Post Halloween Candy Survival Guide

Even though the ghosts and goblins are gone until next year, all the treats may be around for a while longer. So the tricks can still be played on your teeth if you are not careful.

Why you ask? The bacteria in your mouth are probably more excited to eat Halloween candy than you are. When the bacteria eat the sugar and leftover food in your mouth, a weak acid is produced. That acid is what can contribute to cavities.

To help you sort through the trick-or-treat bag loot, we have a rundown of some common candies and their impact on your teeth:

Chocolate

Chocolate is probably your best bet, which is good because it’s also one of the most popular kinds of candy handed out on Halloween. Chocolate is one of the better candies because it washes off your teeth easier than other types of candy. Dark chocolate also has less sugar than milk chocolate.

Sticky and Gummy Candies

Be picky if it’s sticky. These are some of the worst candies for your teeth. Sticky candy is harder to remove and may stay longer on your teeth, which gives that cavity-causing bacteria more time to work.

Hard Candy

Hard candies are also ones to watch on Halloween. “They can break your teeth and kids also tend to keep these kinds of candies in their mouth for longer period of time so the sugar is getting in your saliva and washing over your teeth.

Sour Candy

You might want to pass on things that make you pucker – especially if they are sticky and coated in sugar. Sour candy can be very acidic which can weaken and damage the hard outer shell of your teeth, making your teeth more vulnerable to cavities.

Popcorn Balls

Have some floss handy if you’re enjoying one of these fall favorites. Kernels can get stuck in-between your teeth and they are also sticky, sugary and can be hard.”

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Does your child miss too much school?

Children with oral health problems are 3x more likely to miss school due to dental pain than children with no oral health problems.

What's the most common childhood disease?

The single most common chronic childhood disease is tooth decay, which is 5 times more common than asthma, 4 times more common than early childhood obesity, and 20 times more common than diabetes.

Can you catch a cavity?

YES! Please discuss with us at your next visit.

How common are dental caries?

Dental Caries is five times more common than asthma and seven times more common than hay fever.