That haunting time of year is here. Halloween is such a fun time, with costumes, spooky movies, and trick-or-treating. Avoiding candy at Halloween can be very difficult. That is why Dr. Mike Henrickson and our team would like to tell you which candies are best and worst for your teeth and your child’s teeth.
Sticky or Gummy Candy
Gummy worms, caramel, and the like are popular Halloween treats. These candies can easily stick to the teeth and stay there long after the treat has been eaten. To avoid potential damage, have your child enjoy sticky and gummy candies one piece at a time and make sure they chew thoroughly.
Hard Candy
Hard candies are among the most harmful to the teeth. This is because hard candies like lollipops linger in the mouth for the longest, thus giving the sugars plenty of time to damage the teeth.
Sour Candy
We suggest encouraging your child to limit or avoid sour candies, especially if they are sticky or coated in sugar. Sour candies are often very acidic, so they can weaken or damage the tooth enamel. This leaves the teeth more vulnerable to tooth decay.
Popcorn Balls
If you or your child enjoys popcorn balls, make sure to keep floss handy. The kernels can easily get stuck between the teeth. In addition, they are sugary, sticky, and sometimes hard.
Chewing Gum
Chewing gum is one of the safest Halloween treats. It does linger in the mouth, but the gum stimulates saliva production, which rinses the mouth and keeps bacteria at bay. To even further protect your child’s teeth, choose a sugar-free gum.
Chocolate
Chocolate is also a great Halloween treat. Part of what makes chocolate so great is that it washes off of the teeth more easily than other candies. Dark chocolate is the best type for the teeth, as it has less sugar than other chocolates.
We encourage you to contact Henrickson Dental at 651-777-8900 today for more Halloween tips and to schedule a visit with our dentist in Maplewood, Minnesota.