It’s that time of year, again … Halloween. Picking the perfect candy isn’t as easy as some may think: You have to strike the perfect balance between what the neighborhood kids love and what you won’t eat before the 31st even hits. The truth is, you can pick treats that are favored by the ghosts and goblins who come to your door and won’t harm their teeth (or yours). What are they? Click here to learn more.
Candy Basics
Different types of candy do different things to your teeth. Know what to choose and what to avoid to prevent decay.
- Choose
- Dark chocolate, as it is lower in sugar than other chocolates and, as some studies suggest, might have additional health benefits.
- Sugar-free hard candy that stimulates the production of saliva, your body’s natural defense against plaque.
- Sugar-free gum, which not only increases saliva production, but can also help clean teeth by dislodging small food particles that get stuck between teeth and in the grooves of the molars.
- Avoid
- Sticky or gummy candies, which are easily trapped in the crevices of your teeth where it is difficult for saliva to wash the sugars away naturally.
- Sour candies, as not only do they stick to the teeth, they also damage tooth enamel due to their acidity.
- Extra sweet treats that are made with little other than corn syrup and sugar, such as candy corn.
You Can Still Indulge
Since you can’t control what your neighbors buy and distribute to your little ones, know what to do when eating Halloween candy is unavoidable.
- Timing — Saliva production increases during meals to aid with digestion, but it also helps neutralize acids in the mouth and wash away food particles. Because of this, the best time to eat candy is shortly after mealtime. For added protection, drink a tall glass of water after you finish.
- Brushing — When you eat or drink anything acidic, such as sour candies or carbonated sodas, your enamel becomes temporarily weakened. If you or your family indulge in these this Halloween, wait 30 minutes before brushing to avoid causing further damage to your enamel.
I want you to enjoy this time of year with your friends and family, but there is no need to let Halloween treats ruin your smile. If you do happen to have a candy-related tooth injury, I’ll be right here to make sure you don’t end up with a toothy jack-o’-lantern grin.
