Halloween Candy and Teeth

With Halloween comes candy. Lots and lots of candy. Contrary to the belief that dentists love halloween because candy causes cavities and cavities mean more business, we would actually rather have you avoid getting cavities! Here is a list of candies that are very common and a little information about them and what they can do to your teeth.

Chocolate

Surprisingly, chocolate is your best bet. Most people might find this is a surprise. “Chocolate is one of the better candies because it washes off your teeth easier than other types of candy,” Dr. Ferraz- Dougherty says. “Dark chocolate also has less sugar than milk chocolate.”

Sticky and Gummy Candies

With great taste comes, comes great responsibility. These are the worst for your teeth as they stick to your teeth and are more difficult to remove. “This candy is harder to remove and may stay longer on your teeth, which gives that cavity-causing bacteria more time to work,” Dr. Ferraz-Dougherty says.

Hard Candy

Hard candies can cause fractures in teeth. “They can actually break your teeth if you’re not careful,” Dr. Ferraz- Dougherty says. “You also tend to keep these kinds of candies in your mouth for longer periods of time so the sugar is getting in your saliva and washing over your teeth.”

Sour Candy

The more sour a candy is, the more acidic it is. Acid is bad for your teeth and can wear down the enamel. “Sour candy can be very acidic,” says Dr. Ferraz-Dougherty. “And that acidity can weaken and damage the hard outer shell of your teeth, making your teeth more vulnerable to cavities.”