Halloween is coming up quickly, and it will bring along a flurry of costumes, eerie decorations, and, of course, a lot of candy. While it is a season of enjoyment and excess, it is also a time when oral health is affected. These sugar-coated treats that characterize the holiday are many of the leading actors in causing cavities and other oral problems. Let’s say you have braces, for example, it’s important to know the Halloween candy to avoid with braces for a worry-free October and beyond.
Being aware of which candies have most potential to do you a lot of damage can let you make better choices, without having to give up celebrations entirely. This guide from Dr Angela and the team at Palm Beach Orthodontics will walk you through the worst candies for oral health and suggest some better options so that you can have a happy cavity-free Halloween. As you get ready to dive into your October Halloween candy, keep these important tips in mind for the sake of your teeth.
The Very Worst Treats for Your Teeth
Not all the common Halloween treats are created equal when it comes to how they will treat your oral health. Some candies are particularly dangerous because of what they’re made of and what they’ll do to your teeth. Below are the top three to watch out for in your trick-or-treat bucket. If you’re searching for candy to avoid this Halloween, this list should be your first resource.
Sticky and Chewy Candies
Candies like caramels, taffy, and gummy worms are among the worst things for your teeth. Because they’re sticky, they stick to your tooth surface and get stuck between your teeth in crevices. This longer period of contact means sugar gets to feed more of the harmful bacteria in your mouth that produce acids to corrode tooth enamel and create cavities.
It can be a long while before your saliva works to wash away these sticky deposits on its own, so they’re a constant threat. Dental professionals specializing in orthodontics in West Palm Beach, like us, warn about the risks these candies pose to both braces and enamel.
Hard Candies
Hard candies such as lollipops and jawbreakers form a two-pronged danger to your oral health. Firstly, they dissolve in your mouth gradually so that your teeth are bathed in sugar for long periods. This constant sugar barrage creates a highly acidic environment, which is just perfect for creating cavities.
Secondly, breaking a hard candy is a very dangerous activity. The pressure that must be generated to crack a hard candy is sufficient to chip or break a tooth, causing unnecessary appointments with our team.
Sour Candies
Sour candies are getting increasingly trendy, yet they’re especially rough on your pearly whites. Their sour taste is a result of a concentrated volume of acids comparable to those in oranges or lemons. These acids have a direct erosive effect on tooth enamel, stripping it away and thinning out the protective covering of your tooth.
When you’ve lost this enamel layer, your teeth are that much more susceptible to rot as well as sensitivity. Mixing this acidity with sugar makes sour candies a highly potent concoction of dental disasters. Remember, Halloween candy and dental health go hand in hand – make smart choices to protect your smile.
Better Candy Substitutes
The good news is that you don’t necessarily have to steer clear of all of that Halloween candy. Some of it is less destructive to your teeth. Chocolate is a good example, especially dark chocolate. This is quick to dissolve and harder to leave behind on your teeth than sticky candies. Dark chocolate is also lower in sugar than milk chocolate and is infused with compounds that have been found to thwart bacteria. Sugarless gum and candies made with xylitol are also good options because xylitol prevents cavity-forming bacteria from growing.
Have a Tooth-Friendly Halloween
You don’t have to give up your dental health to have a good time on Halloween. By being selective about which candies to steer clear of and which to indulge in moderation, you can keep your smile safe while still joining in on the activity. Be sure to brush and floss once you’ve had a taste of your special treats to eliminate any excess sugar and plaque – use mouthwash to rinse often. Making healthy choices will mean your Halloween will be filled with treats rather than tricks.
If you still have questions or concerns, just ask Dr Angela and the team at Palm Beach Orthodontics for tailored advice!