top of that, in terms of sweets, milk chocolate is not nearly as erosive as its other friends. In moderation and followed by good hygiene, enjoying a chocolate bar can be just fine!
3. Sugar-free candy or gum
No sugar means no fuel for cavity causing bacteria. Bacteria in your mouth feeds on sugar and produces acids that attack enamel. Luckily, with so many sugar-free options on the market, this can be prevented entirely!
Options such as sugarless gum stimulate saliva flow which helps to neutralize acids, wash away lingering food particles and strengthen enamel with natural minerals. Most choices out there contain sweetening ingredients such as xylitol or sorbitol, which do not cause cavities and can even go as far as preventing the bacteria that causes this decay. On the flip side, it’s good to note that these ingredients can cause upset stomachs or even bloating.
4. Peanut butter cups
In comparison to their caramel and taffy competitors, the peanut butter and chocolate combo doesn’t cling to teeth as dangerously. The peanut butter component can slow down how quickly sugar affects the teeth due to its included protein and fat contents. These sweets also have the ability to melt quickly, which really limits how long they sit on your teeth. Although it could be worse, they are still super high in sugar and can hide in the grooves of your mouth if proper oral hygiene doesn’t take place soon after enjoying.
5. Powder candy
Powder candy is straight sugar with no fat or texture to slow it down. With that being said, it coats your teeth and gives bacteria instant fuel. To add insult to injury, many powder candies are flavored to be sour or tangy, which brings an acidity that instantly erodes at enamel. Even worse, since no chewing is required here, your mouth isn’t producing any saliva to help neutralize and wash away the sugar. It is important to know that powder candy is one of the most cavity-causing treats you can eat!
6. Hard candy
When it comes to sweet treats, the amount of time your teeth are exposed is key, and with hard candies, it isn’t looking good. You keep hard candy in your mouth for minutes at a time, meaning teeth are basically bathing in sugar for these extended periods. That constant and long-lasting exposure is super dangerous for your oral health! Even though they seem solid, as they melt, they leave a sticky residue that clings to the teeth as well.
Not to mention, the risk of chipping or cracking a tooth is exponentially greater, especially if you are a patient with pre-existing fillings, crowns or weaker enamel in general.
7. Nougat or caramel filled candy
Now these are some of the stickiest and most cavity-causing sweets you can eat. Caramel and nougat are substances that cling tightly to tooth surfaces and get especially trapped in grooves and crevices of the mouth. This makes its hard to simply rinse or brush away in a single effort. Not to mention the damage that can be done when these candies get so stuck they pull on fillings, crowns or braces! With that being said, the high sugar and long exposure that comes with these sweets means nothing but trouble.
8. Gummy candy
Similarly, gummy candy is another on the list that could make any dentist cringe. They are a recipe for disaster, as they are extremely sticky, overloaded in sugar and known to linger. And don’t even get started with the one-two punch that are the sour options!
9. Sour candy
Sour candies contain a high level of citric and other acids, which can damage tooth enamel and cause tooth pain. Acids dissolve the minerals in tooth enamel, weakening it and making it more susceptible to cavities. They can also expose the sensitive layer beneath the enamel, causing pain when teeth meet hot, cold or other especially sweet substances. Acids are also known to irritate the gums, leading to inflammation and increased sensitivity.
10. Taffy & chewy candy
The scariest candy in the bowl! The difficulty of chewing these types of candies causes prolonged contact with teeth, weakening them and making them more vulnerable to cavities. And as we learned, when a patient’s teeth are coated in sugar for an extended period, harmful bacteria come out to play! To add, this is another sticky substance that gets caught in between teeth, which is difficult for normal brushing to remove. On top of that, chewy textured candy is the most common culprit for pulling out or damaging dental work such as fillings, crowns, and expensive orthopedic appliances.
We hate to be the bearer of bad candy news, and at the end of the day Halloween is about making fun memories, not fearing potential cavities. A little candy won’t haunt your smile forever, just practice moderation, drink lots of water and never forget to brush!
The bottom line: Not all Halloween candies are created equal; some are friendlier on your teeth while others are real cavity-culprits. The key is knowing what you’re dealing with, moderation, and good oral health habits!
